REVERENCE TOWARD GOD

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The statement is often made that the word "reverend" is found
      only in Psalm 111:9 where it applies to God Himself.
      1. This is true, so far as the English word "reverend" and the
         KJV is concerned.
   B. Actually, there are three major Greek words which are          
      translated "reverence" (or some form of it) and are applied in 
      several different ways.
   C. Chart: Godly Fear Or Reverence (See chart below)
      1. "Entrepo" - reverend, dreadful, awesome, terrible
      2. "Phobeo" - fear, fearful, afraid of
      3. "Eulabeia" - devout, God-fearing, godly fear
   D. In Psalm 111:9 the word "Entrepo" is used and is translated
      "awesome" in the NKJV and "terrible" in the RSV.
      1. Throughout the Bible the word is applied to God, His name,
         His deeds, His majesty, the Day of God (as a day of
         judgment), foreign peoples, the wilderness, places (such as
         where Jacob's Ladder experience occurred).
   E. Certainly, it would be sinful to use the word "reverend" as a  
      title for a preacher. Matt. 23:6-11
   F. Let us examine these three words as used in the Scriptures, and
      follow up with some practical applications.

I. "Entrope" - reverend, dreadful, awesome, terrible
   A. The word "entrope" means "to feel respect for, show deference
      to, reverence." (Vine's, Thayer's, etc.)
      1. It is used in the parable of the wicked husbandmen
         (vinedressers) . Matt. 21:37
      2. It is used in Heb. 12:9.
         a. Children should respect, show deference to, reverence,
            or fear their parents.
         b. It is painful when we are punished, but we honor,
            respect, and love those who do it for our good.
         c. The parents who restrain and control their children will
            gain honor in the long run - from their own children and
            from others as well. Prov. 29:15,17
      3. Heb. 12:9-11 also shows that we are to "reverence" God.

II. "Phobeo" - fear, fearful, afraid of
   A. This word is used as an ending to several different words to
      describe exaggerated or illogical fears; e.g., claustrophobia  
      (fear of being in a narrow or confined place).
   B. This is the most commonly used word in the Scriptures and
      simply means " to fear," "to be afraid of."
   C. It is used in many different ways:
      1. It is used with reference to God. Matt. 10:28; Acts 10:2; 1
         Pet. 1:17; 2:17; Rom. 3:18
         a. We need to have a wholesome dread of displeasing
            God, realizing that He can bring harm and destruction to
            us.
      2. It is used regarding rulers. Rom. 13:3-4
      3. It is used with reference to other people. Gal. 2:11-12
         a. It is used many times of the Jews who were "afraid" of
            the people.
         b. It is used of the unjust judge. Luke 18:1-5
            (1) The unjust judge did not fear (Phobeo - afraid of)
                God or respect (Entrepo - reverence) man.
                (a) One would think that the order would be
                    reversed - that he did not respect God nor was
                    afraid of man.
               (b)  This shows that these words are used
                    somewhat interchangeably.
      4. Wives are to "fear," "respect" their husbands. Eph. 5:33
      5. We are to be fearful of not entering into heaven. Heb. 4:1
         a. We are to work out our salvation with fear and
            trembling. Phil. 2:12
         b. We are to be ready to give an answer with meekness
            and fear. 1 Pet. 3:15

III. "Eulabeia" - devout, God-fearing, godly fear
   A. This word was used to describe those Jews who were assembled
      on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:5
   B. It is used of those who buried Stephen. Acts 8:2
   C. Ananias was labeled "a devout man." Acts 22:12
   D. Noah moved with godly fear. Heb. 11:7
   E. It is used of our Lord. Heb. 5:7-8
      1. It was on account of His respect for the Father that He was
         heard.
      2. We, too, need this reverence and godly fear toward our
         Heavenly Father.
   F. A command for us. Heb. 12:28
      1. The word "reverence" is an unusual one in this verse. It is
         the Greek word "aidos" and means "the idea of downcast
         eyes); bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards
         God) awe:--reverence, shamefacedness." (Strong)
      2. This reminds us of the publican in Luke 18:13.
      3. We need to be humble, not vain or proud, lowly before the
         Lord, aware of our weaknesses and unworthiness, and plead
         for mercy. Micah 6:8

IV. SOME APPLICATIONS.
   A. It goes without saying that there is much irreverence in our
      society today. Irreverence is seen everywhere.
      1. People often make jokes of God, the Bible and the church.
         There are no "holy" things to them.
         a. Much irreverence is seen on TV, and it is worse in the
            movies - Cursing, swearing, filthy jokes. They think
            nothing of using God's name in vain.
         b. Today, we have a fun-loving society which loves
            worldly entertainment. Just woop it up; no time to think
            about important things. Eat, drink, and be merry;
            ramble, sing, and dance.
         c. Truly, there is no fear of God before their eyes.
      2. Their irreverence toward God and His holy things will bring
         His wrath upon them someday.
   B. Let us do our best in worshiping God with reverence and godly
      fear. We mention a few things that would be irreverent during
      worship services.
      1. Whispering.
         a. We should not be whispering during worship, as
            brethren partake of the Lord's Supper, or during the
            invitation song.
         b. This is distracting, disturbs others, and is certainly   
            not worshiping God with reverence.
      2. Playing with and/or watching babies or children.
         a. Giving playful attention to children should be done at
            other times, not during worship.
         b. Of course, it is up to the parents to keep their children
            quiet and in control.
         c. Young mothers have a difficult time in dealing with their
            babies. They need encouragement in this difficult task.
      3. Writing notes, or passing, or reading notes.
         a. These types of things should not be done during our
            worship simply because it is irreverence toward God.
      4. Looking around with a rubber neck, or pivot-head can
         be distracting.
         a. To have someone in front of you who turns and looks
            around causes our minds to be taken off our worship.
            We wonder "Who or what can be so interesting?"
      5. Tardiness, coming in late is disrespectful.
         a. I heard of a lady who received special recognition for 30
            years of getting to work on time. However, it was said
            of that the same lady, who was a member of the church,
            that she often came in late to worship services. What
            hypocrisy!
         b. "Coming in late" is a habit with some people, and a bad
            habit to say the least.
      6. Chewing gum.
         a. If we are going to chew gum during services, we might
            just as well be eating during services. It looks the     
            same.
         b. Some smack their lips while they chew, and even blow
            bubbles.
         c. I see no reverence for God in this.
      7. Sleeping through services.
         a. We need to try to be in bed at a decent hour on
            Saturday nights. We don't need a late show or movie,
            ball game, late date, or late anything on Saturday       
            nights.
         b. I heard of a lady whose small son was in the habit of
            sleeping through worship services. When he came to a
            certain age, she talked to him about staying awake
            during services. He said that he just couldn't stay
            awake. She said, "Here's what I'll do. I'll carry a wet
            wash rag in my purse, and every time you are about to
            go to sleep, I will use it to wash your face so that you
            can stay awake." Not one time did she ever need to use
            the wash cloth. It would have been too embarrassing to
            the small boy to have his mother wash his face during
            service.
         c. Remember, we are worshiping God and we need to
            show reverence and godly fear.
      8. Improper dress.
         a. We wear proper dress to certain secular occasions
            because we want to show respect; e.g., when we go to a
            funeral or a wedding.
         b. Yet, I have seen men come to services looking very
            slouchy, wearing every-day clothes which look very
            much like they haven't changed for a month.
            (1) Of course, I realize there are occasions when men
                have worked late and come to services in their
                work clothes. No one would object to this.
            (2) However, my point is that some, who are not
                running late from their work, make no preparation
                whatsoever as to proper dress.
         c. Sometimes ladies come in immodestly dressed, wearing
            clothes which shouldn't be worn anywhere, much less to
            worship services.
         d. Let us all dress in such as way as to show respect for   
            the occasion, showing respect toward God.

Concl.
   A. It is good for families to have a talk about these things. 
   B. Let us all resolve to show reverence toward God in every way.
   C. Let us set the proper example that others might respect God as
      well.

Chart:
Godly Fear Or Reverence
                        
"Entrepo" - reverend, dreadful, awesome, terrible

"Phobeo" - fear, fearful, afraid of

"Eulabeia" - devout, God-fearing, godly fear