Introduction

A few years ago, many firms and schools started having casual Friday. Some type of company or school T-shirt is worn with jeans or Dockers. Since then, some have begun to question the practice and wonder if it hasn’t affected productivity in a negative way.

Our subject this morning is “Reverence in a Casual World.” There’s a place for the casual, but this morning we want to notice the place for reverence and respect, and honor as it pertains to God..

How do we define respect? It isn’t a matter of not being able to wear jeans to church. That isn’t the issue. It isn’t just clothing, it’s the way we do things, and even more important, it is our attitude. The Bible speaks of that which is profane, and it shows ways of showing reverence.

Body

I. The fear of the Lord is one expression of reverence.

As the Lord appeared in special ways, he sometimes asked special reverence.

1. One such example is Moses and the burning bush.

(Exo 3:4-5 NKJV) So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." {5} Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."

2. A similar example occurred with Joshua

(Josh 5:13-15 NKJV) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" {14} So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?" {15} Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.

The Psalmist indicates the great value of the fear of the Lord

(Psa 111:9-10 NKJV) He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name. {10} The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Closely associated with the fear of the Lord is the idea of reverence for God.

(Psa 89:7 NKJV) God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.

1. Fear and reverence are tied together in Malachi also.

(Mal 2:5 NKJV) "My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me And was reverent before My name.

2. Standing in awe and not sinning are associated in the Psalms

(Psa 4:3-4 KJV) But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. {4} Stand in awe¹, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

(Psa 4:3-4 TLB) Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. {4} Stand before the Lord in awe, and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation.

(Psa 33:8 NKJV) Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

If we are in the fear of the Lord, we will listen

(Mat 11:15 NKJV) "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

(Mat 13:13-15 NKJV) "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. {14} "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; {15} For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'

Another expression of awe is simply to keep silence in His presence.

(Hab 2:20 NKJV) But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him."

II. Reverence for God is a requirement of the leadership of the church.

A. Elders are to rear their children to be submissive in all reverence.

(1 Tim 3:4 NKJV) one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence.

B. Deacons are to be reverent

(1 Tim 3:8 NKJV) Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

C. Deacons wives are also to be reverent

(1 Tim 3:11 NKJV) Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

D. Titus was told that he was to be an example of reverence

(Titus 2:7 NKJV) in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

III. There is a place for the casual, but there is also a place to pause, to get quiet, and to stand in awe of Him

(Psa 46:10 NKJV) Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

A. In our worship service, we need to give Him our undivided attention.

1. We need to appreciate what Christ has done for us.

(Heb 10:28-30 NKJV) Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. {29} Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? {30} For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."

2. Paul clearly points out the seriousness of the Lord’s Supper

(1 Cor 11:26-30 NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. {27} Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. {30} For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

B. Develop an understanding of what is holy and what is profane..

(Heb 12:14-17 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: {15} looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; {16} lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. {17} For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Conclusion

I. Have you shown honor to God by obeying Him

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