REVERENCE IN GOD'S PRESENCE

REVERENCE IN GOD'S PRESENCE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Key Verse: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” — 1 Corinthians 11:28 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Exodus 3:1-6; Ecclesiastes 5:1-2; Psalm 89:7; Hebrews 12:28-29; Psalm 24:3+4; Isaiah 6:1-5

Description: Reverence in God's presence is an attitude of holy respect, humility, awe, and sincere devotion towards God. It calls believers to recognise God's holiness, examine their hearts, honour sacred things, and approach worship with the seriousness and honour that God deserves.

INTRODUCTION

God is loving, gracious, and merciful, but He is also holy, majestic, and worthy of reverence. The modern tendency to approach everything casually must never cause believers to lose their sense of awe before God. His presence is not ordinary, and the things that concern Him should not be treated carelessly.

In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, Paul warned the Corinthian believers about approaching the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. Their selfishness and disregard for one another had affected their fellowship, and Paul instructed them to examine themselves before participating. The passage teaches us that worship and communion require spiritual seriousness and self-examination.

Reverence does not mean fear that drives us away from God; it is holy awe that draws us closer to Him with humility. When we understand who God is, we approach His presence differently. We become careful about our conduct, sincere in our worship, humble in our hearts, and obedient to His Word.

1. RECOGNISE THE HOLINESS OF GOD

Reverence begins with understanding who God is.

a) God Is Holy (Isaiah 6:3)
God's holiness sets Him apart from everything created.

b) God Is Great And Awesome (Psalm 99:3)
His greatness demands our honour and respect.

c) God Is Worthy Of Reverence (Psalm 89:7)
Those who know God should approach Him with holy awe.

d) God's Presence Is Sacred (Exodus 3:5)
Moses was instructed to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.

Biblical Example: Isaiah's encounter with God's holiness produced deep conviction and humility (Isaiah 6:1-5).

2. APPROACH GOD WITH HUMILITY

Pride is incompatible with genuine worship.

a) God Resists The Proud (James 4:6)
God gives grace to those who humble themselves.

b) Humble Yourself Before God (James 4:10)
True reverence begins with recognising our dependence upon Him.

c) Tremble At God's Word (Isaiah 66:2)
A reverent heart takes God's Word seriously.

d) Walk Humbly With God (Micah 6:8)
Humility should characterise our daily relationship with God.

Biblical Example: The tax collector approached God with humility, acknowledging his need for mercy (Luke 18:13-14).

3. EXAMINE YOUR HEART BEFORE GOD

Paul specifically instructed believers to examine themselves.

a) Examine Yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Self-examination helps us identify attitudes and behaviours that need correction.

b) Search Your Heart (Psalm 139:23-24)
We should invite God to reveal hidden faults.

c) Confess Your Sins (1 John 1:9)
God provides forgiveness when we sincerely confess our sins.

d) Forsake Wrongdoing (Proverbs 28:13)
True repentance involves turning away from sin.

Biblical Example: David asked God to search his heart and lead him in the right way (Psalm 139:23-24).

4. TREAT HOLY THINGS WITH SERIOUSNESS

God's sacred ordinances should never be treated casually.

a) Honour The Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27)
Communion points us directly to Christ's sacrifice.

b) Discern The Body (1 Corinthians 11:29)
Believers must recognise the spiritual significance of the Supper.

c) Do Not Despise Holy Things (Malachi 1:6-8)
God rebuked Israel for offering Him what they considered unworthy.

d) Honour God's House (Ecclesiastes 5:1)
We should approach God's house and worship with care.

Biblical Example: Nadab and Abihu learned that God must be approached according to His instructions, not according to human preference (Leviticus 10:1-3).

5. LET REVERENCE SHAPE YOUR WORSHIP

Our attitude in worship matters to God.

a) Worship In Spirit And Truth (John 4:23-24)
True worship involves sincerity and authenticity.

b) Worship With Godly Fear (Hebrews 12:28)
We should serve God with reverence and awe.

c) Come Before God With Thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4)
Gratitude should accompany our worship.

d) Give God The Glory Due To His Name (Psalm 96:7-8)
God deserves wholehearted honour.

Biblical Example: The heavenly hosts continually worship God with reverence and declare His holiness (Revelation 4:8-11).

6. LET REVERENCE AFFECT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

How we treat God's people matters to God.

a) Love One Another (John 13:34-35)
Love is evidence that we belong to Christ.

b) Honour One Another (Romans 12:10)
Respect for others is part of Christian conduct.

c) Forgive One Another (Colossians 3:13)
Unforgiveness is inconsistent with God's grace.

d) Pursue Peace (Romans 12:18)
Reverence for God should produce peaceful relationships.

Biblical Example: The Corinthian believers were rebuked because their selfish treatment of one another contradicted the meaning of their gathering (1 Corinthians 11:20-22).

7. FEAR GOD WITHOUT RUNNING FROM GOD

Holy fear draws us into deeper fellowship with God.

a) The Fear Of The Lord Is Clean (Psalm 19:9)
Godly fear produces purity rather than terror.

b) The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
Reverence helps us make wise decisions.

c) Draw Near With Confidence (Hebrews 4:16)
Through Christ, we can approach God's throne for grace.

d) Serve God With Reverence (Hebrews 12:28-29)
Grace should never become an excuse for careless living.

Biblical Example: Moses initially hid his face because of God's holiness, yet God also called him into divine fellowship and service (Exodus 3:5-10).

8. CARRY GOD'S PRESENCE INTO DAILY LIFE

Reverence should not end when the service ends.

a) Honour God With Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Our bodies belong to God.

b) Do Everything For God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Every activity should honour God.

c) Walk In God's Fear (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Reverence should produce practical holiness.

d) Be A Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
Our entire life should become an offering to God.

Biblical Example: Joseph refused to sin privately because he understood that his actions were ultimately before God (Genesis 39:9).

CONCLUSION

Reverence in God's presence begins with a correct understanding of who God is. He is our loving Father, but He is also holy, majestic, and worthy of awe. The grace we have received through Christ should not make us careless; it should make us more grateful, humble, obedient, and reverent.

As we gather to worship and partake of the Lord's Supper, let us examine our hearts and honour what Christ has accomplished for us. Let our reverence continue beyond the sanctuary into our homes, workplaces, relationships, and private lives. A person who truly reverences God will seek to honour Him everywhere.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me a deeper revelation of Your holiness, majesty, and greatness, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from every form of pride and give me a humble heart before You, in Jesus name.

3. Father, search my heart and reveal anything in me that does not please You, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me grace to repent sincerely and turn away from every sinful practice, in Jesus name.

5. Father, teach me to honour Your presence, Your Word, and every sacred thing that concerns Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let my worship be sincere, reverent, and acceptable before You, in Jesus name.

7. Father, remove every bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, and division from my heart, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me godly fear that produces wisdom, holiness, obedience, and righteous living, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to carry the consciousness of Your presence wherever I go and in everything I do, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my entire life a holy offering that continually honours and pleases You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall grow continually in the knowledge of God's holiness and greatness.

2. Every root of pride and self-exaltation shall be removed from your life.

3. Your heart shall remain pure and sensitive to the voice of God.

4. You shall receive grace to honour God's presence and His Word.

5. Your worship shall become more sincere, deeper, and more acceptable before God.

6. Every bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, and division shall disappear from your relationships.

7. The fear of the Lord shall produce wisdom and righteousness in your life.

8. You shall walk continually in the consciousness of God's presence.

9. Your body, home, work, ministry, and relationships shall bring honour to God.

10. You shall live in reverence before God, walk in holiness, and continually enjoy His presence and favour, in Jesus name.