A Healthy Respect for God

Introduction:
Are there ways in which my respect for God could leave something to be desired? Few of us think of ourselves as being irreverent. But,...true reverence includes respect. Too many of us fail to take God with the utmost seriousness. Sometimes we are more like the Laodiceans than we care to admit. (Rev. 3:15-17) God should and must be the most serious concern of our entire life. There are some things we cannot do and have the right respect for God.

I. We cannot be __________________________ to God.
    A. Many never take God into account as an active or practical concern.
        1. Living life, no worry; no thoughts to spiritual life,….or __________________.
        2. Problem confronts Christians as well…
    B. We can neglect opportunities to _______ about God; _________ Him; or neglect association w/brethren.
    C. Heb. 12:29—in truth, our God is a _____________ ________.
        1. See Ex. 19:16-19; 20:18-19. Note how the people trembled in the presence of the LORD.
        2. Heb. 12:18-29—Christians have come to ______ _____________. Note comparison to Sinai.
    D. Lk. 8:18—we must take heed _______ we hear! See also Isa. 66:2b & Heb. 2:1-4

II. We cannot _____________________ God to ourselves.
    A. Some find God & His will ____________ to their lifestyle.
        1. Might be a few things they are embarrassed about.
        2. Some try to ___________ God’s commandments & make them more _______________ and more respectable
          in the eyes of the world.
        3. Some only apply the “convenient” things of God’s will.
    B. Mk. 8:34-38—we need to let God be _______ & ourselves be His ____________!
        1. Some fell short here—Rom. 1:21, 25
        2. If any accommodation need be made—let it be our accommodation to God.

III. We cannot _____________________ God.
    A. Our commitment to God should be _____-_________________. Total! Complete!
    B. Some try to confine God to one ___________________ of life & keep the other part to self!
        1. Usually subdivide life into two compartments: ___________ & _________
    C. We cannot put God in some box of our own making!
       1 . 2 Cor. 8:5; Col. 3:17
        2. There is no area of life where God is irrelevant!

IV. We cannot __________ God.
    A. Mock = “to treat with ________________; contempt; to ___________.”
    B. Gal. 6:7-8—we must not take this disrespectful approach with God!
        1. See also Psa. 10:3-4, 6, 11; 14:1; 36:1
        2. Do we ever treat God w/less respect than we would w/another human?
        3. See Mal. 1:6-8; Isa. 1:10-15
    C. God will NOT be insulted or trifled with! Prov. 28:9

Conclusion:
    A. To be near God with words—but far from Him in our hearts is to be in a dire condition! See Isa. 29:13; Mt. 15:8.
    B. It takes an utterly serious, diligent approach to the matter of going to heaven!
        1. 1 Peter 1:13-17; 2 Tim. 2:15
        2. If God’s will matters at all—it is ALL that matters!
    C. Let’s think about God more seriously! Obey His commandments more completely! Become totally
         involved in His work! Give ourselves radically to Him!
    D. How is your respect for God?



A Healthy Respect for God Introduction: Are there ways in which my respect for God could leave something to be desired? Few of us think of ourselves as being irreverent. But,...true reverence includes respect. Too many of us fail to take God with the utmost seriousness. Sometimes we are more like the Laodiceans than we care to admit. (Rev. 3:15-17) God should and must be the most serious concern of our entire life. There are some things we cannot do and have the right respect for God. I. We cannot be __________________________ to God. A. Many never take God into account as an active or practical concern. 1. Living life, no worry; no thoughts to spiritual life,….or __________________. 2. Problem confronts Christians as well… B. We can neglect opportunities to _______ about God; _________ Him; or neglect association w/brethren. C. Heb. 12:29—in truth, our God is a _____________ ________. 1. See Ex. 19:16-19; 20:18-19. Note how the people trembled in the presence of the LORD. 2. Heb. 12:18-29—Christians have come to ______ _____________. Note comparison to Sinai. D. Lk. 8:18—we must take heed _______ we hear! See also Isa. 66:2b & Heb. 2:1-4 II. We cannot _____________________ God to ourselves. A. Some find God & His will ____________ to their lifestyle. 1. Might be a few things they are embarrassed about. 2. Some try to ___________ God’s commandments & make them more _______________ and more respectable in the eyes of the world. 3. Some only apply the “convenient” things of God’s will. B. Mk. 8:34-38—we need to let God be _______ & ourselves be His ____________! 1. Some fell short here—Rom. 1:21, 25 2. If any accommodation need be made—let it be our accommodation to God. III. We cannot _____________________ God. A. Our commitment to God should be _____-_________________. Total! Complete! B. Some try to confine God to one ___________________ of life & keep the other part to self! 1. Usually subdivide life into two compartments: ___________ & _________ C. We cannot put God in some box of our own making! 1 . 2 Cor. 8:5; Col. 3:17 2. There is no area of life where God is irrelevant! IV. We cannot __________ God. A. Mock = “to treat with ________________; contempt; to ___________.” B. Gal. 6:7-8—we must not take this disrespectful approach with God! 1. See also Psa. 10:3-4, 6, 11; 14:1; 36:1 2. Do we ever treat God w/less respect than we would w/another human? 3. See Mal. 1:6-8; Isa. 1:10-15 C. God will NOT be insulted or trifled with! Prov. 28:9 Conclusion: A. To be near God with words—but far from Him in our hearts is to be in a dire condition! See Isa. 29:13; Mt. 15:8. B. It takes an utterly serious, diligent approach to the matter of going to heaven! 1. 1 Peter 1:13-17; 2 Tim. 2:15 2. If God’s will matters at all—it is ALL that matters! C. Let’s think about God more seriously! Obey His commandments more completely! Become totally involved in His work! Give ourselves radically to Him! D. How is your respect for God?