KEY PASSAGE
28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.
– HEBREWS 12:28-29
WORSHIP = MINISTER TO GOD WITH ACCEPTABLE SERVICE MARKED BY REVERENCE AND AWE
POINT: REVERENCE OF GOD IS YOUR REFERENCE POINT TO TRUE WORSHIP
REVERENCE = PROFOUND ADORING AWED RESPECT: SOBRIETY; MODESTY
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it would be paid back to him? 36 For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
– ROMANS 11:33-36
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your TRUE and proper worship.
– ROMANS 12:1
REVERENCE = TO ESTEEM , RESPECT, HONOR, VENERATE AND ADORE HIM ABOVE ANYONE OR ANYTHING ELSE
RIGHT WORSHIP = THE REVERENT RESPONSE OF GIVING ALL WORTH, ATTENTION AND AFFECTION TO GOD SIMPLY BECAUSE HE DESERVES IT FOR WHO HE IS
REVERENCE = TO HOLLOW HIM: REPECT GREATLY – HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME
POINT: AWE OF GOD DRAWS YOU INTO A LIFE OF INTIMATE WORSHIP
8 Let all the earth fear and worship the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
– PSALM 33:8
AWE = DREAD AND TERROR – GODLY OR HOLY FEAR
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
– PSALM 27:8
GROUP ACTIVATION:
THE RIGHT RESPONSE OF WORSHIP
READ: HEBREWS 12:28-29
- REVERENCE OF GOD IS YOUR REFERENCE POINT TO TRUE WORSHIP
READ: ROMANS 11:33-36; ROMANS 12:1
ASK: How well do I really know God?
- AWE OF GOD DRAWS YOU INTO A LIFE OF INTIMATE WORSHIP
READ: PSALM 33:8; PSALM 27:8
ASK: How am I answering God’s call to come close to Him?
PRAY:
God, thank you for calling me to come close to you and for coming close to me first. Forgive me for holding anything else in higher reverence and awe other than you.
Today, I say to you, “Lord I am coming.” I will minister to your heart with every area of my life.
Amen!