“Fear God and Honor His Name” (Exodus 20:18–26)

“Fear God and Honor His Name” (Exodus 20:18–26)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, August 5, 2018

Exodus 20:18–26 (NIV)
¹⁸ When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance ¹⁹ and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
²⁰ Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
²¹ The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
²² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: ²³ Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.
²⁴ “‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. ²⁵ If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. ²⁶ And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.’

1. Don’t be afraid but fear (18–21).

a. In recognition of the Lord’s awesome power and holiness, the people respond with a natural fear and trepidation (18–19).

b. Instead of a natural fear and trepidation at the sights and sounds of God’s presence, the people were to have a genuine and lasting fear of God that fueled reverence and obedience.

2. Don't worship gods but worship the LORD as God (22–28).

a. Worship of the true God is governed by his Word.

b. Worship of the true God is exclusive.

c. Worship of the true God requires single-minded devotion and simplicity.

d. Worship of the true God requires atoning sacrifice.

e. Worship of the true God requires the honor and reverence of his name.

Main Idea: In worship, the Holy Lord is to be reverenced and honored in obedience to his Word in such a way that He and He alone is the focus, not any other gods or any other human achievements.