THE FEAR OF GOD

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers

I stood here one week ago and taught about intimidate prayers.

I exalted the church to get closer to God and as children of a loving father, embrace his love as we cry Aba father.

Unlike the children of Israel at Sinai, without stepping back from his glory , get closer to him as we pray  our father who is at heaven.

But there has been a misguided gospel that teaches fearing God is contrary to the call to fellowship with him.

Some have shouted how they do not fear God but are friends of God.

I want us to take a few minutes and reflect on God, being a child of God, and a friend of God who also fears him in great measure.

Understanding the Nature of God/ His attributes.

·       The fear of God begins with recognizing His nature. Reflecting on who He is.

·       God is not just a loving figure; He is also mighty, just, and sovereign over all creation.

·       He is omnipotent, He is omniscient, Omnipresent and omnipotent.

Psalm 145:3: "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom".

Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you". 

Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands". 

Malachi 1:11: "For my name will be great among the nations".

We have read many historical facts about God in scripture.

-            How he created the universe.

-            How he consumed the sacrifices of Abraham.

-            How he appeared to pharaoh with signs and wonders.

-            How he consumed the rebels in the wilderness.

-            The death of Ananias and Saphira in the New Testament.

-            The configuration of Jesus.

-            The miracles of Jesus that I cannot stop talking about.

He is a righteous judge who rewards good and punishes evil.

Psalm 9:8: "He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity."

Revelation 20:12: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.

The fear of God is not about physically shaking because you are in his presence, it’s okay to shake if the Holy Spirit takes you to realms behode your control. Do not feel embarrassed.

·       The fear God is about constant reflection on Who God is.The fear of God is the awe that arises from reflecting on his greatness.

 Comprehending His attributes, inspires us to awe and reverence.

This church I called God’s Awe Exaltation Center. Can you think for a moment about that?

We realize that He deserves our respect and devotion, guiding how we live and the choices we make.

The fear of God is less about being frightened and more about knowing we stand before a powerful creator.

·       Abraham in the presence of God.

Genesis 17:3: Abram fell facedown and God spoke to him. 

·       Peter, James, and John fell to the ground when they encountered the glory of God.

Matthew 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell faced down to the ground, terrified.

·       Paul fell to the earth when he saw Christ on the road to Damascus.

Revelation 1:17: John fell at the feet of Jesus at the beginning of his vision on the island of Patmos.

These instances illustrate the profound impact of God's presence on individuals, often leading to a moment of deep surrender and recognition of His power.

Daniel 9: 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Job 28:28“And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'” –

The Benefits of Fearing God

Understanding the benefits that come from fearing God is vital for us as believers.

1.   This fear brings wisdom and knowledge.

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” 

Proverbs 1:7“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” –

Proverbs 9:10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” 

2.   Protection and blessings. 

When we revere Him, we align ourselves with His purposes, allowing His blessings to flow into our lives. Embracing the fear of God assures us that we will be kept safe from danger and guided through life’s challenges.

Proverbs 14:26 “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” –

Psalm 34:9“Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” 

Malachi 4:2“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.”

Isaiah 33:6“He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” –

We will know that the greatest virtual to impact in your children is the fear of God, they will fear him in private and in public.

3.   The Fear of God Is a Source of Strength AND PEACE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

·       Reminding us that we can always trust in His promises.

·       The fear of God can act as a source of strength during these times.

·       Knowing we serve a God who is in control and compassionate empowers us to face adversity with courage.

·       When we turn to God and place Him at the center of our lives, we draw strength from His presence.

·       By embracing the fear of God, we can stand strong, knowing He is our foundation and support.

Psalm 27:1“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” 

Isaiah 41:10“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Philippians 4:13“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

4.   Seek Him earnestly

The fear of God will lead us to seek Him earnestly and align our lives with His divine will

Psalm 25:14“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” 

5.   The Fear of God helps build Our Relationships

·       The fear God influences our relationships with others.

·       When we fear God, we understand the importance of treating each other with kindness and respect.

·       This fear encourages us to practice forgiveness and love, reflecting God’s character in our interactions.

·       We become better friends, family members, and neighbors.

·       Through this lens of reverence, we can foster strong, loving relationships as we model the love of Christ for one another.

Ephesians 5:21“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” 

1 Peter 2:17“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 

Proverbs 3:7“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” 

6.   Leads to Obedience

·       Fearing God naturally leads us to obedience.

·       We are more inclined to follow His teachings and commandments.

·       This obedience is born from our desire to honor Him and align our lives with His will.

·       Recognizing the importance of obedience inspired by the fear of God can help us stay on the right path, avoiding distractions and temptations.

·       This relationship with God transforms our hearts, and His Holy Spirit empowers us to live according to His commands, leading us to greater fulfillment and purpose in our Christian walk.

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” 

Proverbs 8:13“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” 

Living a Life Reflecting the Fear of God

When we embrace the fear of God, our lives become a reflection of His love and grace. We start to exhibit qualities that demonstrate our reverence for Him—qualities like kindness, integrity, and humility. Living a life that honors God attracts others to Him and serves as a testimony of His character. Our actions, shaped by a genuine fear of God, become a lighthouse for those who are lost, showing them the way to His love and salvation. We have the opportunity to impact those around us by allowing the fear of God to guide our decisions and interactions.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

Colossians 3:23-24“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” 

Titus 2:7“In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.” 

Choosing Faith Over Fear

·       The  fear of God transforms our fear of worldly troubles into faith.

·       When faced with fear, we regularly remind ourselves that God is far greater than anything life throws at us.

·       This choice to respond with faith, rooted in the fear of God, opens us up to experience His mighty works in our lives and instills an unshakeable hope in our hearts.

Bottom of Form

Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” –

Psalm 56:3“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Final Thoughts

·       As we reflect on the wisdom of fearing God, we recognize it’s about more than reverence.

·       It’s about transforming our lives through relationships, obedience, and strength in times of need. 

·       Fearing God can lead us to wisdom, safety, and meaningful connections with the people around us.

·       We are invited to let this fear of God inspire us into action, guiding us toward a deeper relationship with Him.

·       Ultimately, the fear of God helps us navigate through life’s challenges, reflecting His love and grace in our everyday actions.

·       Each of us can embody this fear by choosing faith over fear and trusting Him through every season.

·       When we do, we become lights in the world, leading others to experience God’s greatness and love.

·       Let’s strive together to cultivate a healthy fear of God in our hearts, allowing it to shape who we are and how we live.

·       Embracing this fear positions us to receive all the blessings God desires to give us, transforming our lives in amazing ways. May we inspire one another toward that journey as we walk in the reverence of our powerful and loving God.