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Stand In Awe Of God
Luke Warm? “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:15-17)
See Jesus! “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.” (Rev. 3:15-17)
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (Psalm 33:8)
God’s Awesome Nature And Lukewarmness • The Creation: God Is Glorious! • The creation all around us constantly testifies to us about the glory of God - God is awesome! (Psalm 19:1-6) • A glimpse into God’s glory through His creation (Gen. 1:1-31) • His greatness is too great to fathom – See how vast the creation is! • God’s purpose surpasses our imagination – See His wisdom & design • God’s power is beyond comprehension – Spoke it all into existence! • God saved the most glorious part for last… God created us in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1:26) • Be amazed by God’s glory in His creation, but don’t forget that we are the apex of that glory! (Psalm 19:12-14) – Reflect that glory by living in His image and pursuing His likeness!
God’s Awesome Nature And Lukewarmness • Leviticus: God Is Holy! • Leviticus… Why? What’s the point? Why is God so concerned with details? Doesn’t it seem quite meaningless? • Leviticus shows us that God is holy. Its instructions build an appreciation of God’s holiness in men (Lev. 11:44-45) • Egypt had left a bad mark in their hearts and minds – See golden calf • Holiness: Separation, devotion, consecration, and purity (don’t do + do) • Leviticus 19:1-4 Be holy because God was holy… This issue of holiness was about relationship and fellowship… people God could be with • God’s commands were tied to their holiness. • Even giving was about learning “devoted to God” (Lev. 27:11, 28) • Learning what it meant to be pure, devotion, set apart, special, sacred
God’s Awesome Nature And Lukewarmness • Leviticus: God Is Holy! • God was building an appreciation for “sanctuary” (Lev. 19:30) • Tabernacle – More than a tent Gold, alter and laver, veils and separation, the people camping around the tabernacle • God’s dwelling place among the people – This was God’s dwelling place… God was there… It had to be a special and set apart kind of place • This was “My Sanctuary” – A place “holy devoted to God” • It wasn’t just about a tent… it was about what God wanted His people to be for Him. They were His sanctuary. A people “Holy Devoted” • God is Holy! If we want His fellowship & relationship, we must be passionate about holiness too… SANCTUARY! (I Pet. 2:4-10)
God’s Awesome Nature And Lukewarmness • Job: God Is Powerful And Providing! • Place yourself in Job’s situation – Suddenly losing everything. He perseveres and won’t give up on God (Job 1:21-22) but he oversteps the line in wanting to question God (23:1-7, 38:1-3) • God’s first questions: Were you there when…? Have you…? Do you know…? Job is silent! (38:4-5, 12, 16, 34-35, etc) • God’s second questions: Can you…? Job is overwhelmed by his inability to control God’s “pets” (Job 40:15, 24; 41:1-5) • Job isn’t as much about human suffering as is it the nature of God. God is in control and does what is right! (Job 42:1-6)
God’s Awesome Nature And Lukewarmness • Malachi: The Majesty Of God! • One of the first places lukewarmness manifests itself is in our worship – no desire for it, no passion in it, finally we just quit • Malachi prophesied to a people whose lukewarmness in their worship was dishonoring God (Mal 1:5-14) • Powerpacked words: Magnified! Great! Dreadful! Lord of Hosts! • Like Isaiah’s description of the majesty of God (Isaiah 6:1-3) • Their worship left a different description of God – One of commonness, unholy, not very special at all. They treated some men better! • Worship was polluted, burdensome, not serious, weariness, half hearted, and without any real sacrifice on their part… Just shut the doors! • What does our worship reflect? How MAJESTIC is God in our sight? What are we saying about God? (Psalm 96:1-9)
God’s Awesome Nature And Lukewarmness • The Throne Room of God: The Almighty God! • Imagine being in the presence of an important, famous, or powerful person? The Whitehouse or Buckingham palace… • John is given an even greater glimpse… He is given a tour of the palace of God – God’s throne room (Rev. 4:1-7) • John uses incredible imagery… normal words don’t reflect the splendor! • Notice how the word “AROUND” gets repeated… God’s throne is in the center of everything… everything revolves around His throne • A timely message – So much was uncertain and unraveling for these people… They could see the Almighty God ruling on His throne • In God’s presence: Worship, singing, bowing, amazement • We live in the presence of God , but do we live out His presence? The Almighty God is ruling, but is He ruling our lives? Is God at the center?