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Godly Fear is Humble Reverence
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingThe fear and trembling before God is more like reverence and awe instead of abject terror. It leads us to total dependence upon God with a desire to repudiate sin.
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty, Part Three: The Fruits
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughNot knowing God promotes irreverence toward Him, as Pharaoh's defiance clearly shows. Thus, not knowing God leads to disobedience. Knowing God, on the other hand, promotes the fear of God and humility before Him, fostering obedience. Understanding God's sovereignty works to remove every ground for man to rely on himself and boast. If we grasp His sovereignty, it leads us to praise Him for the glory of what He is: He is our salvation. Fully accepting God's sovereignty provides us the proper comparisons to wisely make right choices, turning us to submit to His will. As we live by faith, we must never forget God's loving wisdom that we are the clay and He is the Potter, shaping us according to His purpose. Fully accepting His sovereignty produces valuable fruits: the fear of God, humility, submissiveness, and uncomplaining endurance.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA proper recognition of God's sovereignty should instill in us a deep, reverential awe toward Him. This reverence is not merely terror or faint respect, but a balanced, abiding respect for His holiness, mercy, compassion, and authority as Creator and Head of His family. It is the foundation of wisdom, moving us to obedience and shaping our relationship with Him. Without this reverential awe, we cannot truly be at peace, exercise faith, overcome fear, or grow into God's image, as self-will intrudes and pushes His purpose aside. Reverence toward God, born from understanding His sovereignty, produces a chain of spiritual growth. It begins with humility, leading to the fear of God, which in turn fosters wisdom and results in obedience. This fear is not just for the unconverted but is vital for His children, marking our relationship with Him and motivating us to act on His instruction out of deep respect. As we see in the examples of Job and Isaiah, encountering God's sovereignty humbles us profoundly, revealing our own inadequacies and driving us to submit to His will. This reverence also begets implicit obedience, as modeled by Jesus Christ, who submitted to God's will even unto death with conscious, intelligent choice, driven by deep awe and love for the Father. Furthermore, true reverence promotes a complete resignation to God's will, accepting whatever He permits in our lives, whether good or bad, recognizing that everything He allows is for our good. Finally, it should produce unending thankfulness that He is God and part of our lives, even in adversity, leading us to a place of adoring worship of Him.
Worship God!
'Ready Answer' by StaffReverence toward God is a fundamental reason for attending church services and observing the Feast of Tabernacles, as it involves worshiping Him with a bowed-down heart and head. Worship, synonymous with adulating, honoring, glorifying, and reverencing, reflects an attitude of total surrender and humility before our Maker. It is more than a physical act; it is a condition of the heart and mind, where true reverence means having a heart far from vain practices and fully submitted to Him. The Bible illustrates this reverence through various accounts of bowing down and worshiping. David urges us to worship and bow down, to kneel before the LORD our Maker. Job, upon hearing devastating news, fell to the ground and worshiped, exemplifying profound faith and reverence. Similarly, when Solomon dedicated the Temple, the people bowed their faces to the ground and worshiped, praising the LORD. In heaven itself, elders and living creatures fall down and worship God, demonstrating the ultimate act of reverence. True reverence toward God manifests when we become aware of His awesome presence, leading to complete humility and surrender. If we are not yet fully aware of His presence, we risk merely going through the motions without heartfelt worship. Every act should be a worshipful adoration of our great God, bringing glory and honor to His name. When attending services, whether on the Sabbath or at the Feast, we should go with the intent to worship, exhibiting greater reverence and awe, realizing He is present. Our conduct, from how we dress to how we listen, should reflect this reverence, as if we could see Him before us. Whether in a formal hall or meeting in our homes, the same respect and honor must be present, recognizing that worship services are sacred and solemn assemblies. We should be ready to begin services quietly and respectfully, honoring His presence as the King. Understanding constant worship transforms everything we do into an act of reverence and adoration, exalting the Almighty as David teaches, urging us to come and worship Him.
The Fear of God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughMany have inadvertently adopted a soft concept of God, disrespecting and showing contempt for God's authority and power. Godly fear is a gift of wisdom.
The Fear of God (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fear of God is the first line of defense, keeping us from profaning God's name, tarnishing the image of the Lord, and defending us from pain and/or death.
The Fear of God (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven before we acquire the necessary building blocks of faith, hope, and love, we must acquire the fear of God, which unlocks the treasures of God.
What Do You Fear? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeFear can be broken down into two broad categories: the fear of God and the fear of everything else. If we fear God, we will not need to fear anything else.
Trumpets: Glorious Appearings
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod spoke audibly to Moses and the people, intentionally testing their faithfulness, to instill the fear of the Lord in them, and to keep them from sin.

Deuteronomy: Fear
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen people allow fear to rule them, they lose their mind. Fear of God, however, is not mind killing, but inspires a reverential awe of the Creator.
Sovereignty and Its Fruit: Part Ten
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOnce we accept God's sovereignty, it begins to produce certain virtues in us. Here are four of these byproducts of total submission to God.
Sin Defined and Overcome
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughSin creates estrangement from God, causing us to fail in everything we attempt. Sin always produces separation; it never heals, but causes death.
The Sabbath: Redemption
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod has blessed us with the Sabbath, a period of holy time, when He redeems us from the clutches of our carnality and this evil world.
Worship
Sermonette by James BeaubelleWorship is required for all events in our lives, including the trials that build character within us. Anything that displaces God must be rooted out.

The Fifth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe fifth commandment stands at the head of the second tablet of the Decalogue, which governs our human relationships. It is critical for family and society.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughLove is the first fruit of the Spirit, the one trait of God that exemplifies His character. The Bible defines love as both what it is and what it does.