HOLY GROUND

 

Intro.
1.  We need greater fear of God! Reverence for God has declined greatly, not only in society, but also in the church! (Psa. 89:7; 111:9; Eccl. 12:13; Matt. 10:28).

  a.  Blessings accrue for those who will - Deut. 6:1-6.

  b.  Dread awaits those who do not - Heb. 10:30-31.

2.  Exo. 3:5-6 - Holy ground - In the presence of God!

  a.  Sense in which we are always in the presence of God - Psa. 139:7-8.

  b.  Another in which we approach God’s presence - Heb. 4:16.

3.  Like Moses, we stand on holy ground.....How are we responding?!

 

I.  WE STAND ON HOLY GROUND WHEN WE WORSHIP GOD.

  A.  Worship Our Holy God With Fear (Reverence) - Psa. 5:7.

  B.  Conduct In Worship Must Reverence (Not Irreverence) - Neh. 8:1-6.

    1.  v. 3 - Attentive (quiet before God).

    2.  v. 5 - Reverence for the word of God.

    3.  v. 6 -Lifted hands - Empty before God.

    4.  v. 6 - Bowed heads - Humble before God.

    5.  v. 6 - Faces to the ground - Adoration of God.

  C.  Remember: We Worship In The Presence Of God - 1 Cor. 14:40:

    1.  Prayers - Humble, respectful, meaning - 1 Tim. 2:8.

    2.  Lord’s Supper - 1 Cor. 11:20-22.

    3.  Singing - Eph. 5:19-21 (speaking to give thanks, teach, praise).

    4.  Giving - 2 Cor. 9:7 (w/ purpose, cheerful).

    5.  Preaching - 1 Thess. 2:3-5.

 

II.  WE STAND ON HOLY GROUND IN THE CHURCH - Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Cor. 3:16-17.

  A.  The Church Of Christ Is The Temple Of God - Eph. 2:21-22.

    1.  Dwelling place of God with His people

    2.  In God’s house (temple, the church) we are to be offering spiritual sacrifices to God - 1 Pet. 2:4-5.

  B.  The Temple Of God (The Church) Is Holy - 1 Cor. 3:16-17.

    1.  Local church is also "holy ground"!

    2.  Not talking about the building -- the saints & their fellowship with God - v. 17.

    3.  Holy in:

      a.  Organization - Acts 14:23.

      b.  Work - 1 Ths. 1:8; Acts 4:34-35; 1 Cor. 14:26.

      c.  Doctrine - Gal. 1:6-9.

      d.  Fellowship - 2 Jno. 9-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-2, 6.

    4.  Human innovations in worship, work, organization, doctrine &/or fellowship shows a failure to regard the holiness of God & that we are in His presence!

 

III.  OUR BODY SHOULD BE REGARDED AS HOLY GROUND - 1 Cor. 1:2.

  A.  Live In The Fear Of God (Reverence) - 1 Pet. 1:13-19 (v. 17).

    1.  v. 14 - Obedient children - Shows respect for God.

    2.  v. 15-16 - Be holy in all your conduct - God is holy!

    3.  v. 17 - Future judgment compels holy living (2 Pet. 3:11).

    4.  v. 18-19 - Price of our redemption compels us.

  B.  Our Bodies Are To Be Holy - 1 Ths. 4:1-8 (sanctification).

    1.  Shun sexual immorality! - v. 3-6

      a.  Unholy, irreverent use of the body (1 Cor. 6:15-20).

      b.  Flee youthful lusts - 2 Tim. 2:22.

    2.  Shun things harmful to the body - 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

      -Use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs - These & more harm one’s health, influence & effectiveness as holy examples to others!

 

Conclusion

Heb. 12:28-29 - Let us "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" -- Because, "our God is a consuming fire"!