1. Reverence for God

2. A Godless Age  Nothing new, Psa. 36:1; Rom. 1:20-21; 3:18; 2 Tim. 3:1-5  Lack of reverence for God, for His holiness and His word  Warned of being affected by culture, attitudes, values and moral relativism of world, 2 Tim. 4:10 (1 Cor. 15:33) 2

3. Reverence of God Psalm 111:9  Fear (phobos): “terror, dread, awe”; dread of displeasing God, 2 Cor. 5:11, Matt. 10:28  “A falling down” before one who is superior, cf. Revelation 4:10  Godly fear (aidos) Heb. 12:28: “The fear of doing a shameful thing”, 1 Tim. 2:9  Reverence/Respect (entrepo): “Self- valuation of inferiority”, Heb. 12:9 3

4. Why We Reverence God

5.  God created us and sustains us, Revelation 4:8-11; Psalm 8:3-4 (9)  He is eternal and sovereign, with absolute power, holiness, majesty  We are His offspring, Acts 17:28-29 Why We Reverence God 5

6.  God is our Spiritual Father  Born into the kingdom of God by faith, John 3:3, 5; Galatians 3:26-27  Revere Him as children should… and "live", Hebrews 12:9 Why We Reverence God 6

7.  God is our Savior, Master and Judge, Matthew 4:10; 10:28  Wonderful to be under His blessings  Frightful, terrible thing to fall under God’s wrath, Hebrews 10:30-31  So, serve Him with reverence, Hebrews 12:28-29 Why We Reverence God 7

8. Where We Reverence God

9.  Everywhere! The presence of God makes every place holy ground  Wherever we are is “holy ground”  God’s presence made Horeb holy, Exodus 3:5-6  God’s presence in the sanctuary… Reverenced, Leviticus 26:1-2 Where We Reverence God 9

10.  God is to be reverenced by His temple (the church), Acts 5:11  Do not defile the local church, 1 Cor. 3:16-17  Use our bodies with moral purity, 1 Cor. 6:19-20  Reverence shapes our thinking, decisions and conduct, Hebrews 12:28 Where We Reverence God 10

11.  Example: Our Assembled Worship, Psalm 89:7  In God’s presence, John 4:23-24  Our conduct in the assembly must reflect reverence for God, Nehemiah 8:3, 5-6  Listen quietly, 8:3  Give God respect and honor, 8:5  Participate humbly and fervently, 8:6 (1 Cor. 14:40) Where We Reverence God 11

12. How We Reverence God

13.  Submit silently to Him, Habakkuk 2:20  Keep a humble spirit, Titus 2:3; James 4:10  Submit in all things, Heb. 12:9; Col. 3:17, 23; Psalm 111:10  Do not act without God’s authority, Leviticus 10:1-3 How We Reverence God 13

14.  Live holy lives, 1 Peter 1:15-17  Obey God’s word, Ecclesiastes 12:13  Turn to God’s word and away from sin, Psalm 119:35-38  Maintain shame toward sin and serve God with honor and piety, Hebrews 12:28; Philippians 4:8 How We Reverence God 14

15. Reverence of God  Wake up to righteousness and do not sin, 1 Corinthians 15:34  Be different from those who do not know God and do not fear Him  Live knowing we walk on holy ground  Dread God’s just wrath against sin, Hebrews 12:29 15