This week’s text is Matthew 13:10-39. Jesus' parables on the Kingdom of Heaven - a sower spreading seed, a wheat field with toxic weeds mixed in, a sprouting mustard seed, yeast in bread dough; Jesus explains the parables to the disciples but not to the crowd; His parables conceal truth from those unready or unwilling to receive it, but reveal the Kingdom of Heaven to those who truly hear and understand.

This week’s text is Matthew 12:32 - 13:11. Pastor talks about the “unforgivable sin,” Jesus’ “three days” in the grave, and also takes us into chapter 13 where Matthew begins to focus on the parables of Jesus.

This week’s text is Matthew 12:3-37. Jesus continues to be challenged by the Pharisees' anger, bitterness and scheming as Jesus continues to show who He is. He shows us how a heart-change is needed!

This week’s text is Matthew 11:13-12:4, with a continued study of John the Baptist as fulfilling the prophecy of “Elijah who was to come” as he points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophesied Savior. The class continues exploring Jesus’ identity through the teachings on repentance and forgiveness found in Jesus, as we learn that it is through Him alone that we can come to know the Father.

In Matthew 10:29 - 11:15 we learn we are ambassadors for Christ with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The Holy Spirit enables us to be effective witnesses wherever we go. We are called to live for Christ, and that has phenomenal consequences both for us and for others. In chapter 11, Matthew shows us Jesus’ identity.

Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Exodus 3:14, John 8:58, Matthew 15:8-9, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 50:15, Psalm 145:18, Leviticus 19:31, Romans 10:13, John 17:6, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

This means we are to understand that God’s Name is powerful, God’s Name is Holy. This is the only one of God’s Ten Words/Commandments with a threat and no promise.

God’s Name is a 4 letter tetragrammaton and we aren’t even sure how to pronounce His Name because by 200 BC the Jewish people no longer spoke God’s Name for fear of misusing it. The Jewish people still today will not speak His name and simply refer to God’s Name as “Ha-shem” - “The Name,” though others pronounce it in several different ways: Yahweh and Jehovah are a couple.

God takes His Name seriously - it is not a swear word - His Name is the revelation of Himself. In His Name God reveals His identity and character to us. His Name speaks of His goodness, mercy, love and His awesome and profound holiness.

We dare not treat Hm or His Name lightly, In Exodus 3:14 God says to Moses, “I am who I am.” Deliver. Guide.

In John 8:58 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” Jesus is the Living God who has taken on human flesh to deliver us all. We are all sinners and sin, deserving the punishment Jesus took for us on the cross.

In John 17:6 Jesus is praying to God the Father saying, “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your word.” In these words, Jesus is the revelation of the character and identity of God. If you want to know what the invisible God is like you look at the visible Son of the Living God - The One through whom all things were created. God’s character is summed up in His Name. His Name is wonderful, holy and worthy of praise.

What is the misuse of God’s Name?
1. By cursing, speaking threats, judgements and swearing. Romans 12:14 tells us that we are to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
2. Through the occult - horoscopes, ouija boards, séances, eastern mysticism that open a destructive door in one’s life. Leviticus 19:31 tells us “‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
3. By deception - professing to be godly but in reality living a double life having a veneer of religion but having lives that deny it. Matthew 15:8-9 says, “‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” We should not use His Name to deceive others or to try to deceive God. We are to use God’s Name to give Him honor and to express understanding of His character.

What are some proper uses of God’s Name?
1. Receiving Him - Romans 10:13 tells us, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” God offers forgiveness, restoration, redemption, hope, peace and joy to all who repent and call on Him saying, “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner, I receive what You offer to me through Jesus, my Savior.”
2. Relying on Him - Psalm 50:15 says, “Call on Me in the day of trouble;
 I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” Psalm 145:18 tells us that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” When we go through difficult times we are to call on His Name - to rely on Him - because He is near, He is not distant.
3. Rejoicing in Him - In Psalm 40:3 we read, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.” We properly use His Name when we use it to give Him honor and praise and thanks. God’s Name deserves our praise and rejoicing. As we live a joyful life, especially in a world that is often falling apart - it causes others to be drawn to Him as well! THAT is an excellent way to use His Name - in sharing it with others!

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Is the Holy Spirit a "Who" or a "What?" Scripture makes it clear that not only is the Holy Spirit a definite person rather than a "force," but He is God!