Chasing God: Our Duty to Fear and Obey
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! It's a wonderful day to worship and celebrate the goodness of God. I want to welcome everyone here, both in person and online. If you're new, please let us know by texting CONNECT to 832-905-9046 or visiting our website. Your sacrificial giving enables us to do God's work, and we appreciate your cheerful contributions.
Today, we conclude our series on "Chasing What Matters" from the book of Ecclesiastes. We've explored various paths people take in search of meaning—pleasure, work, and earthly wisdom—all of which ultimately lead to emptiness. The right path, however, is not found in things under the sun but in chasing God. Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 sums it up: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Fearing God means revering Him, recognizing His authority, and taking Him seriously. This reverence shapes our obedience. Without a proper fear of God, we lack the motivation to obey His commandments. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 10:28, urging us to fear the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell. This fear is not about being terrified but about honoring God's holiness and authority.
Obedience to God is about living life His way, not ours. It's about submitting to His will in every aspect of our lives—whether as a spouse, parent, or friend. This submission is our purpose and job description on this planet. We are here to honor God and submit to His will. Anything outside of that is off-task.
Moreover, we will be evaluated based on how well we fulfill this duty. Ecclesiastes 12:14 reminds us that God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing. This future evaluation is not meant to scare us but to encourage us to make necessary changes now. God has provided us with His Word and the example of Jesus to guide us.
In conclusion, our whole duty is to fear God and keep His commandments. This is not about religion or church attendance but about a genuine commitment to live life God's way. Let's do a self-evaluation and make the necessary changes to honor God in every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fear of God and Obedience: Fearing God means revering Him and recognizing His authority. This reverence shapes our obedience. Without a proper fear of God, we lack the motivation to obey His commandments. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 10:28, urging us to fear the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell. This fear is not about being terrified but about honoring God's holiness and authority. [49:05]
2. Purpose and Job Description: Our purpose on this planet is to honor God and submit to His will. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 sums it up: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Anything outside of that is off-task. This submission is our job description, and we will be evaluated based on how well we fulfill this duty. [59:08]
3. Future Evaluation: Ecclesiastes 12:14 reminds us that God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing. This future evaluation is not meant to scare us but to encourage us to make necessary changes now. God has provided us with His Word and the example of Jesus to guide us. [01:06:23]
4. Living Life God's Way: Obedience to God is about living life His way, not ours. It's about submitting to His will in every aspect of our lives—whether as a spouse, parent, or friend. This submission is our purpose and job description on this planet. We are here to honor God and submit to His will. [01:01:30]
5. Self-Evaluation and Change: Let's do a self-evaluation and make the necessary changes to honor God in every area of our lives. This is not about religion or church attendance but about a genuine commitment to live life God's way. God has provided us with His Word and the example of Jesus to guide us. [01:08:31]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:19] - Online Platform Invitation
[34:06] - CONNECT Information
[34:40] - Sacrificial Giving
[35:16] - Thanking Elders
[36:06] - Prayer for Grieving Families
[38:04] - New Family Members
[39:55] - Kids' Service Day
[40:43] - Series Conclusion
[41:35] - Prayer for Teaching
[42:37] - Driving the Wrong Way
[43:53] - Chasing God
[44:51] - Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
[45:55] - Fear God and Keep His Commandments
[47:24] - Understanding Fear
[49:05] - Jesus on Fear
[50:14] - Obedience and Fear
[51:46] - Right Theology
[53:31] - Fear in the New Testament
[56:52] - Submission in the New Covenant
[59:08] - Purpose and Job Description
[01:06:23] - Future Evaluation
[01:08:31] - Self-Evaluation and Change
[01:14:18] - Real Commitment
[01:17:19] - Upcoming Series: Connect
[01:21:53] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ecclesiastes 12:9-14: "Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
2. Matthew 10:28: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Ecclesiastes 12:13, what is described as the "whole duty of man"?
2. What does Jesus emphasize about fear in Matthew 10:28, and how does it relate to fearing God? [49:05]
3. In the sermon, what are some examples given of paths people take in search of meaning that ultimately lead to emptiness? [43:53]
4. How does the preacher in Ecclesiastes describe the words of the wise? [45:55]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "fear God" according to the sermon, and how does this fear shape our obedience? [50:14]
2. How does the concept of future evaluation in Ecclesiastes 12:14 encourage believers to make changes in their lives now? [01:06:23]
3. Why is it important to live life God's way in every aspect, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:01:30]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between fearing God and keeping His commandments? [51:46]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what areas do you struggle to fear God and keep His commandments? How can you start making changes in those areas this week? [01:08:31]
2. Think about your role as a spouse, parent, or friend. How can you better submit to God's will in these relationships? What specific actions can you take to honor God in these roles? [01:01:30]
3. The sermon mentions that we will be evaluated based on how well we fulfill our duty to fear God and keep His commandments. How does this future evaluation impact your daily decisions and actions? [01:06:23]
4. Identify one area of your life where you have been living your way instead of God's way. What steps can you take to align this area with God's will? [01:03:38]
5. The sermon encourages self-evaluation and making necessary changes. What practical steps can you take this week to evaluate your life and make changes to better honor God? [01:08:31]
6. How can you cultivate a genuine commitment to live life God's way, beyond just attending church or participating in religious activities? [01:14:18]
7. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you consider God's will in that decision? How can you ensure that future decisions are made with a focus on honoring God? [01:10:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Reverence Shapes Obedience
Fearing God means revering Him and recognizing His authority. This reverence shapes our obedience. Without a proper fear of God, we lack the motivation to obey His commandments. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 10:28, urging us to fear the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell. This fear is not about being terrified but about honoring God's holiness and authority. [49:05]
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV): "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you struggle to obey God's commandments. How can a deeper reverence for God's authority help you to be more obedient in this area?
Day 2: Our Purpose and Job Description
Our purpose on this planet is to honor God and submit to His will. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 sums it up: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Anything outside of that is off-task. This submission is our job description, and we will be evaluated based on how well we fulfill this duty. [59:08]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Reflect on your daily activities and responsibilities. Are there areas where you are "off-task" from honoring God and submitting to His will? What changes can you make to align more closely with your divine job description?
Day 3: Future Evaluation
Ecclesiastes 12:14 reminds us that God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing. This future evaluation is not meant to scare us but to encourage us to make necessary changes now. God has provided us with His Word and the example of Jesus to guide us. [01:06:23]
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
Reflection: Consider a "secret thing" in your life that you would not want to be brought into judgment. What steps can you take today to address this and align it with God's will?
Day 4: Living Life God's Way
Obedience to God is about living life His way, not ours. It's about submitting to His will in every aspect of our lives—whether as a spouse, parent, or friend. This submission is our purpose and job description on this planet. We are here to honor God and submit to His will. [01:01:30]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: Identify one specific relationship (spouse, parent, friend) where you struggle to live life God's way. What practical steps can you take to submit to God's will in this relationship?
Day 5: Self-Evaluation and Change
Let's do a self-evaluation and make the necessary changes to honor God in every area of our lives. This is not about religion or church attendance but about a genuine commitment to live life God's way. God has provided us with His Word and the example of Jesus to guide us. [01:08:31]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Conduct a self-evaluation of your spiritual life. What is one specific area where you need to make a change to honor God more fully? What steps will you take today to begin this change?
Quotes
1. "We always tell you to focus more on your attitude than the amount. Why? Because God loves a certain type of giver. What type of giver does he love? He loves a cheerful giver. And so if you can't be happy about investing in the kingdom work of God, we tell you to hold on to it until you can." [35:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Fear God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. I love how it's summed up, right? It's kind of wrapped up. It talks about the preacher, who scholars understand as this great king that had access to unlimited resources. Being Solomon. Solomon, person blessed with divine wisdom." [45:55] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you don't fear God, you won't really be motivated to obey. See, that's the thing. We don't think about. You know, all of us have issues with obedience. Right? There are things that we know we should do that we don't do. But I want you to understand your obedience problem is really a fear problem. That we don't properly fear God. Because when you fear God, it shapes what you do. Your worship changes. How you spend your time changes. How you treat people changes." [50:57] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so the whole duty of us is to fear God and to keep his commandments. Keep means to obey. It is about submission. And again, this is not an Old Testament concept. A lot of times we think, okay, well, you know, we're not under the law, right? And so we're not under the law. We're not under the law for righteousness. We're not under the old covenant or testament. We're in the new covenant of grace. It's absolutely true." [56:52] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so anything you do outside of that is off task, right? I want you to think about if you're an employer, you're hiring somebody to do something. I don't know. Maybe it's manufacturing. You got a manufacturing plant and you hire somebody to be on the assembly line, right? And so parts are coming and they're supposed to put things together and those parts go to somebody else, right? And ultimately, this package is sent to a customer, right? That's the whole thing. That's the function of the business." [01:00:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And so, even though in my flesh, even though in this moment, I am annoyed, I am angry, even if I am hurt, in this moment, I wish to not talk to this person, I wish to separate myself from this person, but you say, love as I have been loved. You say that, and I'm not feeling it, I'm going to submit to that. I'm going to trust you, and I'm going to honor you. And so, that, in all of the difficult places of life, is the thing that we start to put and to make our mantra, I'm going to honor you, and I'm going to trust you in living life your way." [01:05:07] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so now is the time you can make some adjustments, right? You can examine your life and say, wait a minute, how well am I doing at honoring God? What areas of my life am I not submitting to? you can identify some of those things and make a change, right? You may say, well, listen, I don't know all of God's commands, and I don't know all of them either, but I thank God that He summed them up, y'all know that? He summed up all His commands. You know what He did?" [01:09:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so it's not just even about how did they live. How did they live when they understood? How did they live? You know, it's rough to be held accountable for something you didn't fully understand. But man, when you do understand, there's no excuse. And so today, today, today, I want you to make up your mind. I want to honor God. And I want to live life His way. I want you to find the places as a husband, as a wife, where am I not honoring? Where am I not living life His way?" [01:11:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so, y'all, I want you to be real. This is not about religion, okay? It's not about church attendance. It's not about church program. I want you to be real, and I want you to make changes in every corner of your life, just one at a time. Don't worry about trying to get it all together. Just get something together to honor Him and to live life His way. You know, it's not a mistake that Solomon wrote that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fools despise wisdom, and so I want you to recognize the places that are wrong and make a change." [01:14:18] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so I have a decision that I could make. I could say, you know what? I'm in this bad thing, but I've been in it so long, or I'm already committed. I might as well just ride it out. Or I could pay that disconnect fee and get me a better contract. Y'all know what I did? I'm paying that disconnect fee. Okay? And getting me a better contract. Why? Man, isn't that going to be expensive to pay for that? Absolutely. But I'm going to do better in the long haul in saving with a new commitment, a new relationship with a new provider." [01:15:49] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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