Choosing the Fear of God Over the Fear of Man
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focused on the importance of church membership and the fear of man versus the fear of God. We began by discussing the role of membership in the church, emphasizing that it helps identify who we are accountable to and who is accountable for us. Membership is a commitment to grow, mature, and invest in the vision of the church. We then transitioned to John 7, where Jesus speaks during the Festival of Booths, highlighting the significance of His words and actions in the context of the festival.
The core of the message was about the fear of man and how it contrasts with the fear of God. The Pharisees feared losing their power, status, and control, which led them to oppose Jesus. In contrast, Jesus demonstrated a life led by the fear of God, showing boldness and unwavering commitment to God's will. We explored how the fear of man manifests in our lives, often leading us to seek approval from others rather than from God. This fear can control us, making us people-pleasers and hindering our spiritual growth.
We discussed practical steps to overcome the fear of man, including recognizing and repenting of it, seeking a deeper knowledge of God, and experiencing a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. The message concluded with a call to action, encouraging everyone to seek the fear of God, which brings true freedom and boldness in our faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Role of Membership in Spiritual Accountability:
Membership in a local church is crucial for spiritual growth and accountability. It helps us identify who we are accountable to and who is accountable for us. This mutual commitment fosters a supportive environment where we can grow and mature in our faith. Membership is not just about attending services but about investing in the vision and values of the church community. [50:54]
2. The Fear of Man vs. The Fear of God:
The fear of man often leads us to seek approval from others, making us people-pleasers. This fear can control our actions and decisions, hindering our spiritual growth. In contrast, the fear of God brings freedom and boldness. Jesus exemplified this by prioritizing God's will over human approval, showing us the way to live a life led by the fear of God. [01:02:45]
3. Recognizing and Repenting of the Fear of Man:
To overcome the fear of man, we must first recognize it in our lives and repent. This involves acknowledging that we have placed people's opinions above God's and seeking His forgiveness. Repentance is the first step towards breaking free from this yoke and aligning our lives with God's will. [01:21:18]
4. Seeking a Deeper Knowledge of God:
A deeper knowledge of God helps us develop a healthy fear of Him. By studying His word, spending time in prayer, and seeking His presence, we can grow in our understanding of His character and power. This knowledge helps us see God as bigger than any situation or person, reducing the fear of man in our lives. [01:22:44]
5. Experiencing a Fresh Filling of the Holy Spirit:
A fresh filling of the Holy Spirit brings boldness and empowers us to live out our faith without fear. The early church experienced this boldness through the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak and act with courage despite persecution. Seeking a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit can transform our lives, giving us the strength to overcome the fear of man. [01:29:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[50:54] - Importance of Church Membership
[51:33] - Commitment in Membership
[53:24] - Introduction to John 7
[54:25] - Festival of Booths
[55:01] - Jesus and His Brothers
[55:48] - Reading John 7:32-36
[56:27] - Jesus' Invitation to the Thirsty
[57:26] - Division Among the People
[58:17] - Prayer and Worship
[01:00:42] - Encountering Jesus
[01:01:26] - Fear of Man vs. Fear of God
[01:02:45] - Jesus' Boldness
[01:03:26] - People-Pleasing Traits
[01:05:39] - Signs of People-Pleasing
[01:11:39] - The Danger of People-Pleasing
[01:16:12] - Trusting in the Lord
[01:18:01] - Power of God to Heal
[01:18:53] - Encounter with Jesus
[01:21:18] - Repentance and Renewal
[01:22:44] - Knowing God More
[01:23:50] - Prayer and Peace
[01:25:48] - Renewing Your Mind
[01:29:05] - Fresh Filling of the Holy Spirit
[01:31:56] - Boldness Through the Spirit
[01:32:31] - Worship and Filling
[01:35:11] - Prayer and Repentance
[01:37:24] - Seeking the Fear of God
[01:38:36] - Worship and Prayer
[01:44:15] - Final Encouragement and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 7:32-36 - "The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him. And the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. Jesus then said, 'I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.' The Jews said to one another, 'Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, "You will seek me and you will not find me," and "Where I am you cannot come?"'"
2. Hebrews 13:17 - "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."
3. Proverbs 29:25 - "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me"? ([55:48])
2. According to Hebrews 13:17, what is the role of church leaders, and how should members respond to their leadership?
3. How does Proverbs 29:25 describe the consequences of fearing man versus trusting in the Lord?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How did the Pharisees' fear of losing their power and status influence their actions towards Jesus? ([01:02:11])
2. What does it mean to have a "fear of God" as opposed to a "fear of man," and how did Jesus exemplify this in His life? ([01:02:45])
3. How can recognizing and repenting of the fear of man lead to spiritual growth and freedom? ([01:21:18])
4. In what ways does seeking a deeper knowledge of God help reduce the fear of man in our lives? ([01:22:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you seek approval from others more than from God? How can you start to change this mindset? ([01:02:11])
2. How can you actively participate in the church community to foster mutual accountability and spiritual growth? ([50:54])
3. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your knowledge of God and develop a healthy fear of Him? ([01:22:44])
4. Have you ever experienced a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit? If not, what steps can you take to seek this experience? ([01:29:05])
5. Think of a situation where you were controlled by the fear of man. How could you have handled it differently by trusting in God's approval instead? ([01:02:45])
6. Identify one person in your life whose opinion you value too highly. What specific action can you take to prioritize God's opinion over theirs this week? ([01:05:39])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to overcome the fear of man and seek the fear of God? What role can you play in supporting them? ([01:14:31])
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Accountability Through Church Membership
Description: Membership in a local church is crucial for spiritual growth and accountability. It helps us identify who we are accountable to and who is accountable for us. This mutual commitment fosters a supportive environment where we can grow and mature in our faith. Membership is not just about attending services but about investing in the vision and values of the church community. By committing to a local church, we are saying that we are willing to be held accountable and to hold others accountable in their walk with Christ. This creates a community where spiritual growth is nurtured and encouraged. [50:54]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively invest in the vision and values of your local church this week? What steps can you take to foster accountability within your church community?
Day 2: Freedom in the Fear of God
Description: The fear of man often leads us to seek approval from others, making us people-pleasers. This fear can control our actions and decisions, hindering our spiritual growth. In contrast, the fear of God brings freedom and boldness. Jesus exemplified this by prioritizing God's will over human approval, showing us the way to live a life led by the fear of God. When we fear God, we are more concerned with His approval than that of others, which liberates us from the bondage of people-pleasing and allows us to live boldly for Him. [01:02:45]
Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking approval from others rather than from God? How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's will over human approval?
Day 3: Recognizing and Repenting of the Fear of Man
Description: To overcome the fear of man, we must first recognize it in our lives and repent. This involves acknowledging that we have placed people's opinions above God's and seeking His forgiveness. Repentance is the first step towards breaking free from this yoke and aligning our lives with God's will. By repenting, we are turning away from the fear of man and turning towards a life that is led by the fear of God. This process of recognition and repentance is crucial for our spiritual growth and freedom. [01:21:18]
Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Reflection: Can you identify a specific instance where you have placed people's opinions above God's? How can you seek God's forgiveness and realign your priorities today?
Day 4: Growing in the Knowledge of God
Description: A deeper knowledge of God helps us develop a healthy fear of Him. By studying His word, spending time in prayer, and seeking His presence, we can grow in our understanding of His character and power. This knowledge helps us see God as bigger than any situation or person, reducing the fear of man in our lives. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we become more confident in His sovereignty and less concerned with the opinions of others. This growth is essential for living a life that is led by the fear of God. [01:22:44]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to deepen your knowledge of God? How can this deeper understanding help you overcome the fear of man?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Description: A fresh filling of the Holy Spirit brings boldness and empowers us to live out our faith without fear. The early church experienced this boldness through the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak and act with courage despite persecution. Seeking a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit can transform our lives, giving us the strength to overcome the fear of man. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live boldly for Christ, regardless of the opinions or opposition of others. [01:29:05]
Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Reflection: How can you seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit today? In what ways can this empower you to live out your faith more boldly?
Quotes
1. "Membership is our word. And the process we use here at Resonate to identify those we are in partnership with. So what happens at membership, we share our hearts. We share our beliefs. We share the vision God's given us for this house, our set of values. And we ask each person who attends, sincerely listen and pray and ask the Holy Spirit, is this the place I'm to plant roots?" [51:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "That's what membership is. You're going to make a commitment. And I know that's a bad word today, but you're going to make a commitment to lock arms with the elders and the pastors and the leadership and make a commitment. I'm going to grow. I'm going to mature. I'm going to partner and invest in the vision here. So I encourage you, come to membership, listen, pray, ask God, is this the place where I'm to plant roots?" [53:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Pharisees feared people more than God. They feared losing power. They feared losing control. They feared losing status. They feared the Roman government. They loved praise. And, you know, when it talks about, you know, no prophet. Come out of Galilee. Well, they were exaggerating there, too. Jonah had come out of there. Elijah, Elisha had all come out of there." [01:02:45] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what I want to get into with the time we've got left to left is this idea of fearing man versus fearing God. Because that's what we're seeing. We're seeing Jesus fearing God. And we're seeing the Pharisees fearing man. And we're seeing it right in front of our eyes. People pleasing. Approval junkie. And Jesus is showing us the way. The deal with situations like this. He loves people, but he's not swayed by them." [01:03:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You know, it's okay if someone doesn't like how you cook. It's okay if someone doesn't like how you lead. It's okay if people don't like how I preach. It's okay. Not everybody's going to like everything you do. So it's okay if somebody says, hey, I'm not crazy about that. Well, you know what you do? You eat the meat and spit out the bones. You know, but we get so worried about it." [01:08:10] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Humility is not, as C.S. Lewis says, humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less. And so the only way to deal with pride is to die to yourself. Now, I say all that to say it's okay to want to have a good reputation and for people to think well of you. That's great. But if it's more important than it is, than God is, it becomes an idol in our life." [01:11:39] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "No man can take away to God's will and plan for your life. No man can thwart God's purpose. Your ability to use your gift. Hey, you know, some people say, well, if that pastor would just... If he would just let me be able to use my gift. I've had people say that. They've left churches. Well, that pastor went, I'm not stopping you. That client doesn't... Your business does not rise and fall on some client's opinion. Trust in the Lord." [01:15:34] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you want to break this off, you can't just wish it away and say, well, I just don't need to fear people. There's an answer. There's an antidote. It's the fear of God. It's the fear of God. And let me just say this to balance what I've already said. That first, I'm not saying we should be just flippant and say, I don't care or give a rip what people think about me. If you did that, you probably wouldn't have a job. You probably wouldn't have a very good marriage." [01:16:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The reality is we know people better than we know God. We have studied people more than we've studied God. We have talked. We've talked to people more than we've talked to God. Therefore, we have more of people than we have an all of God. Is it possible that the view of our view of God is small because our knowledge of God is small?" [01:22:44] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The fear of God is directly related to an encounter with God. Let me tell you that. Boldness is connected to encounters with the spirit. The spirit of God. Always. And I'll show you in scripture. God has not given us a spirit of what? Fear. But of power, love, and a sound mind. So he's not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit, the Holy Spirit, of power, love, and a sound mind." [01:29:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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