A. How we “Fear” God will determine where we spent eternity
A. DREAD, TERROR [phobos]
1. Serve God without “terror” (Luke 1: 68-75) (Romans 8:15) “For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry abba, Father. The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
2. Terror has no place in Love (1 John 4:18) “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 5:1-3) “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
a. The word “Believe” here is a ‘synecdoche’ (a part used for the whole)
3. Fear caused many NOT to stand with Christ (John 7:1-13)
a. Are WE “terrified” of opening our mouths and defending Jesus?
B. COWARDLY, TIMID, FAITHLESS [deilia]
1. God did NOT give a spirit of timidity (2 Timothy 1:6-8) “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”
2. The timid, or faithless, or cowardly, have a destination (Revelation 21:8) “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.”
C. AWE, REVERENCE, RESPECT [yirah – O.T.]
1. We are told to reverence God (Psalms 111:9-10) “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Matthew 10:28-31) “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (1 Peter 2:17) “Honor all men, love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
2. Our evangelism is to be in reverence (1 Peter 3:15-16) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
3. God’s mercy is on those that “fear” Him (Psalms 103:17-18) “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”
A. Solomon summed it up best (Ecclesiastes 12:13) “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole (duty) of man.”
B. A preacher once said…. ---“I obeyed God for the same reason I obeyed my parents”
1. Obeyed parents when young for “fear” (of action of parents)
2. Obeyed parents when grown for “fear” (of hurting them)
C. May we live in such a manner that we… DO NOT live in TIMIDITY or TERROR before God DO live in AWE and RESPECT for His love and power and OBEY His will