2023.10.22.Sermon Notes. The Fear of the LORD is… (Vital to every believer)
William Akehurst, HSWC
SCRIPTURES: Psalms 19:9, 1 John 4:16, Proverbs 1:7, Job 28:23-28, Proverbs 3:5-7, 2 Samuel 12:13, Psalms 25:14, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 36:1, Psalms 103:17-18, Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 14:26, Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 16:6, Isaiah 33:5-6, Deuteronomy 31:12-13, Psalms 143:8-12
BIG IDEA: Do we really understand what The Fear of the LORD truly means? JESUS was a “friend of sinners”, and HE told us to call upon the Almighty as Abba, FATHER. So what is The Fear of The LORD?
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
What is The Fear of THE LORD?
I’ve said many times, that I don’t think we really understand the meaning of “the Fear of THE LORD”, especially in our culture.
Many people say that GOD doesn’t really want us to fear HIM, but that HE only wants us to revere or have reverence for HIM. And while we do need to respect and love HIM, there is something more to it than that.
“We need to understand and realize that one day, we are going to be face to face with the”
all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, all hearing, ever present, and “eternal self-existing…GOD – who has no beginning, and no end. It is not just that HE created reality; HE IS reality.” ~Rabbi Schneider (~RS)
HE IS ‘I AM’
And one day, “we will actually stand before the ONE with no boundaries, no limits, no constraints.
And when we do, we will without a doubt know exactly what it means to have the “Fear of THE LORD”. So let’s not wait until then to humble ourselves.” ~RS
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
“…GOD balances the need for us to fear HIM by generously imparting the revelation that HE is compassionate and by nature, a GOD full of Love and Lovingkindness.
When we fear HIM and put ourselves in proper alignment with HIM, FATHER comes to us and immeasurably pours out HIS grace, mercy and love upon us.” ~RS
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
“We are called upon to fear the LORD.
Understanding this…”the fear of the LORD” is the catalyst that releases the depths of GOD’s love that HE wants to impart into our lives.
There are different elements that are all part of the same relationship with HIM.
Fearing GOD and receiving HIS entire blessings are connected and interdependent.
We need to have both aspects working continually in our lives to experience FATHER at HIS Fullness.” ~RS
“Let us not forsake the fear of the LORD.
It truly is the beginning of wisdom and our relationship with GOD.
Yes, we are brought into the love of GOD, but we need to be convicted of our sin.” ~RS
When Nathan rebukes David for his sin with Bathsheba, David’s response is that he had sinned against GOD.
2 Samuel 12:13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
“We need to understand that without GOD’s love and forgiveness, we are destined to an eternity apart from HIM. There is a healthy and beautiful balance to our relationship with FATHER. It is like a fine diamond in which there are many different facets.” ~RS
Let’s look further at what it is to have the “Fear of the LORD”
Job 28:23-28 (KJV)
23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
GOD told mankind. Behold…Look, Listen, Take Heed…The Fear of the LORD is wisdom, and departing from evil is understanding.
We see the same in…Proverbs 3:5-7. We are very familiar with vs 5-6, but if we read one more verse, it gives us a better understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-7
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
One of the ways to understand what it means to fear the LORD is to act upon it and depart from evil.
Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
That’s the secret. The FEAR of the LORD unfolds the secret. This is what brings on holiness, purity, a desire to get right with GOD.
And with that ‘fear of the LORD”, there is none other to fear because that “Fear of the LORD” provides us with strength to say..to whom shall I be afraid.
Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
GOD watches over those who fear HIM and hope in HIS Mercy.
Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
The error of the wicked is to have no fear of GOD
Psalms 36:1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
GOD’s Mercy is forever to those who fear HIM, and his righteousness to generation after generation who keep HIS covenant and do HIS commandments
Psalms 103:17-18 (KJV)
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
…beginning of wisdom and understanding is to do and obey HIS commandments
Psalms 111:10 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.
…Produces Righteousness. To hate evil.
Proverbs 8:13 (KJV)
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
…Provides us with a strong confidence.
Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
…a fountain of life
Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
…contentment
Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
…our instructions for wisdom
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
…causes us to depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
…is something to be treasured.
Isaiah 33:5-6
5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
…teach others to learn the Fear of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13 (KJV)
12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: 13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
CLOSING PRAYER (UNISON)
Psalms 143:8-12 (NASB)
8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You.
10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am Your servant.
…In JESUS’ Name, Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
