Lord’s Day 36: Q&A 99-100: Find Out What It Means to Me

The Third of the Ten Commandments, which is what we get this week from the Catechism, is about not blaspheming or taking the Lord’s name in vain. The writers of the Catechism broaden it out from there to even taking ‘unnecessary’ oaths in God’s name.

I find this commandment and its interpretations quite interesting, as things can vary wildly. Some would say that saying ‘Oh my God’ as an exclamation is blasphemy. Some would say that saying ‘God dammit’ is blasphemy. Others would say that neither of those are. I think of how in the Jewish faith, they will not even say God’s actual name, but substitute in the word ‘Adonai’ or ‘Lord’ rather than say aloud YHWH.

How do we make sure we are treating God’s name with the proper reverence and respect it deserves? How do we make sure we aren’t blaspheming or even, as the Catechism puts it ‘being silent bystanders?’

It can of course be difficult with something as nebulous as this when it comes to our everyday speech, since more heinous examples are quite obvious and are very rarely, if ever, actually seen in the church.

Lord’s Day 36

Q&A 99

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: As we come into this time of worship, let us praise the holy name of our Almighty God.

People: We come with reverence and awe into his presence.

Leader: As we pray, confess, and praise, may we glorify our God together.

People: Let us glorify God in all we do and say.

Q&A 99-100

GOD’S LAW

Again, this can simply be read responsively for this portion of the service.

CONFESSION OF SIN

Lord our God, we come before you today in reverence, recognizing that we have not treated you or your holy name with the reverence you deserve and command. We have taken you lightly by misusing your name and by silently standing by when others do so. Forgive us, Lord. Do not hold your anger against us, but in your grace remember Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord and Savior, who has paid for our sins by his death on the cross. You alone are holy, O God. Give us the strength not only to remember this but to enact it every day, Holy Spirit, that we may glorify you alone in everything we say and do. Amen.

SENDING

Brothers and Sisters, may we depart this time of worship together and go out into our various places in the world to glorify our great and mighty God with everything we say and do, for the glory of God alone. Go in his peace. Amen.