Embracing the Fear of God: A Path to Closer Relationship

 

Summary

The message today centers on the profound and often misunderstood concept of the fear of God. While last week we celebrated the love of God, today we delve into the fear of God, which is equally good news. The fear of God is not about running away from Him but drawing closer, as it is meant to keep us safe and guide us in righteousness. It is a deep respect and reverence for God, acknowledging His authority and holiness. This fear is not about terror but about honoring God above all else, even our own desires.

The fear of God is evident throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. In Acts, we see how God used the fear of the Lord to preserve the early church's purity and power. The story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of deceit and the importance of integrity before God. Similarly, the transformation of Saul to Paul illustrates how God can use fear to redirect our lives for His purposes.

The fear of God is also linked to worship, as seen in the story of Abraham and Isaac. True worship involves bowing down our desires and plans to God's authority. This reverence is not just an Old Testament concept but is embodied in Jesus, who delighted in the fear of the Lord. The Holy Spirit imparts this fear, which is essential for living a life pleasing to God.

In our daily lives, the fear of God manifests as a guiding force, helping us make choices that honor Him. It is a protective measure, steering us away from sin and towards holiness. The fear of God is rooted in His love, ensuring that we remain connected to Him and experience His blessings in our relationships and lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Fear of God Draws Us Closer: The fear of God is not about running away but drawing nearer to Him. It is a protective measure that keeps us safe and guides us in righteousness, acknowledging that God knows more than we do. This fear is rooted in love and is meant to deepen our relationship with God. [49:31]

2. Fear and Worship are Interconnected: The first mention of the fear of God in the Bible coincides with the first mention of worship. True worship involves submitting our desires to God's authority, demonstrating reverence and obedience. This connection highlights the importance of honoring God above all else. [01:04:13]

3. Biblical Examples of Godly Fear: Stories like Ananias and Sapphira and Saul's transformation to Paul illustrate how God uses fear to preserve purity and redirect lives. These examples show that the fear of God is not about punishment but about guiding us towards His purposes. [57:03]

4. Jesus and the Fear of God: Jesus embodied the fear of God, delighting in reverence and obedience to the Father. The Holy Spirit imparts this fear, which is essential for living a life that pleases God. It is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey, ensuring we remain connected to Him. [01:13:22]

5. Fear as a Guiding Force: The fear of God acts as a guiding force in our lives, helping us make choices that honor Him. It manifests in conviction, steering us away from sin and towards holiness. This fear is rooted in love, ensuring we experience God's blessings in our relationships and lives. [01:26:06]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[45:04] - Introduction to the Fear of God
[46:20] - Fear of God as a Blessing
[49:31] - Drawing Closer to God
[53:07] - Fear of God in the New Testament
[56:16] - Ananias and Sapphira
[58:34] - Saul's Transformation
[01:03:08] - First Mention of Fear and Worship
[01:04:13] - Abraham's Test of Faith
[01:09:39] - Daily Reverence and Worship
[01:13:22] - Jesus and the Fear of God
[01:17:06] - Personal Reflection and Revelation
[01:21:44] - Blessings of Fearing God
[01:26:06] - Fear as a Guiding Force
[01:29:08] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 5:1-11 - The story of Ananias and Sapphira.
2. Acts 9:1-19 - The conversion of Saul to Paul.
3. Genesis 22:1-19 - The story of Abraham and Isaac.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the consequence for Ananias and Sapphira's deceit in Acts 5, and how did it affect the early church? ([56:16])
2. How did Saul's encounter with God on the road to Damascus change his life, according to Acts 9? ([58:34])
3. In Genesis 22, what was Abraham's response to God's command to sacrifice Isaac, and what does this reveal about his fear of God? ([01:05:47])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between fear and worship, particularly in the story of Abraham and Isaac? ([01:04:13])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira illustrate the concept of godly fear as a means of preserving purity within the church? ([57:03])
2. What does Saul's transformation into Paul teach us about the role of fear in redirecting lives for God's purposes? ([01:00:49])
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between fear and worship, and why is this significant for our understanding of reverence towards God? ([01:03:08])
4. In what ways did Jesus embody the fear of God, and how is this relevant to our spiritual journey today? ([01:13:22])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when the fear of God guided you to make a righteous decision. How did it impact your relationship with God? ([49:31])
2. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and obedience in your daily worship practices? What specific changes can you make this week? ([01:04:13])
3. Consider the story of Ananias and Sapphira. How does this story challenge you to live with integrity and honesty in your own life? ([57:03])
4. In what ways can you, like Paul, allow God to use challenging situations to redirect your life towards His purposes? ([01:00:49])
5. How can you delight in the fear of God as Jesus did, and what practical steps can you take to ensure this fear is rooted in love? ([01:13:22])
6. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to submit your desires to God's authority. What steps can you take to bow down your plans to His will? ([01:07:55])
7. How can the fear of God act as a protective measure in your relationships, and what actions can you take to ensure it guides your interactions with others? ([01:21:44])

Devotional

Day 1: Drawing Near Through Reverence
The fear of God is often misunderstood as a feeling of terror, but it is actually a profound respect and reverence for His authority and holiness. This fear is not about running away from God but drawing closer to Him, acknowledging that He knows more than we do. It acts as a protective measure, guiding us in righteousness and keeping us safe. Rooted in love, the fear of God is meant to deepen our relationship with Him, ensuring that we remain connected and experience His blessings. By honoring God above our own desires, we align ourselves with His will and purpose for our lives. [49:31]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" (Psalm 111:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to draw closer to God by acknowledging His authority and wisdom over your own understanding?


Day 2: Worship Through Submission
The connection between fear and worship is evident in the Bible, where the first mention of the fear of God coincides with the first mention of worship. True worship involves submitting our desires and plans to God's authority, demonstrating reverence and obedience. This act of submission is not just an Old Testament concept but is embodied in Jesus, who delighted in the fear of the Lord. By honoring God above all else, we engage in genuine worship that reflects our deep respect for His holiness and sovereignty. This reverence is essential for living a life that pleases God and ensures we remain connected to Him. [01:04:13]

"And Abraham said, 'God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.' So they went both of them together." (Genesis 22:8, ESV)

Reflection: What desires or plans do you need to submit to God's authority today, and how can this act of submission transform your worship experience?


Day 3: Lessons from Biblical Examples
Throughout the Bible, stories like those of Ananias and Sapphira and Saul's transformation to Paul illustrate how God uses the fear of the Lord to preserve purity and redirect lives. These examples show that the fear of God is not about punishment but about guiding us towards His purposes. The story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of deceit and the importance of integrity before God. Similarly, Saul's transformation demonstrates how God can use fear to change our lives for His glory. By embracing the fear of God, we allow Him to guide us in righteousness and align our lives with His will. [57:03]

"And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat." (2 Chronicles 17:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when the fear of God guided you away from a wrong decision. How can you apply this lesson to a current situation in your life?


Day 4: Jesus' Example of Reverence
Jesus embodied the fear of God, delighting in reverence and obedience to the Father. This fear is not about being afraid but about honoring God and submitting to His will. The Holy Spirit imparts this fear, which is essential for living a life that pleases God. By following Jesus' example, we can cultivate a deep respect for God's authority and holiness, ensuring that we remain connected to Him. This reverence is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey, guiding us in righteousness and helping us make choices that honor God. [01:13:22]

"And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear." (Isaiah 11:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you follow Jesus' example of reverence and obedience in your daily life, and what steps can you take to cultivate a deeper respect for God's authority?


Day 5: Fear as a Guiding Force
The fear of God acts as a guiding force in our lives, helping us make choices that honor Him. It manifests in conviction, steering us away from sin and towards holiness. This fear is rooted in love, ensuring we experience God's blessings in our relationships and lives. By embracing the fear of God, we allow it to guide us in righteousness and align our lives with His will. This protective measure keeps us safe and connected to God, ensuring that we remain on the path of holiness and experience His blessings. [01:26:06]

"The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm." (Proverbs 19:23, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need God's guidance. How can the fear of God help you make choices that align with His will and lead you towards holiness?

Quotes


The fear of God was meant to keep us safe. Who knows that God knows more than us? So he created God is full of love. But there's also the fear of God. Raise your hand if you were raised by a parent that you were afraid of the parent, your parent a little bit. [00:49:31]

But I believe what the Bible says is godly fear endures forever. It's in the Old Testament está it's also in the New Testament where we learn how to be a healthy church y God gave us an example book of Acts en el libro de Hechos The book of Acts was the start of the church. [00:54:11]

During that time, the church was moving in great power. for some reason, God, of consequences for our bad actions. was a married couple named Ananias and Sapphira. they sold a piece of property. And it said that they came to the house of the Lord and gave some of the proceeds. [00:55:16]

Some people believe that oh, that was very harsh of God. But remember, some people died before. But I believe it showed the mercy of God. I believe that sometimes God will allow situations to happen Yo as a warning to us. to turn our hearts back to him. [00:58:43]

I believe the two have to work together. you study the Bible, you'll know there's something called the first mention law. that means the first time something is mentioned in the Bible is very important. there's a story of the first time the fear of God is mentioned. [01:02:19]

I want you to bring him to the top of the mountain and sacrifice him. I just had a son. Brand Oh, I can only imagine God asking me to do something hard like that. after God asked him to go to the mountain said immediately he took his son and he said we're going to go and worship [01:04:53]

I believe that God wants to restore that fear the respeto respeto that's the same thing like in Tagalog we live our life cautiously that's why I do believe it's important time with God in the morning it's okay at night it's okay in the afternoon [01:09:06]

well I want you to know that the Holy Spirit part of his attribute is the fear of the Lord quiero you could read the scripture let me find it real quick it said that when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jesus he came and imparted the spirit of the fear of the Lord dice [01:13:39]

I believe God speaks to everything. I believe that God was saying, Shiloh. restoring the fear of the Lord. your life. want to bless your relationship with God. bless the relationship you have with each other. Because the Bible is full of promises for those who fear God. [01:21:44]

Sometimes the fear of the Lord will manifest in conviction. Where it will prevent us from doing the things when we know we're not supposed to do. You know, sometimes the fear of the Lord also is shown by Y prophetic people. I used to be scared to come into Shiloh sometimes. [01:26:06]

I believe this is ways God allows fear to become real it's not to hurt us to help us so my prayer is this that all of us to embrace the fear of God is rooted in the love of God level of respect for him also fear of consequences and work together [01:29:08]

I know that the spirit of the fear of the Lord is here. And what I didn't say, he could say to you. And that the fear of God will arise in your heart. Y Amen. Amen. Amen. Let's pray. Vamos a orar. So Father, I thank you. En tu mayor sabiduría. [01:31:44]

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Transcript
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