Learning to Fear the Lord | Proverbs 1:7 Pastor Bill Curtis | January 8, 2017

Sermon Notes

Benefits of Fearing the Lord

• : 1:7

• : 8:13; 16:6; 23:17

• : 9:10

• : 10:27

• : 14:2

• : 14:26

• : 14:27; 19:23

• : 15:16

• : 15:33

• : 22:4; 28:14

• : 24:21

• : 31:30

Journey Group Questions

1. Read this definition of the Fear of the Lord and answer the following questions: “The fear of the Lord, so often recommended in this book, is not that fear which hath torment in it, and is excluded by love; but that fear which is joined with faith, and keeps it from degenerating into presumption, whilst faith keeps fear from sinking into despondency. It is a lively impression of the excellency of God upon the soul, whereby a man is disposed to walk before him unto all pleasing, and to put far away every thing provoking and offensive to the eyes of his glory. It is therefore justly made to signify the whole of religion in the heart and life of man (George Lawson [1749-1820], Proverbs, 7).”

a. Lawson states that fear will keep our faith from presuming upon God’s grace, while our faith will keep fear from stealing our joy. How does a diminished view of the “fear of the Lord” impact our personal discipleship? How should this work in our own lives?

b. Lawson states that a correct view and practice of the fear of the Lord will produce obedience in our lives, as we put off the deeds of the old man (Col 3:5-10). How do we maintain a proper view of the “fear of the Lord” without descending into pride and judgmentalism?

c. Lawson states that the phrase “the fear of the Lord” is “made to signify the whole of religion in the heart and life of man.” In other words, the single defining attitude of our lives, the one from which all other thoughts and actions derive, is “the fear of the Lord.” Scripture reveals that God’s singular quality is holiness, and his primary command to us is “to be holy as I am holy (Lev 11:44).” How does a proper “fear of the Lord” motivate us towards holiness?