Bearing God's Name (Colossians 3:12-17; LD 36)

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The Apostle Paul exhorts us to put on Christ. We are exhorted to be consciously set apart in Christ Jesus. The hidden mystery, that is God's plan of redemption, has been manifested and shown in Christ. As we are joined to Christ by the Spirit and Faith we are called to walk in a manner that honors Christ. We are not doing this to become God's holy people, but because we are God's holy people. We clearly bring glory to Christ's name because of His redemptive work. We seek to discern what is pleasing to him out of gratitude.

God’s Comforting Oath (Isaiah 45:23)

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Israel is in exile when Isaiah writes chapter 45.  You would think that all is lost because Israel has failed, they are in a foreign land, and God should be done with them.  The Lord does not discard his people, but binds himself to deliver his people out of exile.  What does this deliverance teach us about God’s name?  What does this deliverance teach us about the Lord’s redemptive promise?

Absurdity of Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:20-23) (LD 36)

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We might think that blasphemy is not that big of a deal because it is just speaking a word that is careless.  So, if someone just says something that is careless then why does the Lord command the Israelite child to be executed when he blasphemes the Name?  Is the Lord just being petty? What does this teach us today in the church? How do we present the Lord as being a gracious God?  What is the real issue of blasphemy?

Living in the Name of the Lord (Colossians 3:7-17 (LD 36))

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I am sure that we have all heard that claims about God being some sort of mean ogre just waiting to swat disobedient children.  So, you obey this God only because it is better to obey Him than disobey Him.  People can claim this, but just because someone makes the accusation against God it does not mean it is true.  So, why would we want to obey and honor the name of the Lord above our name?