Three Questions that Everyone Asks: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!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 betterA good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better

than silver and gold.” – Pr. 22:1than silver and gold.” – Pr. 22:1

• A name is a marker for one’s identityA name is a marker for one’s identity• There is equity or stored value in a nameThere is equity or stored value in a name• A man’s name carries the character or integrity of the man A man’s name carries the character or integrity of the man (or lack of (or lack of

it)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 IdentityChoosing Your Identity

““But Moses said to God, ‘But Moses said to God, ‘Who am IWho am I, that I should go to Pharaoh,, that I should go to Pharaoh,

and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?’” – Ex. 3:11and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?’” – Ex. 3:11

““Now they may say to me, ‘Now they may say to me, ‘What is His nameWhat is His name?’ …” – Ex. 3:14-15?’ …” – 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 allThis is My name forever, and this is My memorial name to all

generations.”generations.”

Choosing Your IdentityChoosing Your Identity

““You shall not You shall not taketake the the namename of the of the LordLord your your GodGod in in vainvain, …”, …”

Deut.5:11aDeut.5:11a

• Take (nasa’) = take up, lift up, acceptTake (nasa’) = take up, lift up, accept• Name (shem) = name, reputationName (shem) = name, reputation• Lord (Jehovah) = LordLord (Jehovah) = Lord• God (elohim) = God or the godsGod (elohim) = God or the gods• Vain (shav’) = empty, falselyVain (shav’) = empty, falsely

Interpretations of the Third CommandmentInterpretations of the Third Commandment

1) Using God’s name as a swear word 1) Using God’s name as a swear word (cussing or cursing)(cussing or cursing)

2) Taking an oath in God’s name and not fulfilling it2) Taking an oath in God’s name and not fulfilling it

3) Using God’s name in an authoritative sense, whereby God and 3) Using God’s name in an authoritative sense, whereby God and HisHis

name are used to invoke His power to curse one’s enemiesname 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), 4) Identifying yourself with the Lord (the name of your God),

but living in such a way that it brings shame to His namebut living in such a way that it brings shame to His name

Breaking the Third CommandmentBreaking the Third Commandment

“’“’A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a 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 myrespect?’ 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 1:6Malachi 1:6

Choosing Your IdentityChoosing 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 When we choose a name (or embrace the one given), we are choosing an identity.choosing an identity.

We have been given two names or two identities:We have been given two names or two identities:

1) Our Family Name1) Our Family Name

2) The name of Our God2) The name of Our God