Revererent Scout Series

A Scout is Reverent

Text: Hebrews 5:7-9

Date: February 5, 2012 Scout Sunday

Pastor Ron Baker, West Union Christian Church of Christ

“Leading People to Life’s True Purpose and Joy in Christ”

INTRODUCTION

This is Scout Sunday, and I am so glad to have our scouts here with us today. I love the scouting program because of what it stands for and for what the children can learn from being a part of it.

The scout oath is . . . On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

The Boy Scout Law

A Scout is:

• Trustworthy,

• Loyal,

• Helpful,

• Friendly,

• Courteous,

• Kind,

• Obedient,

• Cheerful,

• Thrifty,

• Brave,

• Clean,

• and Reverent.

The Boy Scout Motto is . . . Be Prepared!

The Boy Scout Slogan is . . . Do a Good Turn Daily.

This morning I want to speak to you about one of the twelve points of the Boy Scout Law. I want to help you better understand what it means to be reverent. I hope this message will especially be beneficial for our scouts as well as for everyone who is here with us today.

The word “reverent” means to be very respectful.

The scripture text that I want to use this morning is Hebrews 5:7-10

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

This is the scene at Gethsemane where Jesus Christ suffered great anguish anticipating the terrible death upon a cruel Roman cross where He would become our sacrifice for sin. Our Lord offered up prayers and wept bitterly under the weight of what He had to bear.

Jesus Christ lifted up loud cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission to God.

The first point that I want to make this morning is that we need to . . .

1. Revere the people of God

Exodus 20:12 says that we are to honor and revere our parents. This is the right thing to do.

Romans 12:10 tells us to “be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

This is a great principle for relationships. If more people would revere or respect other people above themselves, more people would get along better with each other.

What is most common in our world today is selfishness, pride, and arrogance. The truth is most people live very selfish lives, thinking only of themselves instead of others. People seldom ever think of how they could sacrificially please others or how they could please God with their lives.

1Timothy 5:17 tells us that “the elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

The apostle Paul said that the Lord’s servants who take the responsibility of leading the Lord’s church by teaching and preaching deserve honor and reverence.

2. Revere the places of God

Luke 19:45-46 Then he (Jesus) entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be a house of prayer'; {Isaiah 56:7} but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" {Jeremiah 7:11}

Our Lord Jesus Christ was angry with those who were taking advantage of people’s circumstances and cheating them out of their money in a holy place that was designated as a house of prayer.

Like our Lord, we too need to respect our church buildings which are designated places of worship and prayer to God. We need to maintain the church property and do that in a way that would honor the Lord. Whatever we do for the Lord should be our best effort.

3. Revere the things of God

It would be good for all of us to revere the Ten Commandments that God gave His chosen people at Mt. Sinai. Our moral law code is founded upon these laws of God. They are . . .

1) You shall have no other gods before me

2) You shall not make for yourself an idol

3) You shall not misuse the name of the Lord you God