Walking in the fear of the Lord
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 45:15
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Handout
Fear!
Fear!
When is fear a good thing? Tonight we are going to look at what many may want to avoid, fear, fear of the Lord that is. What is it, why is it important and how can we develop it.
Question: When you think of fear, what do you think of? Do you think that fear can be healthy?
(Fear picture inserted here)
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
The church enjoyed peace, going in the fear of the Lord (Act9:31)
It was a time of comfort and continued increase (growth) too.
Let me give you an interpretive, paraphrase version too and you will notice the word “fear” is replaced with “reverence”
31 Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.
From a time of great persecution, to a great conversion we get to a time of calm, peace and multiplication. The church often grows in a time of trouble, persecution. That has always been the case as exampled in the N.T. and in history. My prayer is that even with Covid-19 may we continue to grow when people are having more fear, may we be a light to bring fear of the Lord to them.
Paul says work out your own salvation in fear and trembling (Php2:12)
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
The concept of fear, much less fear and trembling are not a popular concept today. At one time the church wanted to scare the hell out of people with the hellfire and brimstone messages. Today many have gone the other way and it is a bunch of feel good, God is good, God is great and God is merciful and fear is not spoken of at all. Must we not forget that God is just, God is righteous and God is Holy and that God has holy indignation, many don’t want to see God like that. They say “that’s the God of the Old Testament, and I have the God of grace today.”
Question: Do you think the church (body of believers) has lost the concept of fear and trembling today?
(Transition) so, again tonight I want us to look at what does fear of the Lord mean. Why is it important to know and have fear of the Lord, and finally how we can grow a healthy fear of the Lord.
Defining “fear of the Lord”
Defining “fear of the Lord”
Worldly fear, Godly fear and they are worlds apart, one paralyzes you and keeps you in bondage, the other frees you and you are in reverence to the God who has freed you from worldly fear.
(Fear and faith picture inserted here)
Question: Is it possible for fear and faith to coexist?
(expand on that for 1-2 minutes; use an illustration)
(Defining fear of the Lord picture inserted here)
Read the slide, or have someone read it.
Fear of the Lord illustrated (Mt10:28)
28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Fear Him who is able to destroy soul and body (Mt10:28)
Question: why are we to fear Him, and who is the Him in (Mt10:28)?
I think maybe we need to take a jaunt over to Mt10 and see the context
Is there a contradiction in scripture (Mt10:27-31)?
27 “What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Question: (Mt10:27-31) says fear the Lord and then says do not fear, is this a contradiction?
(stop and discuss that for a few minutes)
So maybe we should know, have understanding, application that a proper fear of the Lord is to have reverence, an awe of God. IT is also a trembling in fear when people know there is an offence of God where forgiveness is not obtained.
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.
In (Heb10:26-27) fear, trembling, is demonstrated by a terrifying expectation of judgment for those who go on sinning willfully.
jump down a few verses
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In Heb10:30-31 it is terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(Transition) So, I think we can see we have seen the biblical definition of fear of the Lord a well as the link to trembling, now may we press on to the importance of understanding and the application.
Importance of fear of the Lord
Importance of fear of the Lord
Looks look at some cause and effect of a proper understanding of the “fear of the Lord.”
A Proverbial look
It is the beginning of knowledge (Pro1:7)
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
It causes one to hate evil (Pro8:13)
13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
Question: According to (Pro8:13) what is a proper fear of the Lord in application here?
It will prolong life (Pro10:27)
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
It provides confidence and is a fountain of life (Pro14:26-27)
26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
Question: According to (Pro14:26-27) what does a proper understanding and application of the fear of the Lord bring? What are the results?
It motivates one to to keep away from evil (Pro16:6)
6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
It also leads to life and one to be untouched by evil (Pro19:23)
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
Well, how about it brings reward, riches, honor and life (Pro22:4)
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.
(Transition) so I think there is lots of application, proverbial application in “fear of the Lord” but then there is the other side of the coin
Without fear of the Lord
We close ourselves off from God’s wisdom and knowledge
We can be overcome by evil, even flirt with it
Life can be shortened due to sinful choices (prepare marriage sex etc)
We will not come to know the Lord and have His salvation
Without it, we will not repent of our sin and turn to God
And, just one more we will not have the desire, be motivated to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (our transformation process)
Without proper fear of the Lord we cannot please God (Isa66:1-2)
1 Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? 2 “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
God looks to the one who is humble has a contrite spirit and trembles at His Word.
Question: what does it mean to have a contrite spirit and tremble at God’s Word (Isa66:1-2)?
An everlasting reward for the one who fears the Lord (Ps103:17-19)
17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them. 19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.
I have not asked this question today, what do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you in this passage?
Question: According to (Ps103:17-19) who is the lovingkindness of the Lord for?
(Transition): we have the definition; we have the importance and the application even, so now how about how to develop it?
Developing proper fear of the Lord.
Developing proper fear of the Lord.
To develop something is to grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced or to elaborate. So to develop a healthy fear of the Lord takes understanding, application and time, so lets look at the source and the application now and then be willing to put in the application and the time to develop it.
Development comes from the word of God (Rom10:17; Deu31:10-13; Rom2:4-11; 2Pt3:7-14)
Faith comes by hearing, hearing from the word of Christ (Rom10:17)
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
There was a good example in the O.T. of getting the word of God in, so can develop a healthy fear o the Lord that is applicable
10 Then Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place which He will choose, you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing.
12 “Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. 13 “Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
Question: What is the instructions and the reason for the instructions in (Deu31:10-13)?
It was to hear the word so can observe the word! In other words to apply the word!
One who reads the word who hides in their heart should gain a healthy understanding and application of the fear of the Lord. Consider this passage when you do not have that and apply that.
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
Or if that is not enough for you let’s consider 2Pt3:7-14, but you better turn there in your bible.
7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
Question: According to (2Pt3:7-14) what is the application and why does it need to be applied?
The Word, the whole counsel of God, will give us a proper balance to develop a proper fear of the Lord.
As mentioned when we started some like to look at God’s love and mercy and not Gods holiness and justice and they do not develop a healthy fear of the Lord if they have one at all.
The other side is the hell fire and brimstone that leave out Gods love, mercy and grace, this too is not a healthy fear of the Lord.
We must learn to develop a good understanding of all of God’s word if we want to develop a healthy fear of the Lord.
(Transition) So be careful how we use the word of God, but we do need to use it for it brings the gospel message, it brings faith, it brings salvation, and it develops a healthy fear of the Lord.
Some closing thoughts:
God is to be greatly feared (Ps89:7)
7 A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him?
Our fear, healthy fear, applicable fear is to have an awesome reverential fear of the Lord.
Godly fear needed so we will be motivated to work our our salvation with fear and trembling (Act9:31; Php2:12)
The fear of the Lord is mixed with faith to assure the promise that remains (Heb4:1-2)
1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
Question: what is the instruction; what is the warning? What is the promise (Heb4:1-2)?
Just a couple more scriptures and we will close, just some application
Be diligent, lest anyone fall short (Heb4:11)
11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
(Encouragement/close) - Since we have the understanding, we have the application (instructions) now we need to apply the instructions so we may have the promises.
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Love how it is worded in a paraphrase version
1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.
(Encouragement slide- perfecting holiness) encouragement, with this understanding and application given we must ask ourselves are we cleansing ourselves because of the fear of the Lord and having holiness perfected in us? (Prayer) (Exit Slide)