Three Questions that Everyone Asks: Where did I come from? (Origin Question) Who am I? (Identity Question) Where am I going? (Purpose Question) The Most Important is the Identity Question! Who am I? Who am I? How you answer this question determines how you live. How you answer this question determines how you live.

“A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.” – Pr. 22:1 than silver and gold.” – Pr. 22:1 A name is a marker for one’s identity A name is a marker for one’s identity There is equity or stored value in a name There is equity or stored value in a name A man’s name carries the character or integrity of the man (or lack of it) A man’s name carries the character or integrity of the man (or lack of it) When we are given a name, we are given an identity When we are given a name, we are given an identity It answers the question, “Who am I?” It answers the question, “Who am I?”

Choosing Your Identity “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?’” – Ex. 3:11 and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?’” – Ex. 3:11 “Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ …” – Ex. 3:14-15 “I Am Who I Am” “I Am Who I Am” “Say ‘I AM’ has sent me to you” “Say ‘I AM’ has sent me to you” “The Lord,” “The Lord,” “the God of your fathers,” “the God of your fathers,” “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob” “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob” “This is My name forever, and this is My memorial name to all “This is My name forever, and this is My memorial name to all generations.” generations.”

Choosing Your Identity “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, …” Deut.5:11a Take (nasa’) = take up, lift up, accept Take (nasa’) = take up, lift up, accept Name (shem) = name, reputation Name (shem) = name, reputation Lord (Jehovah) = Lord Lord (Jehovah) = Lord God (elohim) = God or the gods God (elohim) = God or the gods Vain (shav’) = empty, falsely Vain (shav’) = empty, falsely

Interpretations of the Third Commandment 1) Using God’s name as a swear word (cussing or cursing) 2) Taking an oath in God’s name and not fulfilling it 3) Using God’s name in an authoritative sense, whereby God and His name are used to invoke His power to curse one’s enemies name are used to invoke His power to curse one’s enemies (the names of other gods were used this way in pagan religions) (the names of other gods were used this way in pagan religions) 4) Identifying yourself with the Lord (the name of your God), but living in such a way that it brings shame to His name but living in such a way that it brings shame to His name

Breaking the Third Commandment “’A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is MY Father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is MY respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise my respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Thy name?’ name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Thy name?’ Malachi 1:6

Choosing Your Identity When we are given a name, we are given an identity. When we are given a name, we are given an identity. When we choose a name (or embrace the one given), we are choosing an identity. When we choose a name (or embrace the one given), we are choosing an identity. We have been given two names or two identities: 1) Our Family Name 2) The name of Our God