THE FEAR OF GOD/THE LORD

Text: Ps 5:4-7, Ps 25:12-14, Ecc. 12:13-14, Rom. 11:21-22.

Intro– We live in a world that is not only full of pain but also full of fear. Jer 6:24-25.

  • The language of fear is so rampered- that is – don’t go there, don’t eat such food etc.
  • God doesn’t want us to live in fear, but to enjoy freedom from fear- (The 365 fear not in the bible)
  • But there is one fear that is absolutely essential that is the fear of the Lord.

3 types of fear

  • Circular fear
  • This fear can be healthy and unhealthy (healthy- keep us protected) e.g God foundation- look well before you cross the road, let there be green light, don’t touch the nacked electric wire- this is the fear of electrocution etc.
  • Gen 9:2– God put our fear in animals to keep us safe
  • Though there are some animals we fear e. g. lion, bear etc. Amos 3:8
  • Nation fear nation e.g North Korea, many nations fear America- Matt 24:7 talks about rumours of wars- earthquakes, fire outbreak, famine etc.
  • Gen 32:11– Jacob feared Esau his twin brother. Whom or what are you fearing? – Man fear man. 26:7, Gen. 33:3-7
  • Fear of unknown- it can result into healthy/unhealthy.
  • This circular fear is the consequency of sin. Gen 3:9-10.
  • Before sin, our relationship with God, man, environment was good/pleasant but when sin came in, fear was manifested.

 

  • Religious fear.
  • This type of fear respect and dread of a Supreme Being, the Deity of God etc.
  • Those who are serving idols fear them when they failed to satisfy them.
  • This religious fear is not circular, God does not want us to serve these idols
  • – Jer 10 :1-15, 1 Cor 8:4-6.
  • We live in a world where there are many gods and idols, not only circular fear but religious fear. Acts 17:22, Acts 14:11-13, Isa 8:10-12, Ps 34:4.
  • God wants us to be free from circular and religious fear. Ps 34:4, 2 Tim 1:7.
  • God does not want unhealthy fear to be in our lives (circular, religious fear) because theycauses-
  1. Panic-

Panic will not let/want you to think well/straight and you cannot act properly under the influence of panic.

  1. It causes unhealthy pressure.
  2. It causes problem (of panic attack) in finance, family, career e.gPharaoh in Exo 1:8-11, Herod in Matt 2:1-4.
  3. It leads to powerlessness (fear drains energy)
  4. It causes paralysis e.g Israel/Goliath- Isam 17
  5. It causes privation (oppression, destitue, bondage etc.)
  6. It causes peacelessness.
  • We need to seek God to get rid of fear in our daily walk in life- Ps 34:4, 2 Tim 1:7, and Rom 8:15-16.
  1. The fear of the Lord
  2. Divination
  • It is not to be terrified or live in terror of the Lord
  • It is not to be running away from God, because our God is not a terrorising Father, He is a loving and friendly Father.
  • This fear is a proper and healthy sense of all respect, honour and wonder that is inspired and demanded by an encounter with God.
  • This comes as one experience or ponder on God’s attributes, character and action.
  • God alone must be the object of our fear. Deut 6:13-16, Jer 32:34-40.
  1. Description of fear of the Lord.
  2. The beginning of the wisdom- Job 28:28, Ps 111:10
  3. The beginning of knowledge- Ps 1:7
  • Hatred of evil. Prov 8:13.
  1. Fountain of life- Prov. 14:27, (Jer. 2:13)
  2. Treasure of saints. Prov. 15:16, Isa 33:6
  3. Friendly and reverential- Heb 12:28-29, Heb 12:7-10.
  • Sanctifying (makes us better people) Ps. 19:9.
  1. Motivation-
  • What motivate us to fear God. (Though we are commanded to fear God)
  1. The revelation of God to us (the transcendence of God) Isa 55:8-9.
  • The God that is higher than us. Isa 40:21-22
  • It reveals to us as God that is higher than all things.

He deserve to be reverence, honour and fear.

  1. The holiness of God– Isa 6:1-5, Rev 15:4, Exo 3:1-5
  • That is whyAdam and evil hid themselves from Him when they sinned- Gen 3:9-11.
  • His greatness (in love, power and mercy etc.). Deut 10:12, 17.
  1. His name- Prov 18:10, Ps 99:2-3, Deut 28:58.
  • The goodness of God. 1 Sam 12:24, 2 Sam 7:18-20, Rom 2:4, Ps 103:3-4.

Vi) His wondrous works. Josh. 5:8-9, (The Red Sea wonders)

  • Who makes ways, where there is no way. Isa 43:16,19, Jos 4:23-24.

VII)   The severity of God (judgement of God). Rev. 14:6-7

  • His judgement is always holy, righteous etc.

The examples of his judgements

  • Korah and his company. 16:6, 21-32.
  • The songs of sons of Korah– Ps. 42, 45-49, 81, 85.
  • They speaks and teach us about the fear of God.
  • Miriam– Num. 12:1-15.
  • Ananiah and his wife. Acts 5:1-11.etc
  • God does not judge without warning. Ezek 33:11
  • Judgement of God can be severe to make us fear.Matt10:27-28

 

  • The necessity of the fear of God
  1. True worship of God (only those who truly know Him 89:6-7, Ps. 5 4-7, (7).

(It produce true worship).

  • God knows, sees everything. 14:1-14, Heb 12:13.
  1. Acceptable service of God. (Not from Pastor/man) Heb 12:28-29.
  • The profitable service is the acceptable service. 2:10-11.
  • Therefore give God the best of you, resources. 1:6-8.
  1. Godly living. Job 28:28g Joseph. Gen 39:7-9.
  • That is to hate what He hates and love what He loves. 2 Tim 2:22.
  • Acts in wisdom to do righteously in all things. Phil 2:12-13.
  1. Effective prayer. 50:15-22, Heb. 5:7-8, Jam. 5:17.
  2. Godly, good leadership and government. 2 Sam. 23:1-4 (3).
  • The wicked Kings, Mannasseh, Ahab etc. (Nigeria leaders).
  • Good government produces justices not injustice. 13:1-8.
  1. Orderly society, nations. 1 Pet. 2:13-17, Acts 5:10-11.

Pro. 14:34, 2 Chro. 19:6-10 (There areExecutive, Legislation, Judiciary) but God is all the arms of government,Isa. 33:26. (Theocracy)

  • Fear of the Lord produces a nation of justice and harmony. Pro 14:34, (all the institution are honest).
  1. Pursuant of holiness and heaven. 2 Cor 6:14-18, 2 Cor 7:1

 

  • Effective and benefits of the fear of God.
  1. Comprehensive blessings (not only in monetary. Ps 112:1, Ps 128:1-6.
  2. Uncommon knowledge and wisdom e.g Daniel and his brethren. 1, Pro 1:7,

Ps 111:10.

  1. They give pleasure to God (pleasing God). 147:10-11.
  • King Saul the tallest in Israel was rejected because he fails in pleasing God. I Sam. 15:26
  • Enjoy the secret of the Lord. 29:29, Gen. 18:17-20, Ps. 25 :12-14.
  1. Divine attention and compassion. Ps 33:18-19, Ps 103:11, 17, Lk 1:50.
  2. God goodness. Ps 31:19, Isa. 33:6.
  3. Reward of prosperity. 6:24-26, Pro 2:24, and Ps 25:12-13.
  4. Answer prayer- 5:7, Mal. 3:16.
  5. Divine healing and deliverance. 4:2.
  6. Divine provision. Exo 1:17-21, Matt 6:33, Ps 34:9-10.
  7. Longevity of Life.
  • Days can be multiply, added, cut short, be prolong etc. Isa 38:5, Job 42:16-17,

Ps. 34:11-14,   Lk 12 vs 15-17.

  1. Desires fulfilled. 145:17-20. (19).
  • God will fulfil the dreams and desires of those who fear Him. Ps 37:4.
  1. Guarantee success (especially in leadership) 2 Chro 26:5.
  2. Escape the wrath and judgement of God. Pro 19:23, Heb 11:7-9, 2 Pt 2:5-9.

 

  • Expression of the fear of God
  1. In word
  2. In attitude and posture
  3. In worship.
  • In (a) the word of the wicked. Ps 10:1-4.
  • It will show in all His doings.
  • Those who fear the Lord- Eph 4:29-31.

Dan. 6:10, Exo. 12:27, Gen. 17:1-3, Exo. 3:5, Ezra 9:5.

  • When coming to the house of God, our dressing, thinking etc. will show in our attitude.

 

  • The acquisition of fear of God
  1. a) Through prayer. Ps 86:11.
  2. b) Through the Word of God. (Reading, studying, hearing, meditating etc.).

Deut 17:18-19.

* We encounter God in His Word. Jn 1:1-3.

  1. c) Fellowship and communication. Deut 14:23-24.
  2. d) Listen to testimonies (about goodness and judgement of God, our own testimonies, how He protect and bless us) 12:11b

8)  Many advantages to the fear God in life. Pro 1:19-23.

  1. Fear of the Lord produces desire to love God.
  2. Increase faith and deepen trust in God.
  3. Create expectation from God.
  4. Eliminate all unhealthy fear.
  5. Produce satisfactory and fulfilled life.
  • It shall not be well with the wicked. Ps 36:1-4, Pro 1:29, Isa 57:21.

 

  • Biblical example of those who fear God.
  1. Abraham Gen 22:12.
  2. Gen 39:7-18
  3. Nehemiah- Neh 5:15. (Good/successful leader).
  4. Job- Job 1:1,8.
  5. Acts 10
  6. Obadiah- 1 Kg 18:12.
  7. Heb 11:7-10
  8. The early Christians. Acts 9:31.

Summary– The fear of the Lord promote, exalt, bless, protect, favour and His presence nearer. etc.

Shalom