Having the Reverence For God:

Introduction:

Good morning, everyone. its blessing to be here with all of you and to worship God with all of you. Today we are going to be looking at what it means to have Reverence for God today. Point (1) The first thing we are going to be looking is what does Reverence mean, Point (2) why do we as Christians need to have Reverence for God and Point (3) for today is to see how does all apply for us today.

Point 1: meaning of Reverence

So, we’re are going to be simply starting today off with a simple question, What is the definition of Reverence? Well lets look at Google dictionary for a definitions. The definition for Reverence is “A deep respect for someone or something” we see the reverence that people had for God within the Old Testament, Lets turn in our Bibles to Genesis 17:1-5.

Genesis 17:1–5 NKJV

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

From this passage here we come to see the father of nations Abraham relationship with God, We see that God had appeared before Abraham coming to make a covenant between the two. God made Abraham a Father at an old age, and eventually the father of all nations, but we also see the the reverence Abraham had for God because if you look at verse three we see that Abraham fall down showing reverence towards God. another thought to process is that the people of Isreal would show reverence where God was lets turn in our Bibles to Exodus 3:1-5 Lk 22:40-46

Exodus 3:1–5 NKJV

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” 4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

From this passage here in Exodus we come to see the history of Moses and Moses was the leader of the people of Israel before the enter the promise land. God spoke to Moses through a burning Bush tell Moses to remove his sandals because he was standing on Holy Ground. when it comes to this passage about where God is, we need to have reverence when comes to where we worship with other Christians, we are here to worship the God and have reverence for for him we gather together. We come to understand that God is a Father figure to all who worship, and like children we should have respect for our Fathers this leads to another example of a casually father and son relationship. Let’s turn in our Bibles Lk 22:40-46.

Luke 22:40–46 NKJV

40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

From this passage here in Luke we come to see how Christ went to God asking to take this cup away from him, but Jesus realizing that no one could ever take this responsibility on. As Christians we see the relationship Jesus Christ had with God throughout the gospels. We see that Jesus would not complain, but would do the will of God. From this passage we see that Jesus had reverence for God, Jesus had respect for his father who was heaven, and understood that this was part of the plan that God had for mankind. As Christians and as Children of God through the death of Christ. we to need to have this kind of deep respect for God. Which lead us to our next point.

Reason why we should have Reverence:

which leads to our next question “Why do we as Christians need to have reverence for God? Well there are several reasons to have reverence for God. (1) first must come from Gen 1:26-28.

Genesis 1:26–28 NKJV

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

From this passage here within the book of Genesis, we come to understand that God created life. God created mankind in his image. we also understand that God gave mankind one job to take care of his creation here on Earth. (2) Our 2nd reason to why we as Christians should have reverence for God is that we as Christians come to realize just how amazing and powerful our God, and because of how powerful he we must realize the importance that our God demands reverence from his people lets turn in our Bibles to Exodus 20:18-21

Exodus 20:18–21 NKJV

18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” 20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

From this passage here within the book of Exodus we get to see the history of the people of Israel, and how they interact with God. we also get to see two different Characteristics of God, and why we as his people should have reverence for him. the first is that we see that the power as like before in Genesis our God has power over everything physical and spiritual. the second is that our fear of this power of God deserves reverence. Throughout scripture we see the history of God’s people, and how they fallen in a cycle of having reverence for God then falling short and rejecting God. from the Old Testament we learn from the mistakes the people of Israel. There are many other reasons why we as Christians should have reverence for God. The biggest and most important one for us comes from the Gospel of John 3:16

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

From these two verse here in the Gospel of John we see the God’s plan of salvation. As Christians we see just how deep God’s love for mankind is. By sending his only begotten son to died for all who have sin. from the scriptures we also come to understand that our salvation was bought at price the price was God’s very own son, who died a very horrible, cruel, and shameful death on a cross. not only that as Jesus was dying on that cross, pleading with God to forgive those who were doing the act, and those who had no idea that this was part of God plan for mankind. From this we can see that we as Christians should have a deep reverence for God and Christ. and our reverence should lead us to obey and trust in God on how God wants us to live. This leads us to our second point for the day.

Reverence for God’s word:

From our first point of the day we got to see the definition and the reasons into why we should have reverence for God. our next question is how do we require or how do we learn to have reverence for God? the question is very simple. (1) The first thing is that we should have access to a physical copy. (2) second thing is that we we don't have access to physical copy of it, we should have a digital copy on our phones. (3) The third thing is the most important one of all three things here, and that we who are Christians should have it written on our hearts. the answer here is God’s word (THE BIBLE). The Bible is also another reason in itself to why we should have reverences for God. Growing up, I attended youth group classes within the Church. I had an amazing youth minister who had great reverences for God. I was taught about something interesting about the Bible. The word Bible stood for something other than just God’s word. (1) Basic (2) Instructions (3) Before (4) Leaving (5) Earth, and I assume many of you have already heard this before. The Bible is gift and a love letter to God’s people preparing them for a life with God. As Christians understand who the real author is. Let turn in our Bible to 2nd Tim 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

From these two verses here within the letter to Timothy we come to see that Paul was reminding Timothy that everything was written was for future generations who chose a life for God. If we as Christians have reverence for God then should also have reverence for his word the Bible to teach us, to guide, to shape us into what God design us to be? Absolutely, we should let our reverence for God lead us into doing the will of God. Lets look at some examples to where we learn about the reverences of God through out scripture. the first one comes from Eccl 12:13-14

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 NKJV

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

From this passage here in Ecclesiastes, we come know this passage as the purpose of mankind or the whole duty of mankind is to serve God. how does this tied in with reverence for God and for God’s word. well as Christians we understand that reverence is having deep respect for someone or something. if we have reverence for God than we would also have reverence for God’s word. Solomon had great wisdom given to him by God. Solomon did everything under the sun, and came to this conclusion lets look at verse 13 here in Ecclesiastes, Our fear must lead us to respect God and his commandments Lets turn in our Bibles to Heb 12:25-29.

Hebrews 12:25–29 NKJV

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

From this passage here in Hebrews the writer want us to understand that no one can escaped the one who created the universe. all three were there when creation happen. God, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. now if we look at verse 28 here Christians have hope and a promise that they will receive an unshakeable kingdom. only if they continue in reverence and have reverence for God, by doing his will, learning to study his words, applying his teaching to our daily life, and learning to teach others what it means to live a life for God and his son Jesus Christ. As Christians we should understand the power of God. As Christians we understand that reverence for the words of God because they are his words no one else’s. lets turn in our Bibles to Ezra 9:1-4

Ezra 9:1–4 NKJV

1 When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.” 3 So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.

From this passage here we see the history through one of the prophet Ezra, who warns the people of Israel about how they were suppose to stay separated from the other nations, and not mix with them because of this had lead astray many of God’s people to the worldly gods of other nations. these people did not hold God’s teaching as they should. from this passage we understand that many of them did not have reverence for God as their parents did in the pass. at the end of this passage we come to see that they had realized the wrong they had done towards God in verse 4 the people tremble (feared) towards God. because they lack reverence to how God wanted them to be separated from the worldly nations. another example of fear leading to Reverence for God comes from the book of Acts 2:38-43

Acts 2:38–43 NKJV

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

From this verse here in Acts we come to see this is just right after Peter had given his sermon on the Pentecost about how we all should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Out our reverence for God we would want to walk and learn in his ways. we come to understand that baptism is necessary with our walk with God. As Christians if we have deep reverence for God and his words than we would do thing that are require from God through his words which come through the Bible, because we see how the people had realize what they had done to the Christ, and those who had understand what they had done went to the Apostles out of fear and reverence for God. another verse we can look at comes from Is 1:16-20

Isaiah 1:16–20 NKJV

16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

From this passage here Isaiah we come to see that the Prophet Isaiah was calling Judea for their sins against God and that we see that God wants have a relationship with his people, but change for God, our reverence for God must lead us to changing our life to how God wants his people to live.

Conclusion:

Today we learn that reverence means deep respect for God, and we see example throughout scripture, then we learn why should we have reverence for God because of the things he does for mankind and finally we learn if we have reverence for God than we should also have reverence for God word because it is a gift and a love letter to allow us to get to know the creator of life. I may not know what you struggle within this life, But God does, and God does cares for all who seek him, who wish to learn about him, to do his will over their own desires. If you have questions or if you wish to have opportunity to join God’s family please come forward as we stand and sing.