Stop Playing With My Name | Robert Madu | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Stop Playing With My Name

Social Dallas • Sep 27, 2026 • 55 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Pastor Robert Madu opens the "Name Tags" series by exploring Exodus 20:7 and the gravity God attaches to His holy name. God's names are not mere titles; they reveal His inexhaustible character, power, and identity, constantly inviting believers into deeper relationship with Him. By examining the Hebrew terms for take (nasa), name (shim), and vain (shave), Pastor Robert highlights that taking God's name in vain is far more than using bad language—it is carrying His name carelessly or falsely attributing divine authority to our personal desires. As a royal priesthood, believers are called to carry God's holy name with reverence, integrity, and devotion in every area of daily life.

Themes

The Holiness and Reverence of God's NameIdentity and Representation as BelieversTaking God's Name in VainKnowing God through His NamesDeepening Intimacy without Losing Reverence

Pastor's Points

1.

Take (Nasa) – To lift, bear, or carry God's name everywhere you go.

2.

Name (Shim) – Represents identity, character, reputation, and divine authority.

3.

Vain (Shave) – Treating God's name as empty, false, or attaching His authority to personal agendas.

Key Points

1.
God attaches a solemn warning to the third commandment, highlighting the deep weight and gravity of honoring His name.
2.
Every divine name revealed in scripture is an invitation to know God's character, power, and nature more intimately.
3.
God often uses life's greatest tests and trials—such as financial distress, sickness, or loneliness—to reveal specific names like Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, and El Roi.
4.
Names in scripture are not mere labels; they carry identity, character, reputation, authority, and destiny.
5.
In Hebrew, to "take" God's name (nasa) means to lift, bear, or carry it everywhere we go as a royal priesthood.
6.
God's name (shim) represents His holiness and supreme authority, requiring believers to approach Him with reverence rather than flippant informality.
7.
To take God's name in "vain" (shave) means to treat it as empty or to falsely attach "God told me" to our personal desires, ambitions, or preferences.
8.
Intimacy with God as our Father (Abba) should deepen our awe and reverence rather than lead to casual disrespect for what is holy.

Sermon Moments

“The test did not make God become that. The test put you in a position to discover what God had always been.”

“Every name of God is an invitation to know Him.”

“Taking God's name isn't just 'watch how you say my name'; it's 'watch how you carry my name.'”

“When did what was holy become so casual?”

“Intimacy should never produce irreverence.”

“Don't make hollow what Jesus taught us to hallow.”

“You can know God and still be getting to know God.”

This Week

Examine your daily speech and refrain from casually attaching "God told me" to personal desires or preferences.

Evaluate your conduct, integrity, and choices at work and home to ensure they honorably reflect the name of Christ.

Pray the Lord's Prayer intentionally this week, pausing at "hallowed be Your name" to re-consecrate His holiness in your heart.

In times of anxiety, financial pressure, or sickness, lean into God's revealed names like Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Jireh, or Jehovah Rapha.

Guard your digital interactions, DMs, and social media presence to ensure they reflect a life set apart for God.

Approach worship and scripture reading with deep gratitude and reverence rather than treating sacred moments casually.

Repent of any flippant or careless use of God's name, asking the Holy Spirit for grace to carry His identity with honor.

Remember This

Intimacy with God as our Father should never produce flippant irreverence toward His holy name; we are called to bear His identity with honor, integrity, and awe in all that we do.

A Challenge for You

Examine how you are carrying God's name in your daily life, repenting of any casual irreverence and praying, "Father, remind me that I am handling holy things and help me to hallow Your name."

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.