“Have We Lost Our Awe of Jesus?”

“Have We Lost Our Awe of Jesus?”

Pastor Alec Shimizu

November 23, 2025  

We know we’ve lost our sense of awe when we’ve the Lion of Judah in our hearts.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬-‭29‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

Looking back at what Jesus , and looking forward to what He , will help us to recapture our awe of Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. What was something significant for you in the message?
2. Familiarity can cause us to lose our awe of God, like seeing a lion over and over at the zoo. What is something in your life that has caused your sense of wonder and excitement about Jesus to fade? What specific action can you take this week to recapture a sense of reverence and awe in Him?
3. Because Jesus is our Mediator, we have full access to God. What is a specific hope, desire, or prayer that you have been too ashamed or afraid to bring to God, but will now bring with joyful confidence?
4. One of the points in the message was, ‘Looking back at what Jesus has done, and looking forward to what He will do, will help us to recapture our awe of Him.’ Share a specific life event that was difficult, but that you now recognize was part of His perfect plan for your life. Explain how this realization inspires a fresh sense of awe, joy, or love for Christ.