No Vain Thing
Scripture Focus
Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
(Exodus 20:7 CSB)
The First Command — “I am Yahweh, your Elohim. Have no other God’s before me.”
The Second Command - “Do not make an idol for yourself.”
The Third Command — “Do not bear the name of Yahweh your Elohim in an empty way.”
“Buechner is my name. It is pronounced Beek-ner. If somebody mispronounces it in some foolish way, I have the feeling that what's foolish is me. If somebody forgets it, I feel that it's I who am forgotten… I can't imagine myself with any other name. If my name were different, I would be different. When I tell you my name, I have given you a hold over me that you didn't have before. If you call it out, I stop, look, and listen whether I want to or not.”
— Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark
Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
(Exodus 20:7 CSB)
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
— Brennan Manning
This is what the Lord of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the Lord’s mouth. They keep on saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord has spoken: You will have peace.’ They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’ I did not send out these prophets, yet they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. If they had really stood in my council, they would have enabled my people to hear my words and would have turned them from their evil ways and their evil deeds.
Am I a God who is only near and not a God who is far away? Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him? Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my name have said: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ I am against those who prophesy false dreams telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people” — this is the Lord’s declaration.
(Jeremiah 23:16-17, 21-25, 32 CSB)
Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? For God said: ‘Honor your father and your mothers; and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.‘ But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple,” he does not have to honor his father.’ In this way, you have nullified the word of God because of your tradition. Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.
(Matthew 15:3-9 CSB)
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name? ’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’
(Matthew 7:21-23CSB)
For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.
(Romans 2:24 CSB)
How do we misuse God’s Name?
- Hollow Religious Performance
- Using God to Endorse Our Agendas
- Hypocrisy that Misrepresents His Character
How do we Honor God’s Name?
- In Our Work and Professional Life
- In Our Family and Close Relationships
- In Our Community and Neighborhood
- In Our Church Community and Our Gathered Worship
- In Our Public Life and on Our Social Media
- In Our Suffering and Hardship
To take God's Name in vain is to carry it as an empty, weightless, or self-serving thing. To bear it honorably is to carry it with the full weight of who he actually is — his holiness, love, justice, mercy, and truth — and to let that shape everything: our speech, our relationships, our work, our worship, and our witness. The Name is not merely spoken; it is lived.
Coming Up!
Seniors Gathering Potluck
Join us for a relaxed and fun afternoon of connection, creativity, and great food! Theme: Indoor Picnic and Show & Tell Social! Everyone has a story to share—and we’d love to see yours. Learn more.
🗓️ Thursday, May 7 - 🕖 12-2pm - 📍 Coffee Shop (Building 2)
High School Lock-In
All Current 9th-12th graders, come ready for an epic night filled with games, challenges, and activities that will keep you going until morning! Eat dinner before you arrive. Bring a snack to share. We will also serve a midnight meal! Learn more & register.
🗓️ May 8 & 9 - 🕖 8pm - 8am
Women’s (18+) Paint Night & Treasure Swap
Paint night for the creatively confident and the creatively clueless. If you can hold a paintbrush, you’re qualified! Bring up to 10 items you’re ready to part with and leave with a new-to-you treasure. Also, bring food to share! Learn more & register.
🗓️ Friday, May 15 - 🕖 6:30-8:30pm - 📍 Coffee Shop (Building 2)
ADT Spring Summit: Real Life Discipleship
Lunch + breakout sessions + resources included. Register with the QR code above. Jesus has more for you—a deeper, life-giving way to follow Him in real community. Learn more & register.
This is for you if…
You’re a current or future leader
You’re curious about discipleship
You want to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus
You’re looking for real, meaningful community
You feel stuck and want something more
You’re ready to disciple others or be discipled
You’re ready to walk this journey with others
🗓️ Saturday, May 16 - 🕖 12-3pm - 📍 Coffee Shop (Building 2)
Fruitland Stock the Pantry
Help us provide healthy food items for Fruitland students who might otherwise go hungry. Donations for the Backpack Program may be dropped off at Lighthouse in the foyer. Learn more.
🗓️ April 17 - May 8
eNews
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