Hallowed: The Power of God’s Name
Big Idea: God’s name isn’t just a label, it’s a revelation of His character, power, and presence.
God’s name represents who He is.
Why is God’’s name such a big deal?
1. God’s name reveals His character. YAHWEH - self-existent, eternal, unchanging. (Isaiah 42:8)
2. God’s name represents His presence and power. EL SHADDAI - all sufficient one, powerful to bless and sustain. (Acts 4:12; Proverbs 18:12; Matt 18:20; Psalm 20:7; Rom 5:6-8)
3. God’s name guarantees His promise. (Joshua 21; 2 Cor 1:20a; Num 23:19; Deut 31:6)
Three Questions to Consider:
1. Do you know God’s name, or just know about it? God wants to have a relationship with you.
2. Where do you run for safety? We need to lay our circumstances at God’s feet.
3. Do you trust His name in your daily life?
PRACTICAL CHALLENGE:
Identify one specific area (work pressure, family struggle, personal fear, financial worry, etc.) where you will intentionally “run into His name” this week.
Practice declaring His character out loud over it: “God, You are faithful, God, You are my protector, God, You are present with me.”
Hallowed: Honoring God’s Name
Big Idea: God’s Name demands honor - so honor His Name with your words and your life. (Philippians 2:9-11 - “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”)
Because God’s Name is His identity:
1. God’s Name demands honor (Ex 20:7 - “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.) (Matt 6:9 - “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.)
“in vain” - empty, meaningless, worthless, false or deceptive
“hallowed” - set apart, sacred, treated with the ultimate respect see Psalm 1:8a
“take” - to lift up, to bear, to carry
“name” - God’s identity, character, and reputation
2. Christ followers honor God’s Name by how we carry it. (Matt 12:34b - For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.) Don’t carry, bear, or represent God’s Name in a way that is empty, worthless, false, worthless or disrespectful.
How are you carrying God’s Name right now? How about when no one else is listening? Col 3:17; 1 Peter 2:12; Gal 2:20
