Scripture: 1 Pet 1: 17-21

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father who judges each person s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Serve the Lord with fear
    and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11

TWO REASONS TO LIVE IN REVERENT FEAR:

1. WE SHOULD HAVE REVERENT FEAR BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS: Vs. 17

1. God is Holy. Vs 16
   • We must never forget this fact.
   • God is perfect, pure, undefiled and totally separated from sin.
   • This fact alone should inspire great fear in us.
2. God is our Holy Father: vs. 17
   • What a privileged position we are in.
   • We are adopted sons and daughters of God.
   • Father is an intimate title but it also expresses a position of authority.
   • The one called father has authority over His children. Also being a father requires one to give discipline.
   • ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. Heb 12:8-10
   • Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.
     Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” ¹⁸ And,“I will be a Father to you,  and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”^[b]

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Cor 6:17-7:1

c.       God is an impartial Holy Judge: vs. 17

o   To judge means to consider all the particulars of a case and then render as good or evil.

o   Remember God is Holy.

o   God is all wise and God is our father.

o   But God is still impartial. (without respect)

o   God sees the inside. Acts 5:11

o   And God judges everyone personally according to each one s work. Vs. 17

o   So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:9, 10

o   In other words we must not let our familiarity degrade our view of His holiness or forget He is Judge.

o   Aliens and strangers: 1 Pet 2:11, 12

o   Salad bowl and milk shake.

 

2.      WE SHOULD HAVE REVERENT FEAR BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE: 18-21

a.      God has redeemed us. Vs 18

o It means to set free or buy the release of someone by paying the required prize.  ¹² Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees. Deut 16:12

o Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. Deut 5:15

o God has rescued us from our former life. 18b

1.      Empty life handed over by our fore fathers.

b.      God paid a costly sacrificial price for us.  Vs. 19

o To set us free, it cost God the life of His own son, Jesus Christ.

o That is how much He loves us.