THE FEAR OF GOD

Walking inGodly Fear

Defining Fear

• “Signifies first caution, then reverence, godly respect, and awe, mixed with love and man’s piety toward God. Can also mean terror or being scared.”

Proverbs 1:7

Defining Fear

“The fear of the LORD is the

beginning of knowledge, But

fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 9:10

Defining Fear

“The fear of the LORD is the

beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the

Holy One is understanding.”

Fear Must Be Taught

•Man must learn this attribute.–Place into men’s heart–Dose of reverence–Put things in proper focus

Fear Must Be Taught

A Learned Attribute

“…Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear

My words, that they may learn to fear

Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may

teach their children.”

Deuteronomy 4:10

Fear Must Be Taught

A Learned Attribute

“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach

you the fear of the LORD.”

Psalm 34:11

Fear Must Be Taught

A Learned Attribute

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to

destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

Fear Must Be Taught

A Learned Attribute

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work

out your own salvation with fear

and trembling.”Philippians

2:12

Our Objective

• We need to pray for God to help us “walk in the fear of the Lord.”

• We need to challenge ourselves to study more about fear.

– Mark every reference in your Bible.– Study the context of the passages.– What did you learn about fear?

Claims to Fear

Abraham

“And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from

Me.”Genesis 22:12

Claims to Fear

Joseph

“Then Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this and

live, for I fear God.”

Genesis 42:18

Claims to Fear

Nehemiah

“O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the

prayer of Your servant, and to the

prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name;

…”

Nehemiah 1:11

Claims to Fear

Jonah

“So he said to them, "I am a

Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God

of heaven, who made the sea and

the dry land.”Jonah 1:9

Claims to Fear

Obedient

“And release those who through fear of death were all

their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Hebrews 2:15

Claims to Fear

Jesus

“Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and

supplications, with vehement cries and

tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly

fear.”Hebrews 5:7

Purpose and Summation of Life

• If we fail to fear—we have failed in life!

• If we don’t teach our children to fear God, we have failed them.

• Those who don’t truly fear the Lord have no real meaning or purpose in life.– Ecclesiastes 12:13,14– Proverbs 23:17 ??

Fearing God—Pleases God

• Learning and growing in the “fear of the Lord” pleases Him!– Psalm 2:11– Psalm 33:18– Psalm 34:9,15– Acts 10:35

What It Means to Fear

Heads Tails

Afraid of Displeasing

God1 Samuel 11:7Psalm 119:120

Isaiah 66:2Hebrews 10:31; 12:29

Respect & AweDeuteronomy 28:58

Acts 9:31Ephesians 3:21

Hebrews 4:1

What it Causes Us To Do

•Be obedient to His will– John 14:15

•Be dedicated– Matthew 6:33

•Hate sin– Psalm 119:104

What It Causes Us To Do

•Honor God– Revelation 4:11

•Respect His Word– Colossians 3:17

•Respect others and treat them correctly– Romans 12:10

Lessons To Learn

• It goes beyond obeying the gospel…

• It goes beyond attending church services…

• One who marries—marries one who “fears the Lord...”

• It is a way of life seen in all we do.• DO YOU FEAR THE LORD?