Church of Christ Sermons, Lessons and Studies

Introduction:

• Most of us are thankful for our nice houses and our nice building here, as well we should be.  But those structures are not very important to Jehovah.  Notice what He says in Isaiah 66:1-2. This is what the Lord says:                                                                                              

           “Heaven is my throne,

             and the earth is my footstool.

             Where is the house you will build for me?

             Where will my resting place be?

             Has not my hand made all these things,

             and so they came into being?” declares the Lord.

• God is not looking for a great mansion or an elaborate palace, but rather a humble and contrite heart that trembles at His word.  Out Father is very concerned with his children’s attitude toward what He has said.  It’s that attitude toward which we turn our attention.

 Body:

 I. What Does It Mean to “Tremble”?

• Hebrew – It means to shake, the idea of trembling and fear.  Judges 7:1-3
• The people of Israel had violated the Word of God!  Ezra 9:1-4 We should be “appalled” like Ezra when people rebelliously disregard God’s Word.  Now note:  Ezra 10:1-4.
• Someone who trembles at God’s Word takes the Word very seriously.  “My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.” Psalms 119:120 We should stand in awe; God is speaking.  We should feel like the psalmist of Psalms 199:136.  “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.”  We must never take it lightly.  Never try to twist it to mean what we want.               II Timothy 2:15-18  Look carefully at the context and all the Bible says. Never add to nor take away from the Word.  Proverbs 30:5-6

 II. What Must My Heart Be Like?

• Read Isaiah 66:1-2 again.  Being humble and contrite is the opposite of being proud and arrogant.  Psalms 34:18
• Our heart will be soft and tender to accept what God says.  James 1:21, Luke 8:15  Don’t resist or argue!
• The heart that trembles at the Word; loves God and obeys Him.            John 14:21, 23-24
• We look forward to hearing from God through His Word.  This is how we come to know His will for us.  We also can be assured we are in Him.         I John 2:5-6
• We must possess an ardent desire to hear the Word.  Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6  The people stood for three hours listening to Ezra quote God’s Word!  They didn’t have to be entertained!

 Invitation:

The words of Psalms 2:11 are quite relevant.  “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.”

 Bobby Stafford

April 17, 2011