Sunday, March 14, 2021
Fear This!
Luke 12:4-5
The loss of the “fear of the Lord” has created a lack of respect, and therefore a reflection of the truths of God. Rediscovering the “fear of the Lord” is needed by both Christians and non-Christians.
Understanding God’s Wrath
Beginning any discussion on the wrath of God, we must deal with the nature of God which is love. I John 4:8 “God is love.”
God was not wrathful when there was no sin. God’s wrath is not an essential aspect of his character. Rather, God’s wrath is the product of God’s holiness and justice.
The “Fear of The Lord” is a fear of this holy and just God’s response to sin and unrepentant sinners.
I. Defining the “Fear of the Lord”
· The Hebrew and Greek words for “fear” and “reverence” vary.
· The "fear of the Lord" should include a place for "trembling.”
A proper "fear of the Lord" would then include...
· Reverence and Awe
· Being afraid to offend God in any way.
· A trembling and quaking if one knows they have offended God and have not obtained forgiveness.
II. The Importance of the "Fear of the Lord”
· Hope springs from confidence in a powerful God.
· I sense truth when I see God.
· I rest in the power of this great God!
· My life is insecure when I try to please men.
· God is never changing.
· Life becomes simple when I follow God.
Without the "fear of the Lord"...
· We close ourselves to the treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge!
· We will flirt with evil and be corrupted by it.
· Our lives are likely to be shortened by our refusal to heed God's word.
· We will not come to know the love of God that gives us assurance and confidence of our salvation.
· When fallen into sin, we will not be motivated to repent and turn to God!
· We will not be motivated to truly "work out our own salvation!”
