Lesson 55

What are we asking God to do when we pray the First Petition?

What is God’s name? Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. his titles

What is God’s name? Exodus 34:5-7 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” all we know about him

What is God’s name? 1 Samuel 3:7,21 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. revealed in the Bible

Key Point #1 God’s name is his titles and everything else he has revealed about himself in the Bible.

What does it mean to hallow God’s name? Psalm 103:1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. It’s already holy by itself!

What does it mean to hallow God’s name? Isaiah 29:23 When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Hallow = to keep it holy

Key Point #2 To hallow God’s name means to keep it holy.

How do we keep God’s name holy? Jeremiah 23:28 “Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully,” declares the LORD. teaching God’s Word faithfully

How do we keep God’s name holy? Malachi 1:6-8

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ “You place defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ “By saying that the LORD’s table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.

How do we keep God’s name holy? Malachi 1:6-8 teaching contrary to God’s Word

How do we keep God’s name holy? Matthew 5:14,16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. living God’s Word faithfully

How do we keep God’s name holy? Romans 2:23-24 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” living contrary to God’s Word

Key Point #3 God’s name is kept holy only when Christians teach God’s Word faithfully and live according to it.

It might seem as if the command to teach God’s Word in its truth and purity applies only to public ministers, like pastors and teachers. But it applies to you too.

Describe a situation in which you would have the responsibility to make sure God’s Word was being taught correctly, even though you personally were not teaching it. Describe a situation in which you would teach God’s Word.

Agree or Disagree? Since we are sinners, we might not always be able to teach God’s Word faithfully because it’s impossible for us to avoid misspeaking at times.

Sandy quit attending church services. When her pastor spoke to her about it, she said, “You and the rest of the people in this synod are way too hung up over little points of doctrine. What God really cares about is what’s in people’s hearts, whether they really love other people, whether they’re sincere Christians.” How should the pastor answer?

If a pastor in another Lutheran synod teaches the Word of God faithfully 95% of the time, is he honoring God’s name or dishonoring it? Explain.

Agree or Disagree? Teaching what is contrary to God’s Word is worse than living contrary to God’s Word.

Agree or Disagree? It’s easier to teach God’s Word faithfully than it is to live it faithfully.

Lesson 55 I ask God to help me keep his name holy by teaching and living God’s Word faithfully.

Vocabulary… “God’s Name” God’s titles and everything we know about him from the Bible

Vocabulary… “Hallow” to regard as holy