Core Value 1:

We value reverence for God

We are called to worship and glorify God with our lives which is the ultimate purpose for our existence as a church. (Ps 111:10; Deut 6:4-9; Matt 22:37-38).

Implications for us as a church:

• We will continually encourage and remind one another to practise the presence of God in our daily lives (James 4:8; Heb 10:19-22).

• We will continually exhort one another that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that it is our desire that all the world will revere Him (Prov 1:7; Ps 33:8; Eccl 12:13).

• We will purpose to lead holy lives (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:4; 1 Thess 4:3; 1 Pet 1:14-19).

REVERENCE – by David Hersey (adapted from The Preacher’s file)

In the OT, "reverence" occurs as the translation of two Hebrew words: Yare’ (pronounced yaw-ray’), which carries the meaning of "fear". This word is used to express the attitude toward God Himself. "In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him" (Ps 89:7). "Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD" (Lev 19:30; 26:2). The thought being one of fear, awe and respect. The second word, shachah (pronounced shaw-khaw’), carries the meaning of "falling down" as in the prostration of the body. It is used to express the attitude and bearing toward another who is considered superior. "Then Bathesheba bowed low with her face to the ground and, kneeling before the king …." (1 Kgs 1:31). Compare also 2 Sam 9:6 and Es 3:2,5). The thought with this word being honor, submission and obeisance.

In the NT "reverence" occurs as the translation of three Greek words, Deos, phobeo, and entrepo. Deos (pronounced de-os), which has the meaning of awe and Godly fear, is a feeling of profound awe and respect. Because of His majesty and holiness, God arouses a feeling of reverence in those who worship and serve Him. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." (Heb 12:28). The second word, phobeo (pronounced fob-eh’-o), carries the thought of being frightened or alarmed, by analogy to be in awe of or to have a deep and abiding respect. This word is used to illustrate the proper attitude of subjection that a wife should have toward her husband. "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife must respect her husband" (Eph 5:33). The third word, entrepo (pronounced en-trep’-o), sets forth the idea of a self evaluation of inferiority or superiority over someone else. In the consideration of reverence to God, the former always being the case. The mental imagery is of willingly setting the subject of consideration on a higher level while placing oneself beneath. "Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said" (Matt 21:37) and "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it …" (Heb 12:9).

But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth be silent before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)

Reverence is respectful, submissive attitude of mind resulting in affection and esteem for the person to which it is directed. We reverence the name of God, (Matt 6:9), the house of God,(1 Tim 3:15), and the worship of God (John 4:24).

We should demonstrate our reverence in our actions. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matt 5:16). "If ye love me, you will obey what I command" (Jn 14:15). "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching …"(John 14:23-24).

Genuine reverence and self sacrificing love go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other and expect to live a pleasing life before God. A man may boast of reverence for God in his heart but unless he manifests his reverence by conduct and obedience he is as those who James said were dead, like the body without the spirit. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26). Jesus said that those who show reverence to God by mouth only will never see the kingdom of Heaven. "Not every one who says to me, ‘ Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matt 7:21). Godly fear and reverence alone are not enough. One must demonstrate one’s reverence by their actions. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves" (James 1:22). It is through our striving for obedience to God that we proclaim our reverence and love towards Him, (John 14:15), and before the world (Matt 5:16).