Worship with Reverence and Awe

Acts of Worship
Awe of God

Make a Joyful Noise

Hebrews 12:22-29  The Message

^22-24 No, that’s not your experience at all. You’ve come to Mount Zion, the city where the living God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive angels and Christian citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us just. You’ve come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel’s—a homicide that cried out for vengeance—became a proclamation of grace.
^25-27 So don’t turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn’t get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time—he’s told us this quite plainly—he’ll also rock the heavens: “One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern.” The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.
^28-29 Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!

For Reflection
Christ is killed and vengeance is turned to grace.  What could be more miraculous!  A culture that demanded an eye for an eye vengeance is changed to a culture which proclaims the Grace of God.

There is a lot of shaking going on in today's churches.  Our faith needs an occasional house cleaning.  Take some time to question your faith so that you will respond to the unshakable essentials.

Pray

that you will respond to the core principles of your faith, justice, compassion, forgiveness and peace.