Sermons on Psalm 111:10
The various sermons below interpret Psalm 111:10 by emphasizing the fear of the Lord as a foundational element of wisdom, yet they approach this concept with unique nuances. Across the board, the fear of the Lord is not merely about being scared but is seen as a profound respect and obedience to God's commands. This fear is described as the beginning of wisdom, a theme that is consistently highlighted. Some sermons delve into the original Hebrew concept of "fear," equating it with following and obeying God, while others draw parallels to the fear that even demons have, as mentioned in James 2:19, to challenge believers to move beyond superficial belief. The sermons also use various analogies, such as personal relationships and the spreading of yeast, to illustrate the depth and authenticity required in one's faith journey. These interpretations collectively underscore the importance of a heartfelt commitment to God, moving beyond mere lip service to genuine devotion and action.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their emphasis and application of the fear of the Lord. One sermon highlights the fear of God as a positive force leading to wisdom through obedience, while another stresses the need for a deeper, heartfelt faith that acknowledges God's power. Some sermons focus on the authenticity and courage required to live out one's faith, warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and emphasizing the importance of public confession. Meanwhile, another sermon contrasts worldly wisdom with divine wisdom, insisting that true understanding comes only through divine revelation, particularly through Jesus Christ. This sermon uniquely argues that contemporary scientific advancements do not alter the fundamental need for divine wisdom, presenting a distinct perspective on the relevance of the fear of the Lord in modern contexts.
Psalm 111:10 Interpretation:
Embracing the Right Fear: Trusting God in Uncertainty (Codell Community Church) interprets Psalm 111:10 by equating the fear of the Lord with following and obeying God. The sermon suggests that fear should not be seen merely as being scared but as a form of respect and obedience to God's commands. The pastor uses the original Hebrew concept of "fear" to mean "follow," emphasizing that true wisdom begins with obedience to God's precepts. The sermon also uses the analogy of following Jesus not just as a physical act but as a commitment to obey His teachings.
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Faith (Crazy Love) offers a unique perspective by comparing the fear of the Lord to the fear that even demons have, as mentioned in James 2:19. The sermon suggests that the fear of the Lord is not just reverence but a trembling acknowledgment of God's power, which is the beginning of wisdom. This interpretation challenges the congregation to move beyond mere belief to a heartfelt fear and love for God, distinguishing true faith from mere lip service.
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Devotion (Crazy Love) interprets Psalm 111:10 by contrasting the fear of the Lord with the superficial belief that even demons possess. The sermon uses the original Hebrew concept of "fear" as a deep reverence and awe, which is the beginning of wisdom. The speaker uses a personal analogy of a past relationship to illustrate the difference between saying "I love you" and truly living it, paralleling this with how believers might claim to love God but fail to show it through their actions.
Authenticity and Courage in Faith: A Call to Stand (Crazy Love) interprets Psalm 111:10 by emphasizing the fear of the Lord as the foundation of wisdom. The sermon highlights the importance of fearing God over fearing people, using the Greek term "Gehenna" to describe the seriousness of God's judgment. The speaker uses the analogy of yeast spreading through dough to illustrate how hypocrisy can permeate one's life, urging believers to live authentically and fear God above all else.
Divine Wisdom and Fullness in Christ (MLJTrust) interprets Psalm 111:10 by contrasting the wisdom of the world with the wisdom that comes from God. The sermon emphasizes that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, which is a foundational principle that cannot be replaced by human intellect or scientific discovery. The preacher uses the original Hebrew concept of "fear" as reverence and awe, which is the starting point for acquiring divine wisdom. This interpretation is unique in its insistence that worldly wisdom is inadequate and that true understanding comes only through divine revelation, particularly through Jesus Christ.
Psalm 111:10 Theological Themes:
Embracing the Right Fear: Trusting God in Uncertainty (Codell Community Church) presents the theme that fear of the Lord is synonymous with obedience and following God's commands. This sermon introduces the idea that fear can be a positive force that leads to wisdom through obedience, rather than a paralyzing emotion.
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Faith (Crazy Love) introduces the theme that the fear of the Lord should lead to a deeper, heartfelt faith that surpasses mere intellectual assent. The sermon emphasizes that true wisdom begins with a fear that acknowledges God's power and leads to genuine love and commitment.
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Devotion (Crazy Love) presents the theme that true wisdom begins with a genuine fear of the Lord, which surpasses mere intellectual belief. The sermon emphasizes that this fear should lead to a heartfelt devotion and love for God, demonstrated through obedience and action.
Authenticity and Courage in Faith: A Call to Stand (Crazy Love) introduces the theme of fearing God as the ultimate authority, which should guide believers to live courageously and authentically. The sermon adds a new facet by discussing the consequences of hypocrisy and the importance of public confession of faith, linking it to the fear of God.
Divine Wisdom and Fullness in Christ (MLJTrust) presents the theme that the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom is not just an Old Testament concept but is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The sermon argues that all wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ, and any attempt to add to this wisdom with human philosophy or scientific reasoning is futile. This theme is distinct in its application to modern contexts, asserting that contemporary scientific advancements do not alter the fundamental need for divine wisdom.
Psalm 111:10 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Authenticity and Courage in Faith: A Call to Stand (Crazy Love) provides historical context by explaining the term "Gehenna," which was a physical location outside Jerusalem used as a dump and a place of child sacrifice in ancient times. This context is used to illustrate the severity of God's judgment and the importance of fearing Him.
Psalm 111:10 Cross-References in the Bible:
Embracing the Right Fear: Trusting God in Uncertainty (Codell Community Church) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Psalm 111:10. Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10 are used to reinforce the idea that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Genesis 22:12 is cited to illustrate the connection between fear and obedience, as seen in Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac. Deuteronomy 10:12 and Ecclesiastes 12:13 are also mentioned to emphasize the duty of fearing and obeying God.
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Faith (Crazy Love) references James 2:19 to draw a parallel between the fear of the Lord and the fear that demons have. This cross-reference is used to challenge the congregation to move beyond mere belief to a fear that acknowledges God's power and leads to true wisdom.
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Devotion (Crazy Love) references James 2:19 to highlight that even demons believe in God and shudder, emphasizing that true wisdom requires more than belief—it requires fear and love for God. The sermon also references Matthew 10:37 to stress the importance of loving God above all else.
Authenticity and Courage in Faith: A Call to Stand (Crazy Love) references Luke 12:1-3 to discuss hypocrisy and the importance of fearing God over people. The sermon also references Hebrews 10:31 to emphasize the terrifying nature of falling into the hands of the living God.
Divine Wisdom and Fullness in Christ (MLJTrust) references several biblical passages to support the interpretation of Psalm 111:10. The sermon cites 1 Corinthians 1:30, which speaks of Christ being made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, to emphasize that true wisdom is found in Christ. It also references Hebrews 1:1-2, which contrasts the partial revelation of God in the Old Testament with the full revelation in Jesus Christ. Additionally, the sermon mentions Matthew 18:3, where Jesus says that one must become like a little child to enter the kingdom of God, illustrating the need for humility and receptivity to divine wisdom.
Psalm 111:10 Christian References outside the Bible:
Authenticity and Courage in Faith: A Call to Stand (Crazy Love) does not explicitly reference non-biblical Christian authors when discussing Psalm 111:10.
Psalm 111:10 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
From Lip Service to Heartfelt Devotion (Crazy Love) uses a personal story about a past relationship to illustrate the difference between saying "I love you" and truly living it. The speaker shares an anecdote about dating a girl named Debbie and the superficiality of his declaration of love, paralleling it with how believers might claim to love God but fail to show it through their actions.
Authenticity and Courage in Faith: A Call to Stand (Crazy Love) uses the analogy of yeast spreading through dough to illustrate how hypocrisy can permeate one's life. The sermon also shares a story about a man named Stan Gac, who confessed his faith publicly before dying suddenly, to emphasize the importance of living authentically and fearing God above all else.