Ch. 14 The Blessings of Holy Fear: Holy Fear gives God the Place of Glory, Honor, Reverence, Thanksgiving, Praise, Preeminence He deserves.
Eccles. 12:13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
At first you might be inclined to lightly pass over this passage as being too general. If you carefully review the context and the life of the writer, Solomon, its profoundness will become obvious. Solomon was the wealthiest man in the world and so could afford, financially to indulge himself. Solomon humored himself at the expense of enjoying a life of fellowship with God. Ignoring God's warnings, he tested truth. The conclusion he reached was in the above verse. Solomon's words are as applicable to us at the change of this millennium as they were to all the generations of the past three thousand years.________ ______ and keep _______ _____________
Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always.
(1) What does it mean to you to live in the fear of the Lord? _______________
_______________________________________________________________
. Our author, limited by human vocabulary, defines it as an inner transformation of the heart, whereby "we grow in the revealed knowledge of God throughout eternity, Proportionately the revelation of His love and our holy fear of Him will expand." (u)
So often our motivation is not the fear of the Lord but rather, it is the fear of man.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
(1) If a person is trapped by the "fear of man" he will go to great lengths to protect or hide his true nature as perceived by those observers. He becomes a Christian pretender. Rather than ________ God and concern himself with reflecting God's image, his snare becomes self projecton..
A person can learn scripture, talk like a Christian, sing and praise, and lift their hands to Jesus, just like a Christian. What they can't do is found in Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
(1) Without a heart dedicated to entering the holy presences of God, they cannot offer themselves as ___________ and _________ ___________ acceptable to God.
(2) How does Scripture define worship? ________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(3) Can you and I tell the difference? ______. On the outward appearance the look and talk just like real Christians. The real difference is that they do not "fear God and tremble at His word."
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
(1) Is it possible to believe in God and not "worship" Him? _________________.
(2) Have you ever observed professed Christians who appear to have less awe of God then the demons mentioned above do? _________
Most probably, you will find at the heart of the issue a "man fearing spirit."
Jude 1:12 These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;
(1) How does Jude define these men "without fear?" _____________________
________________________________________________________________
These men professed to know Jesus, but the really important question here is "Does Jesus know you?" Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. [22] "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' [23] "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
(1) These men profess to know Jesus but does Jesus know them? ___________
(2) They say all of the right things and appear to be godly, but in reality they " _______________ ____________.
A person who fears God concerns himself with doing the will of ___________. Let me repeat the earlier quoted statement from Mr Bevere: When we properly fear God and tremble at His word we will "willingly obey God even when it appears more advantageous to compromise or not obey His word.
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of His flesh, He [Jesus] offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety [piety in this sense is interchangeable with fear, to hold in awe]
(1) We are to be imitators of our Lord. God heard His prayers because of
His __________.
Psalm 31:19 How great is Thy goodness, Which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, Before the sons of men!
(1) The goodness of God is reserved for those who ________________ Him and who take ____________ in Him.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
(1) When we fear God, God places His _____________ with us to ________ us
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
(1) God is watching out for those who ____________ Him
Psalm 34:9 O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him, there is no want.
(1) For those who fear Him there is no _____________.
Psalm 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
(1) God's great lovingkindness is _______________ toward those who _____ Him
Psalm 111:5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.
(1) In the past God has provided sustainment for those who _______ Him. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Psalm 115:11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
(1) When I fear God, He ____________ and __________ me.
Psalm 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.
(1) God is not a Genie in a bottle, but His love is so incomprehensible that He desires to ____________ the desires of those who ____________ Him.
Proverbs 9:10-11 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. [11] For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
(1) When I fear the Lord, He begins to renew my mind and impart ___________. The ________________ of the Holy One is __________________. My __________ will be multiplied and _________ will be added to my life.
Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. [27] The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
(1) Because I fear the Lord, God will keep His promises to me I ___________ Him.
Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
(1) When I ________ the Lord, my eye is on my heavenly reward rather than on ________ treasures.
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
(1) When I fear the Lord, I can put my complete trust in Him and __________ without a worry in the "world."
Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.
(1) When we fear the Lord, our eyes are on heavenly things and God will reward us with ____________, ____________, and eternal ___________.
Jeremiah 32:40 "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.
(1) Who is it that allows us to understand in our hearts the awesomeness of God? ___
Psalm 25:12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
(1) For those who fear the Lord, God will help him _________ the right path.
Psalm 128:1-4 A Song of Ascents. How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. [2] When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. [3] Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, within your house, Your children like olive plants around your table. [4] Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
(1) God makes three distinct promises here for those who fear Him and walk in His ways. They are:
A. ____________________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________
Exodus 18:21 "Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.
(1) What qualities of character do men who fear God possess? They are men of __________ and hate ________________ gain.
2 Samuel 23:3-4a "The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, 'He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds,
(1) A man who rules over others _____________, Who rules in the ______ of God is pleasing to the Lord.
Epilogue:
Acts 13:26 "Brethren, sons of Abraham's family, and those among you who fear God, to us the word of this salvation is sent out.
(1) Salvation has been revealed only to the Jew (Sons of Abraham's family) and the Gentile who _____________ God. "Without this holy fear we cannot recognize our need for salvation."
Mr. Bevere concludes with a heart felt request that each of us come before the Father in prayer, asking with humble and contrite hearts that God accept our confession of pride, and disrespect toward Him. That we dedicate ourselves to Him completely and that God would fill us with His love and holy fear, reveal His true image and character that we might be changed. Jude 1:24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, [25] to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Notes from the compiler :
These passages will help us learn how to live a life in the "fear of the Lord."
Col. 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
(1) We are to ________ in Him. Being ______ up in Him, _____________ in our faith, and be _______________ with Gratitude.
Deut. 5:29 'Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!
(1) When we fear God we will _________ all of His _________________.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
(1) How do we cleanse ourselves? __________________________________-
Ephes. 5:26 to make her [the church] holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Do you sometimes find ourselves doubting God, because of the bad behavior of people who are supposed to be Christians?
A person can learn scripture, talk like a Christian, sing and praise, and lift their hands to Jesus, just like a Christian. What they can't do is found in Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
(1) Without a heart dedicated to entering the holy presences of God, they cannot offer themselves as ___________ and _________ ___________ acceptable to God.
(2) How does Scripture define worship? ________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(3) Like the "wheat and tares," Can you and I tell the difference? ______. On the outward appearance the look and talk just like real Christians. The real difference is that they do not "fear God and tremble at His word."
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
(1) Is it possible to believe in God and not "worship" Him?____________.
(2) Have you ever observed professed Christians who appear to have less awe of God then the demons mentioned above do? _________
Jude 1:12 These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;
(1) How does Jude define these men "without fear?" _____________________
________________________________________________________________
These men professed to know Jesus, but of most importance here is that Jesus knows them. Let's ask the question of ourselves, "does Jesus know us?" Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. [22] "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' [23] "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
(1) These men profess to know Jesus but does Jesus know them? ___________
(2) They say all of the right things and appear to be godly, but in reality they " _______________ ____________.
(3) Why do you think that God tolerates pretenders among his people?_____________________________________________________________
How do we demonstrate a proper fear of the Lord: Let me repeat the earlier quoted statement from Mr John Bevere: When we properly fear God and tremble at His word we will "willingly obey God even when it appears more advantageous to compromise or not obey His word.
Return to the Fear of God index Return to the Main index Back to chapter 13
a The fear of the Lord pg xv
b. Ch.1 pg 8
c. Ch 2 pg 13
d. Ch 2 pg 14-15
e. Ch 2 pg 16
f. Ch 4 pg 34
g. Ch 4 pg 35
h. Ch 4 pg 37
I Ch 5 pg 49
j Ch 6 pg 63
k Ch 6 pg 65
L Ch 7 pg 75
m Ch 7 pg 80
n Ch 8 pg 84
o Ch 8 pg 88
p Ch 9 pg 102
q Ch 10 pg 118
r Ch 10 pg 124
s Ch 11 pg 141
t Ch 12 pg 152
u Ch. 14 pg 187