Bethel Church Choctaw
What It Means To Fear God
Pastor Dr. D.L. Temple
Locations & Times
Bethel Church Choctaw
3254 N Choctaw Rd, Choctaw, OK 73020, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
INTRODUCTION:
There are three kinds of fear.
1. A natural and instinctive fear placed in us for self-preservation.
2. An unnatural fear that is satanic. It comes from Satan and his demon forces.
3. A Godly fear which speaks of reverence to God.
The subject “The Fear Of God,” is not a popular subject among many today.
We need to understand that God is a God of love and mercy, but He is also a God of judgment.
I believe the greater emphasis on God's love and mercy today is probably a result of the "hell fire, and brimstone" preaching of earlier years.
We have gone from one extreme to the other where now there is no concept of "the fear of the Lord" as it relates to the Christian.
This could be why many Christians are apathetic in their service to God.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FEAR GOD.
The fear of God means to be in utter, absolute awe of God and overwhelmed by His holiness, power, purity, righteousness, justice, and His greatness and glory.
To fear God is not to be afraid of Him, but to stand in awe of Him.
When you think of what a parent/child relationship is to be it helps you to understand this divine concept.
If we are lost and living in sin, we have a good reason to be afraid of God and His judgement because we are not right with Him and are destined for judgment and condemnation.
But if we are His redeemed people, there is no reason to be terrified of Him, but every reason to show Him reverence and honor.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Savior, fearing God means to revere, honor, exalt, hold in high regard, worship, obey and honor Him as our Creator and Judge.
DEVELOPING THE FEAR OF GOD
The fear of God comes through an understanding of the Word of God.
Just as "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God", the same can be said for the fear of God.
As one reads the Word of God, they should gain a healthy degree of the "fear of God."
The Word of God, properly used, will maintain a proper Fear of God.
Some read only those portions that reveal God's love and mercy, and have no "fear of the Lord".
Others emphasize the "hell fire, and brimstone" passages, and know nothing of God's everlasting love and mercy.
The one develops an attitude of permissiveness that belittles God's holiness and justice.
The other develops a fear of terror that forgets God's grace and compassion. So we must be careful how we use the Word of God.
WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT FEARING THE LORD?
Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord favors those who fear Him.”
We receive His grace and blessings when our attitude toward God is one of reverence and high esteem.
According to Psalm 33:8, God desires everyone to fear Him: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
However, Romans 3:18 reveals the world’s current attitude toward God: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Instead of honoring Him, they see the Lord as a problem. His commands are contrary to their desires, and His conviction of their sin makes them uncomfortable.
WHY SHOULD BELIEVERS FEAR GOD?
The Lord requires it of us. “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him” (Deut. 13:4).
Fearing God gives knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7).
Many people are smart, well-educated, and knowledgeable on many subjects, yet they are totally ignorant about what matters most because they don’t know or fear God.
It makes us wise. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10).
True wisdom doesn’t come from education but from God. He’s the one who gives us insight regarding what to do, when to act, how to respond, what to believe, and what to reject.
It keeps us from evil. “By the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil” (Prov. 16:6).
A deep reverence for God produces a desire for righteousness and a hatred of sin.
It’s healing to our body. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:7-8).
As believers, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, and we should treat them as such.
It gives confidence. “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence” (Prov. 14:26).
Boldness and assurance comes as a result of living dependent upon God, knowing His continual presence and help is with us in every situation we face.
It’s a fountain of life. “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life” (Prov. 14:27).
When we reverence and exalt God, we’ll understand that He’s in control of our lives, watching over us and guiding our path.
God will fulfill our desire. “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him” (Ps. 145:19).
If we are following the Lord in obedience and living as He wants, He knows that our desires will always be to pleases Him and align with His will (Ps. 37:4).
The fear of the Lord gives divine protection. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them” (Ps. 34:7).
We should never underestimate the mighty power of God and His willingness to protect us. Psalm 91 speaks of His awesome protection for those who live in His shelter.
It prolongs life. “The fear of the Lord prolongs life” (Prov. 10:27).
The wisest decision we can ever make is to fear the living God by honoring, obeying, exalting, worshipping, and trusting Him all the days of our life.
CONCLUSION:
There are three kinds of fear.
1. A natural and instinctive fear placed in us for self-preservation.
2. An unnatural fear that is satanic. It comes from Satan and his demon forces.
3. A Godly fear which speaks of reverence to God.
The subject “The Fear Of God,” is not a popular subject among many today.
We need to understand that God is a God of love and mercy, but He is also a God of judgment.
I believe the greater emphasis on God's love and mercy today is probably a result of the "hell fire, and brimstone" preaching of earlier years.
We have gone from one extreme to the other where now there is no concept of "the fear of the Lord" as it relates to the Christian.
This could be why many Christians are apathetic in their service to God.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FEAR GOD.
The fear of God means to be in utter, absolute awe of God and overwhelmed by His holiness, power, purity, righteousness, justice, and His greatness and glory.
To fear God is not to be afraid of Him, but to stand in awe of Him.
When you think of what a parent/child relationship is to be it helps you to understand this divine concept.
If we are lost and living in sin, we have a good reason to be afraid of God and His judgement because we are not right with Him and are destined for judgment and condemnation.
But if we are His redeemed people, there is no reason to be terrified of Him, but every reason to show Him reverence and honor.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Savior, fearing God means to revere, honor, exalt, hold in high regard, worship, obey and honor Him as our Creator and Judge.
DEVELOPING THE FEAR OF GOD
The fear of God comes through an understanding of the Word of God.
Just as "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God", the same can be said for the fear of God.
As one reads the Word of God, they should gain a healthy degree of the "fear of God."
The Word of God, properly used, will maintain a proper Fear of God.
Some read only those portions that reveal God's love and mercy, and have no "fear of the Lord".
Others emphasize the "hell fire, and brimstone" passages, and know nothing of God's everlasting love and mercy.
The one develops an attitude of permissiveness that belittles God's holiness and justice.
The other develops a fear of terror that forgets God's grace and compassion. So we must be careful how we use the Word of God.
WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT FEARING THE LORD?
Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord favors those who fear Him.”
We receive His grace and blessings when our attitude toward God is one of reverence and high esteem.
According to Psalm 33:8, God desires everyone to fear Him: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
However, Romans 3:18 reveals the world’s current attitude toward God: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Instead of honoring Him, they see the Lord as a problem. His commands are contrary to their desires, and His conviction of their sin makes them uncomfortable.
WHY SHOULD BELIEVERS FEAR GOD?
The Lord requires it of us. “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him” (Deut. 13:4).
Fearing God gives knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7).
Many people are smart, well-educated, and knowledgeable on many subjects, yet they are totally ignorant about what matters most because they don’t know or fear God.
It makes us wise. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10).
True wisdom doesn’t come from education but from God. He’s the one who gives us insight regarding what to do, when to act, how to respond, what to believe, and what to reject.
It keeps us from evil. “By the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil” (Prov. 16:6).
A deep reverence for God produces a desire for righteousness and a hatred of sin.
It’s healing to our body. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:7-8).
As believers, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, and we should treat them as such.
It gives confidence. “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence” (Prov. 14:26).
Boldness and assurance comes as a result of living dependent upon God, knowing His continual presence and help is with us in every situation we face.
It’s a fountain of life. “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life” (Prov. 14:27).
When we reverence and exalt God, we’ll understand that He’s in control of our lives, watching over us and guiding our path.
God will fulfill our desire. “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him” (Ps. 145:19).
If we are following the Lord in obedience and living as He wants, He knows that our desires will always be to pleases Him and align with His will (Ps. 37:4).
The fear of the Lord gives divine protection. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them” (Ps. 34:7).
We should never underestimate the mighty power of God and His willingness to protect us. Psalm 91 speaks of His awesome protection for those who live in His shelter.
It prolongs life. “The fear of the Lord prolongs life” (Prov. 10:27).
The wisest decision we can ever make is to fear the living God by honoring, obeying, exalting, worshipping, and trusting Him all the days of our life.
CONCLUSION:
