Sermon: Hallowed Be Thy Name
Scripture: Matthew 6:9
In this week’s lessons, we learn more of who God is, and what it means to hallow His name.
Theme: Creator and Redeemer
We need to ask whether we honor God as ruler of heaven and earth. We do not honor him as ruler of earth when we doubt His sovereignty in our lives and in the lives of others. We do not honor Him when we complain about the state of the world or ask how we are ever going to get through this week, this month, or this year. We honor Him when we acknowledge Him as the One who does all things well, who cares for us, and who continually works (as the Westminster Shorter Catechism says) “to preserve and govern all His creatures and all their actions.”
Perhaps you have come to hallow God as Elohim and El Elyon. Well then, what about His very great name Jehovah, the name by which God reveals Himself as Redeemer? Do you know Him as the One who has redeemed you and who has saved you from sin?
Let me give you a verse from the early chapters of Genesis that makes this saving relationship clear. It is Generis 7:16. In this chapter we read that God had determined to destroy the earth with a flood because of the great wickedness of men, but we also read that with equal determination He had also planned to have Noah and his family within the great ark. God gave Noah the plans for the ark. As God the Creator, He told him to take into the ark two of every variety of animal. Then, as Jehovah the Redeemer, He also told him to take in seven of every clean animal, many of which would later be used as blood sacrifices for sin. The story continues, “And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him; and the Lord [Jehovah] shut him in.” Who saves? Jehovah! It is Jehovah who saves. This is the meaning of the name “Jesus.” It is Jehovah who first promised redemption to the fallen Adam and Eve in the garden. Jehovah spoke to Noah. Jehovah appeared to Abraham promising a redeemer through his seed. And in that exchange Abraham even learned the new name Jehovah Jireh, which means “the LORD will provide.” All of this we experience personally when we enter into Christ and are sealed into Him by Jehovah, our Redeemer.
Do you know God as your Redeemer? Do you know Him as the One who came in Jesus Christ to die for you, to lift you out of slavery to your sins, and to draw you back to Himself in love? You can never honor God properly until you honor Him in this great aspect of His character. For it is only in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, that we see the fullness of God’s love.
How about the name Adonai? This name means “Lord.” Is He your Lord? Is He the One to whom you give your highest allegiance? Is He the One who directs your life? You cannot hallow Him as Lord unless you do so practically.
Study Questions:
From the study, what is the chief characteristic of God in His name Jehovah?
What does the name Adonai mean? What are the implications for your own life?
Application: Are there areas in which you do not honor God as the ruler of heaven and earth because you doubt His sovereignty in your life or in the lives of others around you? How will you begin to honor Him in all things?
Key Point: Do you know God as your Redeemer? Do you know Him as the One who came in Jesus Christ to die for you, to lift you out of slavery to your sins, and to draw you back to Himself in love? You can never honor God properly until you honor Him in this great aspect of His character. For it is only in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, that we see the fullness of God’s love.
For Further Study: Jesus gave us this prayer as a guide for what our own prayers should include. But there is another prayer Jesus offered, just before his arrest and crucifixion. Download and listen for free to James Boice’s message, “The Real Lord’s Prayer.” (Discount will be applied at checkout.)
