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AM Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12.25-29

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

REVERENT LIVING

Hebrews 12.28

 Introduction:

1. Urging Jewish Christians to faithful commitment to Christ, the Hebrew writer contrasts Mt. Sinai & Mt. Zion (Heb. 12.18-24).
2. The writer follows with a solemn warning that implores his Hebrew brethren to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (vs. 25-29; esp. v. 28).
   1. Reverence [eulabeia]: “properly, caution; religiously, reverence or piety” (Strong).
   2. Godly fear [deos]: “awe” (Thayer); “reverence” (Friberg).
3. What does a reverent-filled life look like?

REVERENCE BRINGS SINCERITY

1. “Let us have grace” may be rendered, “let us be grateful and worship God” (UBS Trans.); also “thankfulness” (Alford).
2. Thankful hearts sincerely reverence God in all things!
   1. The healed Samaritan leper (Luke 17.12-19).
   2. We too should “give glory to God,” because we have been cleansed from something much worse than leprosy!

REVERENCE BRINGS SELFLESSNESS

1. “By which we may serve God,” indicates an action that is God-centered, not self-centered.
2. Only a selfless attitude can truly reverence God!
   1. The Pharisee vs. the tax collector (Luke 18.9-14).
   2. Having reverence for God means understanding that we are hopelessly lost and are nothing without Him!

REVERENCE BRINGS SACRIFICE

1. “Serve God acceptably” further qualifies the extent of our service. [euaŕestōs: “well pleasing to one” (Thayer).]
2. The level of reverence will determine the level of sacrifice!
   1. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice…” (Rom. 12.1).
   2. If we truly reverence God as the greatest reality of the universe, we will give our lives to Him!

Conclusion: What level of reverence do we display towards God? Is it sincere, selfless and sacrificial? We should know – God does!