Reverence Let us be grateful for receiving a

Reverence “Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. ” -- Hebrews 12: 26 -29

True Worship is All about God It is not about ME! It is not about “Seekers” It is our response to a personal awareness of God’s presence and transcendent majesty.

What is Reverence? Not merely: -- Being quiet before, during, after service. -- Kneeling, bowing, standing at right time. -- Speaking eloquently of God (Matt. 15: 8) But: “ 1. a feeling or attitude of deep respect, love, and awe, as for something sacred; veneration 2. a manifestation of this; spec. a. bow, curtsy, or similar gesture of respect; obeisance. ” - Webster’s New World Dictionary

Reverence Shown by Saints Abraham (Genesis 17: 1 -3) Elijah (1 Kings 18: 42) Ezekiel (6 times “fell on his face”) Apostles at the transfiguration (Mt. 17: 6) John (Revelation 1: 17) These reactions fit the definition of the original words for worship in OT and NT. Not always physical—often emotional.

These reactions were not limited to visible evidence of divine presence. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. (Neh. 8: 5 -6)

God Expects Such Reverence When He is Visibly Manifested -- Ex. 3: 5; 19: 9 -13; Josh. 5: 13 -15 Whenever His people come before Him. us be who grateful fornear receiving “ “Let ‘By those come Me a kingdom cannot beasshaken, I must that be regarded holy; and thus let us offer to God acceptable And before all the people worship, with reverence and awe, 29 must beisglorified. ’” (Lev. 10: 3) for Iour God a consuming fire. ” -- Hebrews 12: 26 -29

The Lord is present in a special Way when we gather for worship. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. ” - Matthew 18: 20

Invitation to a “State of the Union” Message Respectful appearance Respectful silence Respectful Involvement

1. Respectful Appearance God prescribed the priest’s clothing. The contrast we are suggesting is between respectful and disrespectful— not expensive and cheap (James 2: 1 -4). Proper apparel for women is prescribed in connection with worship (1 Tim. 2: 8 -10). Appearance of men and women should be distinctly different (1 Cor. 11: 4 -7, 13 -15).

2. Respectful Silence “But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. ” --Habakkuk 2: 20 This is silence of acceptance – of respect that does not argue with God. We should avoid noises and distractions that take attention from worship of God. But, this silence does not forbid vocal and physical participation in worship.

3. Respectful Involvement True worship is not passive – it is active! The Bible is filled with bowing, kneeling, standing, lifting up of hands. (Neh. 8: 5 -6) Singing is commanded (Eph. 5: 19). Clapping is not authorized anywhere. But appropriate “Amens” are encouraged by example and inference. (Deut. 27: 15 -26; Neh. 8: 6; 6 times in Romans; 1 Cor. 14: 16) We should be careful not to disturb others.

Two Important Rules in this 1 Corinthians 14 1. “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” vs. 33 2. “Let all things be done decently and in order. ” vs. 40

Reverence is Personal Elders should plan for an environment conducive to worship. We should discipline ourselves to be reverent regardless. There is no excuse for irreverence!

“For I am a great king, " says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations. ” (Mal. 1: 14)