Rediscovering Awe: Remembering God's Greatness and Faithfulness
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we explored the profound concept of awe and how it relates to our relationship with God. I began by sharing a personal experience of awe during a vacation in Washington State, where the sight of Mount Rainier left me speechless and deeply moved. This led us to reflect on what truly inspires awe in our lives and, more importantly, whether we experience this awe in the presence of God.
We then delved into the story of Exodus 32, where the Israelites, despite witnessing God's miracles, quickly turned to idolatry by worshiping a golden calf. This story serves as a cautionary tale about how easily we can lose our sense of awe and turn to lesser things. The Israelites' failure was attributed to two main issues: short memories and small minds. They forgot what God had done for them and who God is.
We discussed the importance of daily remembering God's faithfulness to combat our short memories. I shared personal anecdotes about how God has provided for my family in miraculous ways, emphasizing that we must continually remind ourselves of His past faithfulness. Scriptures like Deuteronomy 7:9 and Lamentations 3:22-23 reinforce this truth.
Next, we addressed the issue of small minds that forget the grandeur and power of God. In our anxiety and fear, we often shrink our perception of God to fit our immediate problems. We need to redirect our focus to the awesomeness of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, the world around us, and the heavens above. By doing so, we can regain a sense of awe and trust in God's sovereignty.
Finally, I challenged us to identify the "golden calves" in our lives—those things that distract us from God and diminish our sense of awe. Whether it's money, work, technology, or politics, nothing compares to the awesomeness of God. We must remember what God has done and who He is, for He alone is the author of awe.
### Key Takeaways
1. Experiencing Awe in God's Presence: True awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear and wonder. It is essential to ask ourselves if we experience this awe in the presence of God. Reflecting on moments of awe in nature or life can help us understand the magnitude of God's greatness and inspire a deeper sense of worship. [23:55]
2. The Danger of Forgetting God's Faithfulness: The Israelites quickly forgot the miracles God performed for them, leading to idolatry. We must combat our short memories by daily remembering God's faithfulness in our lives. Personal testimonies and scriptural reminders can help us keep God's past provisions at the forefront of our minds. [47:22]
3. The Perils of Small Minds: When we focus on our immediate problems, we often forget the power and character of God. This leads to anxiety and misplaced trust. By redirecting our focus to the awesomeness of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, nature, and the heavens, we can regain a sense of awe and trust in His sovereignty. [50:40]
4. Identifying Modern-Day Idols: Just as the Israelites turned to a golden calf, we too can be tempted to worship lesser things like money, work, or technology. It's crucial to identify these "golden calves" in our lives and redirect our worship to God, who alone is worthy. [57:08]
5. Daily Practices to Cultivate Awe: To maintain a sense of awe, we should engage in daily practices such as reading the Scriptures, observing the world around us, and contemplating the heavens. These practices help us remember what God has done and who He is, reinforcing our trust and worship of Him. [53:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction to Awe
[3:30] - Personal Experience of Awe
[7:00] - Definition of Awe
[9:00] - The Ultimate Source of Awe
[11:00] - Introduction to Exodus 32
[13:00] - Summary of Israel's Journey
[18:00] - The Golden Calf Incident
[22:00] - Leadership and Idolatry
[26:00] - The Consequences of Idolatry
[30:00] - Short Memories and Small Minds
[35:00] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
[40:00] - The Awesomeness of God
[45:00] - Identifying Modern-Day Idols
[50:00] - Daily Practices to Cultivate Awe
[55:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 32:1-6 - The story of the golden calf.
2. Deuteronomy 7:9 - "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."
3. Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the Israelites do when they felt Moses was taking too long to come down from the mountain? ([31:11])
2. How did Aaron respond to the people's request for a god? ([34:20])
3. What were the consequences of the Israelites' idolatry with the golden calf? ([41:44])
4. According to the sermon, what are the two main reasons the Israelites turned to idolatry? ([43:09])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Israelites quickly forgot the miracles God performed for them? How does this reflect on human nature? ([47:22])
2. How does the story of the golden calf illustrate the dangers of having a "small mind" that forgets the grandeur and power of God? ([48:58])
3. In what ways can modern-day idols, such as money or technology, distract us from experiencing awe in God's presence? ([57:08])
4. How can daily practices like reading the Scriptures and observing the world around us help us maintain a sense of awe towards God? ([53:48])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent moment when you felt genuine awe. How did that experience affect your perception of God? ([23:55])
2. What are some practical ways you can daily remember God's faithfulness in your life? Share a personal testimony of God's provision or faithfulness. ([47:22])
3. Identify a "golden calf" in your life—something that distracts you from God. What steps can you take to redirect your focus back to God? ([57:08])
4. How can you cultivate a bigger view of God to combat anxiety and fear in your life? What specific scriptures or practices can help you in this? ([50:40])
5. Think about the last 100 days. How has God shown up in your life during this time? Take a moment to share and celebrate these instances with the group. ([47:22])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of looking into the Scriptures, observing the world around you, and contemplating the heavens into your daily routine to maintain a sense of awe? ([53:48])
7. What specific action can you take this week to minimize a distraction that prevents you from focusing on Jesus? How can the group support you in this effort? ([59:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing Awe in God's Presence
True awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear and wonder. It is essential to ask ourselves if we experience this awe in the presence of God. Reflecting on moments of awe in nature or life can help us understand the magnitude of God's greatness and inspire a deeper sense of worship. When we encounter the grandeur of creation, like the sight of a majestic mountain or the vastness of the night sky, we get a glimpse of God's infinite power and creativity. These moments should lead us to a deeper appreciation and worship of God, who is the ultimate source of all awe.
In our daily lives, we often get caught up in routine and miss the opportunities to experience awe. By intentionally seeking out these moments and reflecting on them, we can cultivate a heart of worship and reverence for God. Whether it's through spending time in nature, meditating on Scripture, or simply being still in God's presence, we can open our hearts to the awe-inspiring reality of who God is. [23:55]
Psalm 33:8-9 (ESV): "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm."
Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt awe in nature or life. How can you use that experience to deepen your worship and reverence for God today?
Day 2: The Danger of Forgetting God's Faithfulness
The Israelites quickly forgot the miracles God performed for them, leading to idolatry. We must combat our short memories by daily remembering God's faithfulness in our lives. Personal testimonies and scriptural reminders can help us keep God's past provisions at the forefront of our minds. When we forget what God has done for us, we become vulnerable to turning to lesser things for comfort and security. The story of the golden calf in Exodus 32 serves as a powerful reminder of this danger.
To prevent this, we need to make a habit of recalling and recounting God's faithfulness. This can be done through journaling, sharing testimonies with others, or meditating on Scripture that highlights God's past deeds. By doing so, we strengthen our faith and trust in God, knowing that He has been faithful in the past and will continue to be faithful in the future. [47:22]
Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV): "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific instances where you have experienced God's faithfulness. How can you remind yourself of these moments daily to strengthen your trust in Him?
Day 3: The Perils of Small Minds
When we focus on our immediate problems, we often forget the power and character of God. This leads to anxiety and misplaced trust. By redirecting our focus to the awesomeness of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, nature, and the heavens, we can regain a sense of awe and trust in His sovereignty. Our limited perspective can cause us to see our problems as bigger than they are and God as smaller than He is. This distorted view leads to unnecessary worry and fear.
To counteract this, we need to intentionally expand our view of God by immersing ourselves in His Word and creation. Reflecting on the vastness of the universe, the intricacies of nature, and the mighty acts of God recorded in the Bible can help us see Him for who He truly is—an all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present God. This broader perspective can bring peace and confidence, knowing that God is in control and capable of handling any situation we face. [50:40]
Isaiah 40:26 (ESV): "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing."
Reflection: What immediate problem are you currently facing that seems overwhelming? How can you shift your focus to the greatness of God and trust in His sovereignty over this situation?
Day 4: Identifying Modern-Day Idols
Just as the Israelites turned to a golden calf, we too can be tempted to worship lesser things like money, work, or technology. It's crucial to identify these "golden calves" in our lives and redirect our worship to God, who alone is worthy. Modern-day idols can be anything that takes priority over our relationship with God. These idols can subtly creep into our lives and distract us from fully worshiping and trusting in God.
To identify these idols, we need to examine our hearts and ask ourselves what we are placing our trust and hope in. Are we relying on our careers for security, technology for comfort, or money for happiness? Once we identify these idols, we must take intentional steps to remove them from the throne of our hearts and place God back in His rightful position. This may involve setting boundaries, making sacrifices, or changing our habits to ensure that God remains our ultimate focus and source of awe. [57:08]
1 John 5:21 (ESV): "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Reflection: What is one modern-day idol in your life that you need to address? What practical steps can you take today to remove this idol and refocus your worship on God?
Day 5: Daily Practices to Cultivate Awe
To maintain a sense of awe, we should engage in daily practices such as reading the Scriptures, observing the world around us, and contemplating the heavens. These practices help us remember what God has done and who He is, reinforcing our trust and worship of Him. Cultivating awe is not a one-time event but a daily discipline that requires intentionality and effort.
By incorporating these practices into our daily routines, we can keep our hearts and minds attuned to the greatness of God. Reading the Bible allows us to see God's character and mighty works, observing nature reveals His creativity and power, and contemplating the heavens reminds us of His vastness and majesty. These practices help us stay grounded in the reality of who God is and keep our sense of awe alive and vibrant. [53:48]
Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."
Reflection: What daily practice can you start today to cultivate a sense of awe in your life? How can this practice help you remember and worship God more deeply?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Only rare things are awesome. Only a few things are truly awesome. And number one above all of the things that might produce a sense of awesomeness, it is the Lord himself. Reverential respect mixed with fear and wonder and a word awe." [23:55] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do not put your faith in people. You might have a favorite pastor, author, worship leader, podcaster. They might be great. They might have all kinds of wonderful things to say. But every day, it seems like you read another story about another famous person who fell and brought everyone down with him. Do not put your faith in people." [32:41] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The one who makes the galaxies and the stars, who makes the heavens and the earth, and is intimately involved in our lives as well, is the only one worthy of worship. The only truly awesome thing. How can we look at that and then look at this and worship this? We are so easily led astray." [56:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Remember what God has done and remember who God is. Only He is the author of all." [57:08] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "How did the Israelites go from the presence of God on this incredible, awesome mountain, experiencing all the miracles that they had experienced, all the ways God's presence was right there with them? How did they go from that? To worshiping a little piece of metal that they watched someone make? And more importantly, how can we make sure, knowing what we know about God and who he is, that we don't worship lesser things?" [43:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The cure for a short memory is daily remembering God's faithfulness. The scriptures are full of examples of this. They just sing with God's faithfulness. Deuteronomy 7.9 says, No, therefore, that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." [47:22] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Maybe the reason we as Christians find our loyalties in tribal factions and ideologies is because we've lost sense of the worshipful awe before a God who is not a set of doctrines or a motivation for institutional survival or a national deity or a political mascot. Maybe our clamoring for those sorts of minds is because we become bored, unsurprised by joy, unamazed by grace." [50:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We look into the scriptures and they just sing, what the awesomeness of God and the character of Christ. I mean, when I read the Bible, I'm amazed by the plan of God as it unfolds over centuries and centuries. Predicted hundreds of years in advance, the birth of Jesus. And the more I read it, the bigger it gets. The more questions I have, the bigger it gets. And nothing gets bigger than Jesus himself." [52:15] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands. The one who makes the galaxies and the stars, who makes the heavens and the earth, and is intimately involved in our lives as well, is the only one worthy of worship. The only truly awesome thing." [56:25] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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