1. The fear of the Lord is a theme common to both the Old and New Testaments.
2. The expression “the fear of the Lord” (30) or the admonition “fear the Lord” (30) “fear God” (10) “fear of God” (8) appears often in the Scripture.
3. It is a vital part of our relationship with God.
TOPIC SENTENCE:
Today I would like to lead you through the Scriptures that answer three key questions about the fear of the Lord.
I. WHAT IS IT?
A. THE WORD "FEAR"...
1. In the Hebrew, the word is "YIR'AH" and is used in the Old Testament to describe:
a. fear, terror
b. awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
c. fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
2. The Greek word is "PHOBOS", and it is used to describe:
a. fear, dread, terror
b. that which strikes terror
B. Illustration of fire or electricity.
We value, use, and depend on both, but know that there are certain rules that must be followed with each.
--- Honored and feared.
When the rules are broken, there is fear, dread, and uncertainty.
--- Appreciated and respected.
But when the rules are followed there is confidence and appreciation.
C. Definition
1. The awareness that God is watching, weighing, and rewarding all that I do, say, and think.
a. God is watching - He knows all.
Psa 34:15 The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.
2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
d. all that I DO - my actions
Jer 25:14 For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
Rom 2:6 [God] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
e. all that I Say - accounting for each word
Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
Mt 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
f. all that I Think - nothing is hidden
Job 21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Isa 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
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Merrill F. Unger said,"It dreads God's displeasure, desires his favor, reveres his holiness, submits cheerfully to his will, is grateful for his benefits, sincerely worships him, and conscientiously obeys his commandments. Fear and love must coexist in us in order that either passion; may be healthy, and that we may please and rightly serve God."
II. WHY DO YOU WANT IT?
A. The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of knowledge - Pr 1:7
B. The "fear of the Lord" will cause one to hate evil - Pr 8:13
C. The "fear of the Lord" will prolong life - Pr 10:27
D. The "fear of the Lord" provides strong confidence and is a fountain of life - Pr 14:26
E. The "fear of the Lord" is a fountain of life that turns one from the snares of death. Pr 14:27
F. The "fear of the Lord" prompts one to depart from evil – Prov.16:6
G. The "fear of the Lord" leads to a satisfying life, and spares one from much evil - Pr 19:23
H. The "fear of the Lord" (with humility) is the way to riches, honor, and life! - Pr 22:4
III. HOW DO YOU GET IT?
Psa 34:11-18
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
A. STUDY THE COMMANDS OF GOD
Deu 6:2 (Context: The commandments, statutes, and judgments which Lord your God has commanded to teach.)That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Deu 17:19 (Context: The king of Israel should write his copy of the Law in a book) And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
Pro 2:5 (Context: a son who would receive and treasure his father’s words) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
B. SEE OR HEAR ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS GOD HAS DONE
Josh 4:24 (context: God dried up the Jordan River so that the Israelites could cross.) That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
2Ch 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
1. What is it?
The awareness that God is watching, weighing, and rewarding all that I do, say, and think.
2. Why do we want it? It will cause one to hate evil - prolong life - provides strong confidence - is a fountain of life that turns one from the snares of death. - prompts one to depart from evil – leads to a satisfying life - is the way to riches, honor, and life!
3. How do we get it?
Study the commands of God
Study the commands of God
Hear of God’s great works
Thru the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives
B. APPLICATIONS: 2 Peter 3:
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
1. Unsaved: You are under God’s judgment - call out to him!
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting F10 unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2. Saved: Develop a awareness that God is watching, weighing, and rewarding all you do, say, and think and reap the rewards of a godly life.
REFLECTION TIME
In The Chronicles of Narnia, an allegory by C.S. Lewis, the author has two girls, Susan and Lucy, getting ready to meet Aslan the lion, who represents Christ. Two talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, prepare the children for the encounter. "Ooh," said Susan, "I though he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion." "That you will, dearie." said Mrs. Beaver. "And make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knee's knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
"Then isn't he safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you!"
Our Daily Bread, February 17, 1994.
http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/f/fear_of_god.htm
When we come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need, (Heb 4:16) we should be aware that we are entering the presence of the One who declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”, (Isa 46:10), who is of purer eyes than to behold evil (Hab. 1:13), who the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain (1 Ki 8:27), whose understanding is infinite (Ps 147:5), who is the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy (Is 57:15), so that our hearts will be humble, contrite and full of wisdom, so that we would reverence and fear our great Jehovah.
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