Sermon - 3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain - Exodus 20:1-7

Sermon Series: The Ten CommandmentsSermon Title: 3. You Shall Not Take the Name of the LORD Your God in VainBible Passage: Exodus 20:1–7Preacher: Robin VonkDate & Time: Sunday, 15 February 2026 | 9:30 amGod’s name is not just a word—it reveals His character, His covenant love, and His holy authority. In Exodus 20:1–7, the third commandment calls God’s people to honour His name, refusing to misuse it in careless speech, empty promises, or hypocritical living.In this sermon, we will see that this command reaches far beyond avoiding certain phrases. It confronts the way we represent God with our words, our worship, and our lives. To bear His name is a privilege—but it is also a responsibility.This sermon will also show how the gospel speaks into our failure. We have not honoured God’s name as we should. We have spoken lightly, lived inconsistently, and at times claimed His name without reflecting His heart. Yet Jesus perfectly honoured His Father’s name. In every word and deed, Christ revealed the glory of God without distortion. At the cross, He bore the judgment we deserve for dishonouring God, and through His resurrection, He restores us to a life that reflects God’s holiness and grace.As part of The Ten Commandments series, this message will invite us to treasure God’s name, to speak it with reverence, and to live in a way that brings Him honour. Empowered by the gospel, we are not only warned against misuse—we are called into joyful witness, bearing His name faithfully before the world.