Learning to Respect God

2002023

Subject: respect; awe for God

Introduction:

A. Ask: Are there ways in which my respect for God could leave something to be desired?

1. Few of us think of ourselves as being irreverent.

2. But…true reverence includes respect.

3. And…to many of us fail to take God w/the utmost seriousness.

4. e.g. what we are doing here this morning is serious. We need to prepare to worship Him.

B. We can be trifle w/Him & if not careful – serve God on our terms.

1. Sometimes we could come closer to being like the Laodicieans than we care to admit.

2. Rev. 3:15-17

C. Need to have what some have called a “radical respect” for God.

1. Radical is defined as “arising from the root; or source; basic.”

2. God should & must be the most serious concern of our entire life!

D. There are some things we cannot do & have the right respect for God.

I. We cannot be indifferent to God.

A. How many of those you come in contact with simply feel that religion does not matter?

1. many never take God into account as an active or practical concern.

2. Go about living life; no worry; no thoughts to spiritual life…or eternity.

B. Even Christians sometimes act as if other things were relatively more important than God.

1. Too often we neglect opportunities to learn from God’s word; we neglect opportunities to worship Him; we neglect association w/brethren.

2. If we are not careful – we might begin to believe that God can safely be regulated to the periphery of our concern.

C. Heb. 12:29 – in truth,…God is a consuming fire.

1. He is real!

2. Ex. 19:16-19; 20:18-19 – recorded how God’s appearance on Sinai caused people to tremble in fear. Must have been an awesome sight!

3. Heb. 12:18-29 – Christians have come to Mt. Zion. Note the comparison.

4. See esp. 12:28-29 – God must be respected!

D. Lk. 8:18 – Therefore – we must take heed HOW we hear! Lk. 8:18

1. See also Isa. 66:2b

2. Heb. 2:1-4

II. We cannot accommodate God to ourselves.

A. Sometimes we guilty of trying to “adjust” God or “fit” God to ourselves.

1. Maybe we try to “cut Him down to size.”

B. For example…we could find God & His will “intrusive” in our lifestyle.

1. Maybe there are things that we might be just a little embarrassed about.

2. Perhaps we have tried to moderate God’s commandments & make them more convenient and more respectable in current society.

3. Too many of us have sought only to apply the convenient things in God’s will – and have put off working on the more difficult areas.

4. Mk. 8:34-38

C. We ought to let God be God & let ourselves be His creatures!

1. We glorify God by giving ALL of self to Him. Some did not in times past & came up short.

2. Rom. 1:21, 25

D. If any accommodation need be made – let it be OUR accommodation to God!

III. We cannot compartmentalize God.

A. Commitment we make to God is to be all-emcompassing. Total! Complete!

1. We sign a blank contract w/God when we obey the gospel.

2. We can’t know what full ramifications of our faith will turn out or how much sacrifice the Lord’s service will end up requiring.

B. Sometimes…when we see what obedience is going to mean – we try to confine God to one compartment of life & keep the other part to self.

1. Two compartments of life – religious/secular.

2. This kind of thinking is flawed & will lead to disaster w/one’s spiritual life.

C. We cannot put God in some box of our own making.

1. 2 Cor. 8:5; Col. 3:17

D. There is no area of life where God is irrelevant!

IV. We cannot mock God!

A. When we speaking of “mocking” we mean: “treat with ridicule; contempt; to deride”

1. Ever seen children mock parents – when they know parents will not carry through on discipline?

2. Do what they please.

B. Gal. 6:7-8 – we must not take this disrespectful approach w/God!

1. Psa. 10:3-4, 6, 11; 14:1; 36:1

2. Need to be careful let we treat God w/less respect than we would another human being.

a) Mal. 1:6-8; Isa. 1:10-15 – too many content to give God the leftovers!

C. God will not be insulted or trifled with! Pro. 28:9

Conclusion:

A. To be near God with words – but far from Him in our hearts is to be in a dire condition!

1. Isa. 29:13; Mt. 15:8

2. Jesus rejected those who only wanted a superficial attachment to Him – Lk. 9:57-62

B. It takes an utterly serious, diligent approach to the matter of going to heaven!

1. 1 Peter 1:13-17

2. 2 Tim. 2:15

3. if God’s will matters at all – it is all that matters!

4. Ultimately – the person will not be able to respect himself who does not truly respect God.

C. Encourage all of us to:

1. think about God more seriously.

2. obey His commandments more completely

3. become totally involved in His work

4. give ourselves sacrificially to Him

D. May we radically respect God

E. How is your respect for God?

F. I N V I T A T I O N



Learning to Respect God 2002023 Subject: respect; awe for God Introduction: A. Ask: Are there ways in which my respect for God could leave something to be desired? 1. Few of us think of ourselves as being irreverent. 2. But…true reverence includes respect. 3. And…to many of us fail to take God w/the utmost seriousness. 4. e.g. what we are doing here this morning is serious. We need to prepare to worship Him. B. We can be trifle w/Him & if not careful – serve God on our terms. 1. Sometimes we could come closer to being like the Laodicieans than we care to admit. 2. Rev. 3:15-17 C. Need to have what some have called a “radical respect” for God. 1. Radical is defined as “arising from the root; or source; basic.” 2. God should & must be the most serious concern of our entire life! D. There are some things we cannot do & have the right respect for God. I. We cannot be indifferent to God. A. How many of those you come in contact with simply feel that religion does not matter? 1. many never take God into account as an active or practical concern. 2. Go about living life; no worry; no thoughts to spiritual life…or eternity. B. Even Christians sometimes act as if other things were relatively more important than God. 1. Too often we neglect opportunities to learn from God’s word; we neglect opportunities to worship Him; we neglect association w/brethren. 2. If we are not careful – we might begin to believe that God can safely be regulated to the periphery of our concern. C. Heb. 12:29 – in truth,…God is a consuming fire. 1. He is real! 2. Ex. 19:16-19; 20:18-19 – recorded how God’s appearance on Sinai caused people to tremble in fear. Must have been an awesome sight! 3. Heb. 12:18-29 – Christians have come to Mt. Zion. Note the comparison. 4. See esp. 12:28-29 – God must be respected! D. Lk. 8:18 – Therefore – we must take heed HOW we hear! Lk. 8:18 1. See also Isa. 66:2b 2. Heb. 2:1-4 II. We cannot accommodate God to ourselves. A. Sometimes we guilty of trying to “adjust” God or “fit” God to ourselves. 1. Maybe we try to “cut Him down to size.” B. For example…we could find God & His will “intrusive” in our lifestyle. 1. Maybe there are things that we might be just a little embarrassed about. 2. Perhaps we have tried to moderate God’s commandments & make them more convenient and more respectable in current society. 3. Too many of us have sought only to apply the convenient things in God’s will – and have put off working on the more difficult areas. 4. Mk. 8:34-38 C. We ought to let God be God & let ourselves be His creatures! 1. We glorify God by giving ALL of self to Him. Some did not in times past & came up short. 2. Rom. 1:21, 25 D. If any accommodation need be made – let it be OUR accommodation to God! III. We cannot compartmentalize God. A. Commitment we make to God is to be all-emcompassing. Total! Complete! 1. We sign a blank contract w/God when we obey the gospel. 2. We can’t know what full ramifications of our faith will turn out or how much sacrifice the Lord’s service will end up requiring. B. Sometimes…when we see what obedience is going to mean – we try to confine God to one compartment of life & keep the other part to self. 1. Two compartments of life – religious/secular. 2. This kind of thinking is flawed & will lead to disaster w/one’s spiritual life. C. We cannot put God in some box of our own making. 1. 2 Cor. 8:5; Col. 3:17 D. There is no area of life where God is irrelevant! IV. We cannot mock God! A. When we speaking of “mocking” we mean: “treat with ridicule; contempt; to deride” 1. Ever seen children mock parents – when they know parents will not carry through on discipline? 2. Do what they please. B. Gal. 6:7-8 – we must not take this disrespectful approach w/God! 1. Psa. 10:3-4, 6, 11; 14:1; 36:1 2. Need to be careful let we treat God w/less respect than we would another human being. a) Mal. 1:6-8; Isa. 1:10-15 – too many content to give God the leftovers! C. God will not be insulted or trifled with! Pro. 28:9 Conclusion: A. To be near God with words – but far from Him in our hearts is to be in a dire condition! 1. Isa. 29:13; Mt. 15:8 2. Jesus rejected those who only wanted a superficial attachment to Him – Lk. 9:57-62 B. It takes an utterly serious, diligent approach to the matter of going to heaven! 1. 1 Peter 1:13-17 2. 2 Tim. 2:15 3. if God’s will matters at all – it is all that matters! 4. Ultimately – the person will not be able to respect himself who does not truly respect God. C. Encourage all of us to: 1. think about God more seriously. 2. obey His commandments more completely 3. become totally involved in His work 4. give ourselves sacrificially to Him D. May we radically respect God E. How is your respect for God? F. I N V I T A T I O N