Humility and the Fear of God: Foundations for Life

Devotional

Day 1: Humility and Fear of the Lord as Spiritual Foundations

Humility and the fear of the Lord are essential qualities for spiritual growth and a godly life. These virtues are deeply intertwined, with humility naturally leading to a reverent fear of God, and this fear fostering deeper humility. Together, they form the foundation for spiritual riches, honor, and life. In the New Covenant, these qualities transcend the pursuit of earthly wealth, guiding believers toward spiritual maturity and a closer relationship with God. The early apostles, like Peter and John, understood the importance of the fear of God before they encountered the grace of Jesus, which enabled them to live godly lives. Today, many Christians hear about grace from the start, often neglecting the fear of the Lord, which can lead to a lack of conviction about sin. [01:40]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate humility and a deeper fear of the Lord? How can you begin to practice these virtues today?

Day 2: The Foundation of Fear Before Grace

The early apostles laid a foundation of understanding the fear of God before they encountered the grace of Jesus. This sequence allowed them to live godly lives, fully aware of the gravity of sin and the need for holiness. In contrast, many Christians today are introduced to grace without a prior understanding of the fear of the Lord, which can lead to a lack of conviction about sin and a superficial grasp of grace. The fear of God is not about being afraid but about having a profound respect and reverence for His holiness and authority. It is this fear that makes us sensitive to sin and urges us to cleanse ourselves from all defilement, striving for holiness in our lives. [03:29]

"Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him." (2 Peter 3:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the fear of the Lord in your life? What steps can you take to ensure that this fear leads you to a more profound experience of God's grace?

Day 3: The Real Enemy: Our Flesh

Our true enemy is not the devil, who was defeated at the cross, but our own flesh, which tempts us to sin. The fear of God makes us sensitive to sin, urging us to cleanse ourselves from all defilement and perfect holiness. This process is akin to the Israelites occupying Canaan, where they had to drive out the inhabitants to fully possess the land. Similarly, we must actively work to overcome the sinful tendencies of our flesh, relying on the fear of God to guide us in this pursuit. By doing so, we expand the presence of Christ within us and grow in spiritual maturity. [09:34]

"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What specific areas of your life are most susceptible to the temptations of the flesh? How can you actively combat these tendencies with the fear of God and the power of the Holy Spirit?

Day 4: Righteous Anger and Forgiveness

Anger is a significant area where we must exercise the fear of God. Jesus exemplified righteous anger, being angry only when God's glory was at stake, not when personally attacked. We must follow His example, being quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Familiarity, especially in close relationships, can breed contempt, but the fear of God can eliminate this, reminding us to treat each other with reverence. By directing our anger only at things that dishonor God and not personal offenses, we align ourselves with His will and demonstrate true humility and reverence. [15:51]

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from today? How can you ensure that your anger is directed only at things that dishonor God and not personal offenses?

Day 5: Grace as Empowerment for Righteous Living

Grace is not just forgiveness but the power to live righteously. Humility is the key to receiving this grace, as God gives grace to the humble. Our past failures remind us of our need for God's grace and the importance of living in reverence and humility. Recognizing our inability to live the Christian life on our own leads us to seek God's grace, which empowers us to overcome sin. By practicing God's presence and being filled with the Holy Spirit daily, we are equipped to live lives that honor Him and reflect His character to the world. [32:11]

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek God's grace in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure that you are living in humility and reverence, fully relying on His power to live righteously?

Sermon Summary

Proverbs 22:4 speaks of two essential qualities for a godly life: humility and the fear of the Lord. These virtues are foundational for spiritual wealth, honor, and life. In the Old Testament, the focus was often on earthly riches, but in the New Covenant, these qualities lead to spiritual riches. The early apostles, like Peter and John, spent years understanding the fear of God before they encountered the grace of God through Jesus. This foundation allowed them to live godly lives. Today, many Christians hear about grace from the start, often neglecting the fear of the Lord, which leads to a lack of conviction about sin.

The fear of God and humility are intertwined, like twins. A truly humble person will fear God, and one who fears God will be humble. This fear makes us sensitive to sin, urging us to cleanse ourselves from all defilement and perfect holiness. The New Testament calls us to perfect holiness in the fear of God, expanding the presence of Christ within us, much like the Israelites occupying Canaan. Our true enemy is not the devil, who was defeated at the cross, but our own flesh, which tempts us to sin.

Anger is a significant area where we must exercise the fear of God. Jesus exemplified righteous anger, being angry only when God's glory was at stake, not when personally attacked. We must follow His example, being quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Familiarity, especially in close relationships, can breed contempt, but the fear of God can eliminate this, reminding us to treat each other with reverence.

The practice of God's presence and being filled with the Holy Spirit daily is crucial. Recognizing our inability to live the Christian life on our own leads us to seek God's grace, which empowers us to overcome sin. Grace is not just forgiveness but the power to live righteously. Humility is the key to receiving this grace, as God gives grace to the humble. Our past failures remind us of our need for God's grace and the importance of living in reverence and humility.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility and the fear of the Lord are foundational for spiritual growth. They are intertwined, and one cannot exist without the other. A humble person will naturally fear God, and this fear will lead to a deeper humility. These qualities lead to spiritual riches and a godly life. [01:40]
2. The early apostles understood the fear of God before they encountered grace. This foundation allowed them to live godly lives. Today, many Christians hear about grace from the start, often neglecting the fear of the Lord, which leads to a lack of conviction about sin. [03:29]
3. Our true enemy is not the devil, who was defeated at the cross, but our own flesh, which tempts us to sin. The fear of God makes us sensitive to sin, urging us to cleanse ourselves from all defilement and perfect holiness. [09:34]
4. Anger should be directed only at things that dishonor God, not personal offenses. Jesus exemplified righteous anger, being angry only when God's glory was at stake. We must follow His example, being quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. [15:51]
5. Grace is not just forgiveness but the power to live righteously. Humility is the key to receiving this grace, as God gives grace to the humble. Our past failures remind us of our need for God's grace and the importance of living in reverence and humility. [32:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Proverbs and the New Covenant
[01:03] - Humility and the Fear of the Lord
[02:11] - Apostles' Journey to Grace
[03:29] - The Missing Fear of the Lord
[04:20] - Promises of God
[06:20] - Cleansing and Perfecting Holiness
[08:31] - The Real Enemy: The Flesh
[10:18] - Perfecting Holiness in Fear
[12:00] - Quick to Forgive and Ask Forgiveness
[14:19] - Righteous Anger
[16:49] - The Spirit of the Antichrist
[19:03] - Forgiveness and Sonship
[21:17] - Practicing God's Presence
[23:11] - The Purpose of the Law
[25:23] - Offering God Our Best
[27:05] - A New Covenant Offering
[29:15] - Grace as God's Power
[31:12] - Seeking Grace and Humility
[33:33] - Remembering Our Past
[35:16] - The Lost Sheep and God's Pursuit
[37:44] - A Church Without Need for Repentance

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Proverbs 22:4
2 Corinthians 7:1
Ephesians 4:26

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Observation Questions:

What are the two essential qualities mentioned in Proverbs 22:4 that are foundational for a godly life? How are these qualities described in the sermon? [01:40]
According to 2 Corinthians 7:1, what should believers do in response to God's promises? How does this relate to the concept of perfecting holiness in the fear of God? [06:20]
In Ephesians 4:26, what is the instruction given about anger? How does the sermon illustrate the difference between righteous and sinful anger? [14:19]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between humility and the fear of the Lord? Why are these qualities considered intertwined? [04:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon suggest that the early apostles' understanding of the fear of God before encountering grace contributed to their godly lives? What implications does this have for modern Christians? [03:29]
The sermon mentions that our true enemy is not the devil but our own flesh. How does this perspective change the way believers should approach their spiritual battles? [09:34]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of grace in the Christian life? How is grace described beyond just forgiveness? [32:11]
How does the sermon explain the concept of righteous anger using Jesus as an example? What criteria are given for when anger is justified? [15:51]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: How do you currently practice humility and the fear of the Lord? What steps can you take to deepen these qualities in your daily walk with God? [01:40]
Consider a recent situation where you felt anger. Was it directed at a personal offense or something that dishonored God? How can you align your response to anger with the example of Jesus? [15:51]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Think of a relationship where you need to apply this principle. What specific action can you take this week to practice this? [12:00]
How can you cultivate a daily awareness of God's presence and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What practical steps can you take to make this a consistent part of your life? [21:49]
Reflect on a past failure that reminds you of your need for God's grace. How can this memory motivate you to live in greater reverence and humility today? [33:33]
Identify an area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can you rely on God's grace as a source of power to overcome this weakness? What specific prayer or action can you implement to seek this grace? [29:15]
In what ways can you show reverence for God in your daily activities, especially in how you treat those closest to you? How can you ensure that familiarity does not breed contempt in your relationships? [21:17]

Sermon Clips

there are two characteristics mentioned here which are very very important which we have often stressed in the church which are important for all of us if we are to live a Godly life and all failure to live as God wants us to live is because we don't pursue these two qualities humility and the fear of the Lord [00:01:10]

the problem with us is from the beginning we hear about the grace of God from the very first time we hear go to church even before we are converted how God forgives and he's gracious and because of that most Christians never develop the fear of the Lord and that is the main reason why they can sin and not be convicted about it [00:03:08]

a man who is truly humble before God will fear Him a man and a man who fears God will be truly humble they go together I believe they're like twins now in the New Testament let me show you how that phrase the fear of God comes in second Corinthians and chapter 7 [00:03:56]

the flesh is overcome flesh means all the potential for sin that there is within us which tempts us many of us think of the devil as our enemy well I want to tell you something the devil was defeated 2000 years ago and if you walk in the light the devil cannot touch you he cannot touch you he cannot touch your children [00:08:37]

the fear of God will make you very sensitive to sin see when people get married one of the greetings I give to them almost all of them nowadays is or advice be quick to ask forgiveness and be quick to forgive that's all two sentences I say it'll take you through your married life and happiness [00:11:08]

be angry but don't sin that means the only anger that's permitted is that which is without sin for example when Jesus was angry in the temple at uh people making money in the name of religion it was righteous to be anger to be angry but when they slapped him or cursed him and spat on his face he didn't get angry [00:14:02]

Grace is God's power which will strengthen you in your weakness let me read it like that my grace is sufficient for you because that is my power which will strengthen you in your when you're weak and you know what our weakness is is our weakness is not that we can't lift heavy weights our weaknesses that we sin so easily [00:29:30]

if you are under grace no sin can overcome you you will overcome anger 24 hours a day if you have Grace without it impossible you overcome all the lusting with your eyes 24 hours a day if you have Grace if you don't have Grace you won't get it so the important thing question comes where can I get Grace [00:30:34]

God gives his grace to the humble God gives his grace to the humble so every time you get angry every time you've told a lie every time you do something evil you have to say it to yourself I did not get Grace and whatever however humble I may think I am God doesn't think so [00:32:22]

all of us have know that we all have had a past history of failure I know I have and you have don't forget that don't ever forget it's very easy to forgive the life of sin that we lived once where we didn't care for God I I was recently looking at a song we used to sing in the old days [00:33:33]

I used to get angry I used to get angry with my wife I just raised my voice I praise God it's gone from my life completely now I've experienced Grace and reverence for God but I know I was in that lost condition and the shepherd came and found me and I allowed him to put me on his shoulder and bring me back into the fold [00:36:49]

99 people who don't need any repentance because they are quick to acknowledge their sin get forgiveness and humble themselves and live in reverence for God I pray this church will be like that amen [00:39:48]

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Humility and the Fear of God: Foundations for Life

Devotional

Day 1: Humility and Fear of the Lord as Spiritual Foundations

Day 2: The Foundation of Fear Before Grace

Day 3: The Real Enemy: Our Flesh

Day 4: Righteous Anger and Forgiveness

Day 5: Grace as Empowerment for Righteous Living

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Humility and the Fear of God: Foundations for Life

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