Respect
 
Everyone wants respect for who they are. 
 
However, the question today is…   Do you respect others?  Particularly, how do you respect God - His Name, His Book, and His Son?
 
I have a list of rules at the Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy.  For the most part, people are respecting my rules.  However, the one that isn’t being followed is the most important – don’t use God’s name in vain. 
 
Why is this important?  Because it isn’t my rule, it is God’s.  Check out the verses below from the Bible. 
 
 
Exodus 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.”
 
 
Leviticus 19:12 “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”
 
 
Matthew 12:36-37 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
 
 
Deuteronomy 5:11  “‘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.”
 
 
James 1:26  “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.”
 
 
Matthew 6:9  Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
 
 
Ezekiel 39:7  “And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.”
 
 
Psalm 139:20  “They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!”
 
 
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
 
 
 
We welcome both Christians and non-Christians to come hang-out at the Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy on a daily basis – to participate in our leagues, classes, tournaments, etc…  And we politely ask that you not use God’s name in vain…  not because it is our rule, but because it is God’s rule.
 
So what does God expect from us?
 
God wants us to see that we have sin, to trust in Jesus to save us from our sin by His death on the cross, to repent and turn from our sin, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit to help overcome sin and live wholeheartedly for God.  Even though your sin is great, there is salvation for you in Jesus.  He is ready to forgive you and save you.  Trust in Him today.