Sermons

What is "the fear of the Lord?" - Part 1

Pastor: Joe Cummings


These notes are only partial and are designed to accompany the sermon.  Please join us each Sunday morning for the full experience!

What the "Fear of the Lord" is NOT

  • Natural fear: the fear you might experience when riding a roller coaster or bungie jumping
  • Demonic fear: 2 Timothy 1:7 - This fear proceeds from satan and keeps us from doing God's will.  Demonic fear is designed to torment us.
  • Religious fear: Isaiah 29:13 - produced and taught by man.  Religious fear is often superstitious and superficial.
  • Fear of man: Proverbs 29:25 - This fear occurs when you fear men more than God.  It holds us back from obeying God.

What the "Fear of the Lord" IS

  • The fear of the Lord is obedience to the first of the Ten Commandments.  Exodus 20:3
  • Jesus as our pattern: What part did the "fear of the Lord" play in Jesus' life? Isaiah 11:1-3, Revelation 4:5
  • The seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit.  Hebrews 5:7-8
  • The early church as our pattern.  What part did the "fear of the Lord" play in the early church?  Acts 9:31
  • The results: They had peace, were edified and multiplied.
  • How we need to relate to one another.  Ephesians 5:20-21

Why we all need to cultivate the "fear of the Lord" in our lives

  • 1 Peter 1:17-19
  • Two reasons why we need to have this attitude of reverent fear
    -We are all going to have to give an account of ourselves to God
    -The price that God was willing to pay for our redemption
  • Illustration:  How do you take care of a cheap watch?  How does that differ from how you would care for a Rolex?
  • Distinctive marks of the fear of the Lord
    -It motivates us to do the will of God
    -It produces peace 
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