Embracing Holy Trembling: Balancing Humor and Reverence

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter the delicate balance between humor and sobriety. While humor is a gift that can bring joy and lightness, it must be stewarded with wisdom. Sober-mindedness is essential, as it allows us to appreciate the weight of life's significant moments without trivializing them. In the presence of God, everything trembles, as the psalmist reminds us in Psalm 114:7 and Psalm 119:120. This trembling is not just a physical reaction but a profound spiritual posture that acknowledges the majesty and holiness of God.

Isaiah 66:2 tells us that God looks favorably upon those who are humble and contrite in spirit, those who tremble at His word. This trembling is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of God's almighty power and righteous judgment. In the New Testament, Paul exhorts us in Philippians 2:12 to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is a call to live with a deep awareness of God's presence and His call to holiness.

The imagery in Revelation 19:15-16 of Christ's second coming is a sobering reminder of God's wrath and justice. It challenges us to understand God as He truly is, not as we might wish Him to be. The wrath of God is not a passive or indifferent force; it is a furious and righteous response to sin. This understanding should evoke a holy fear in us, leading us to live in a way that honors God.

Fear in the Christian life is not about being afraid of God as an enemy but about revering Him as a loving and just Father. We are called to fear God, not man, and to trust in His sovereignty. This fear is a sanctuary, a place of safety and reverence, where we find peace in His presence. As we navigate our spiritual journey, let us embrace this holy trembling, allowing it to shape our worship, our relationships, and our witness to the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Balance of Humor and Sobriety: Humor is a gift, but it must be balanced with sober-mindedness. This balance allows us to appreciate the gravity of life's significant moments and to tremble before God, acknowledging His majesty and holiness. [00:27]

2. Trembling in God's Presence: Trembling is a spiritual posture that reflects our recognition of God's almighty power and righteous judgment. It is not a sign of weakness but a profound acknowledgment of His holiness. [01:14]

3. Understanding God's Wrath: God's wrath is not passive but a furious and righteous response to sin. This understanding should evoke a holy fear in us, leading us to live in a way that honors God and acknowledges His justice. [03:24]

4. Fear God, Not Man: We are called to fear God, not man, and to trust in His sovereignty. This fear is a sanctuary, a place of safety and reverence, where we find peace in His presence. [07:10]

5. Holy Trembling in Our Journey: Holy trembling is not something we grow out of but something we grow into. It shapes our worship, relationships, and witness, leading us to live with a deep awareness of God's presence and call to holiness. [06:13]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Role of Humor
[00:27] - Sober-Mindedness
[00:58] - Trembling Before God
[01:14] - Biblical Examples of Trembling
[01:46] - New Testament Call to Tremble
[02:03] - Revelation of God's Wrath
[02:35] - Observations on God's Power
[03:24] - Understanding God's Wrath
[04:01] - The Image of the Wine Press
[04:39] - Emotional Response to God's Presence
[05:15] - God's Favor on the Humble
[05:37] - Working Out Salvation
[06:13] - Growing into Holy Trembling
[07:10] - Fear God, Not Man
[08:24] - The Paradox of Fear
[09:35] - Illustration of God's Nature

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 114:7 - "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob."
2. Isaiah 66:2 - "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
3. Philippians 2:12 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Psalm 114:7 suggest about the natural world's response to God's presence? How does this imagery help us understand the concept of trembling before God? [04:39]

2. According to Isaiah 66:2, what qualities does God look for in a person? How is trembling at God's word described in this context? [01:30]

3. In Philippians 2:12, Paul instructs believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. What does this imply about the nature of our spiritual journey? [05:37]

4. How does the sermon describe the balance between humor and sober-mindedness in our spiritual lives? [00:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of trembling at God's word in Isaiah 66:2 relate to our understanding of humility and contrition? Why might these qualities be significant in our relationship with God? [01:30]

2. In what ways does the imagery of Christ's second coming in Revelation 19:15-16 challenge our perception of God's wrath and justice? How should this understanding affect our daily lives? [02:03]

3. The sermon mentions that fear in the Christian life is not about being afraid of God as an enemy but about revering Him as a loving and just Father. How can this perspective change the way we approach our faith? [07:10]

4. What does it mean to "grow into" holy trembling, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this concept differ from growing out of fear as we mature in our faith? [06:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when humor may have overshadowed a significant moment in your life. How can you cultivate a balance between humor and sober-mindedness in your spiritual journey? [00:27]

2. How can you develop a deeper sense of trembling at God's word in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to foster humility and contrition in your heart? [01:30]

3. Consider the imagery of God's wrath in Revelation 19:15-16. How does this understanding of God's justice influence your view of sin and righteousness? How might it impact your actions and decisions? [02:03]

4. In what ways can you practice fearing God rather than man in your everyday interactions? How can this shift in focus bring peace and security in your life? [07:10]

5. Identify an area in your life where you need to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." What specific actions can you take to align more closely with God's call to holiness? [05:37]

6. How can the concept of holy trembling shape your worship, relationships, and witness to the world? What changes might you need to make to live with a deeper awareness of God's presence? [06:13]

7. Think of a situation where you might be tempted to run away from God, as illustrated in the sermon. How can you turn towards Him instead, finding sanctuary in His presence? [09:35]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of Humor and the Call to Sobriety
Humor is a wonderful gift that can bring joy and lightness to our lives. However, it is important to balance this gift with sober-mindedness, especially in our spiritual journey. Sober-mindedness allows us to appreciate the gravity of life's significant moments and to tremble before God, acknowledging His majesty and holiness. This balance is crucial as it helps us navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment. By maintaining this balance, we can fully engage with the world around us while remaining deeply rooted in our faith. [00:27]

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 (ESV): "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a balance of humor and sobriety in your daily interactions, ensuring that you honor God in both lighthearted and serious moments?


Day 2: Embracing the Trembling in God's Presence
Trembling in the presence of God is a spiritual posture that reflects our recognition of His almighty power and righteous judgment. It is not a sign of weakness but a profound acknowledgment of His holiness. This trembling is a response to the majesty of God, as everything in His presence trembles. It is a call to live with a deep awareness of God's presence and His call to holiness. By embracing this holy trembling, we allow it to shape our worship, our relationships, and our witness to the world. [01:14]

Isaiah 66:5 (ESV): "Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: 'Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name's sake have said, "Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy"; but it is they who shall be put to shame.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a sense of holy trembling in your daily life, allowing it to deepen your relationship with God and others?


Day 3: Understanding the Righteous Wrath of God
God's wrath is not a passive or indifferent force; it is a furious and righteous response to sin. This understanding should evoke a holy fear in us, leading us to live in a way that honors God and acknowledges His justice. The imagery in Revelation of Christ's second coming serves as a sobering reminder of God's wrath and justice. It challenges us to understand God as He truly is, not as we might wish Him to be. By recognizing the reality of God's wrath, we are called to live with a deep awareness of His presence and His call to holiness. [03:24]

Nahum 1:2-3 (ESV): "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty."

Reflection: How does your understanding of God's wrath influence the way you live your life and interact with others, especially in moments of conflict or injustice?


Day 4: Fearing God as a Sanctuary
Fear in the Christian life is not about being afraid of God as an enemy but about revering Him as a loving and just Father. We are called to fear God, not man, and to trust in His sovereignty. This fear is a sanctuary, a place of safety and reverence, where we find peace in His presence. By fearing God, we are invited into a deeper relationship with Him, where we can experience His love and guidance in our lives. This fear is not something to be avoided but embraced as a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. [07:10]

Proverbs 14:26-27 (ESV): "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to cultivate a healthy fear of God, allowing it to become a source of strength and refuge in your life?


Day 5: Growing into Holy Trembling
Holy trembling is not something we grow out of but something we grow into. It shapes our worship, relationships, and witness, leading us to live with a deep awareness of God's presence and call to holiness. This trembling is a recognition of God's almighty power and righteous judgment, and it is a call to live in a way that honors Him. By embracing this holy trembling, we allow it to transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. It is a journey of growth and transformation that leads us closer to the heart of God. [06:13]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: How can you actively grow into a posture of holy trembling, allowing it to shape your worship, relationships, and witness in the world?

Quotes

In the presence of God, everything trembles, everything trembles. The Earth trembles according to Psalm 114:7. Tremble, O Earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. The psalmist trembles in Psalm 119:120, "My Flesh trembles for fear of you and I am afraid of your judgments." [00:01:01]

Indeed, the one who trembles at God's word, that person catches God's attention according to what he tells us in Isaiah 66:2. "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and who trembles at my word." [00:01:25]

In the New Testament, Paul calls us in Philippians 2:12, Christians, to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. So why do Christians tremble? Here's Pastor John to explain from a 2005 sermon. [00:01:44]

God is Almighty. We are not dealing here with a mere president of the United States, the mere premier of China. We're dealing here with the person whose power includes all the power of the political realm and all the power of the electromagnetic realm and all the power of the atomic realm and all the power of the gravitational pull of the biggest stars in the universe. [00:02:47]

God is about to pour out his Wrath. So he is a God of love, the Bible is clear about that, and he is also a God of Justice and Holiness and wrath, the Bible is very clear about that. We need to know God as he is, not as we make him up to be. [00:03:28]

The wrath is full of Fury, the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. It's not a cool opposition, it's not emotionally indifferent, it is a furiously angry wrath. And the fourth observation, and it's the most terrible, is that it is like Christ treading a wine press in which the unbelieving are under his feet. [00:03:47]

Psalm 114 verse 7: "Tremble, O Earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob." Psalm 119 verse 120: "My Flesh trembles for fear of you that I am afraid of your judgments." That's a very Godly man talking. [00:04:28]

This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. God's countenance shines with favorable Grace upon trembling people. Or here's the New Testament testimony that we should all heed, Philippians chapter 2 verse 12. [00:04:53]

As you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. To all believers, the Bible says, get on the road that leads to life, and if necessary, cut off your hands to stay there, gouge out your eyes to stay there. [00:05:26]

This is not something you grow out of as you get more mature as a Christian. Oh, maybe you start afraid and then later on there's no fear in trembling. This is something that immature Christians must necessarily grow into, not something you grow out of. [00:06:07]

Fear God, not man. Matthew 10:28: "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Here's the way I would put it: fear distrusting God. Don't fear displeasing man. [00:07:16]

Let it be a terrifying prospect to you to distrust your God, but don't let it be at all a terrifying prospect to you to displease your enemy who might cut off your head. That's all they can do is cut off your head, but God, after the head has been cut off, can cast the soul into hell. [00:07:41]

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Transcript
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