Reverence for God: Embracing Faith Amidst Fear
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor addressing the lack of sermons that instill the fear of God in people's hearts. He emphasizes that society has drifted away from respecting and acknowledging the power and authority of God, and the concept of hell has become mythical or legendary in the eyes of society. The pastor focuses on a verse in Matthew's gospel, where Jesus encourages his disciples not to fear those who can kill the body but to fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. The pastor then reflects on the faithfulness of God and the power of His deliverance, recounting personal experiences of God's intervention in his life.
The sermon transitions to a historical reference to Jonathan Edwards, a prominent figure in the first Great Awakening, known for his sermon titled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," which vividly describes the state of the lost and the imminent danger they face. The pastor then recounts a story about Laimer and King Henry, emphasizing the importance of being faithful to God, even in the face of opposition or persecution.
The pastor then emphasizes the consequences of refusing to acknowledge and respect God, quoting from Romans chapter 3, where Paul describes those who reject God as having open graves for throats, deceitful tongues, and lips poisoned with vipers' venom. He reminds the congregation that God's love is boundless, but for those who reject Him, separation from God and all that is good is the consequence. The pastor shares the example of Hugh Latimer, an English Bishop who was burned at the stake during the Protestant Reformation, as an inspiration for the congregation to remain true to their faith, even in the face of persecution.
The pastor addresses the fear of persecution and the concern of what others may think of believers for their faithfulness to Christ. He encourages the believers to boldly confess Jesus before others without fear, emphasizing that if God is for us, no one can be against us. The pastor discusses the importance of fearing God rather than fearing men, referencing a quote about John Knox, a reformer, who was said to fear God so much that he never feared any man.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the importance of fearing God and acknowledging His judgment. He refers to the Bible verse in Ecclesiastes 12 that instructs believers to fear God and keep His commandments, as this is the whole duty of man. The pastor highlights the prospect of hell as a reason to be scared and to have respect for God. He concludes by offering support and guidance for those in need and encourages the congregation to seek help if they have any concerns or if they require baptism or a church home.
Key Takeaways:
- The fear of God is not about being terrified of Him, but about respecting and acknowledging His power and authority. This fear should be greater than any fear of man or earthly consequences. ([12:45])
- God's love is boundless, but for those who reject Him, separation from God and all that is good is the consequence. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accepting God's grace and living in accordance with His commandments. ([24:30])
- The example of Hugh Latimer, an English Bishop who was burned at the stake during the Protestant Reformation, serves as an inspiration for believers to remain true to their faith, even in the face of persecution. This demonstrates the power of fearing God more than fearing man. ([36:20])
- Believers are encouraged to boldly confess Jesus before others without fear. If God is for us, no one can be against us. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing firm in our faith, regardless of societal pressures or potential persecution. ([48:10])
- The prospect of hell serves as a reason to fear God and respect His authority. Jesus explicitly spoke about hell, warning of its reality and the eternal consequences of rejecting God. This should inspire believers to live in accordance with God's commandments and to share the good news of salvation with others. ([59:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 10:28: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
2. Romans 8:31: "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
3. Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 10:28, what are the two types of fear being contrasted and what are their objects?
2. What is the rhetorical question in Romans 8:31 implying about God's relationship with us?
3. What are the consequences of acknowledging or disowning Jesus before others as stated in Matthew 10:32-33?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the fear of God, as described in Matthew 10:28, relate to our understanding of His power and authority?
2. How does the assurance in Romans 8:31 influence our boldness in confessing Jesus before others?
3. What does Matthew 10:32-33 suggest about the importance of public confession of faith in Jesus?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you were afraid of the consequences of man rather than the fear of God. How could you have responded differently in light of Matthew 10:28?
2. Considering Romans 8:31, identify a specific situation this week where you can boldly confess Jesus before others without fear. What might this look like in practice?
3. Reflecting on Matthew 10:32-33, can you think of a person or group of people you interact with regularly where it might be challenging to acknowledge Jesus? How can you prepare yourself to acknowledge Him in these situations?
4. In light of the consequences of disowning Jesus before others, as stated in Matthew 10:32-33, what is one step you can take to ensure your actions and words consistently acknowledge Him?
5. How can the fear of God, as described in Matthew 10:28, influence your daily decisions and interactions this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Acknowledging God's Supreme Authority
God's authority and power are beyond human comprehension, and our fear of Him should be a reverential awe that surpasses any earthly fear. This fear is not about terror, but about respect and acknowledgment of His supreme authority over all creation. [12:45]
Isaiah 8:13 - "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions and decisions. Are they influenced more by the fear of God or the fear of man? How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's authority?
Day 2: Embracing God's Boundless Love
God's love is boundless and available to all, but those who reject Him face separation from all that is good. This sobering reality underscores the importance of accepting God's grace and living in accordance with His commandments. [24:30]
Hosea 10:12 - "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are resisting God's love? How can you open your heart more fully to receive His boundless love and grace?
Day 3: Standing Firm in Faith Amid Persecution
The example of Hugh Latimer, who remained true to his faith even in the face of persecution, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fearing God more than fearing man. [36:20]
1 Peter 3:14 - "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'"
Reflection: Are there situations where you feel pressured to compromise your faith? How can you stand firm in your faith, even when facing opposition or persecution?
Day 4: Boldly Confessing Jesus Before Others
As believers, we are called to boldly confess Jesus before others without fear. If God is for us, no one can be against us. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing firm in our faith, regardless of societal pressures or potential persecution. [48:10]
Hebrews 13:6 - "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? How can you boldly share your faith with them this week?
Day 5: Respecting God's Judgment and the Reality of Hell
The prospect of hell serves as a sobering reminder to fear God and respect His authority. Jesus explicitly spoke about hell, warning of its reality and the eternal consequences of rejecting God. This should inspire us to live in accordance with God's commandments and to share the good news of salvation with others. [59:30]
Luke 12:5 - "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."
Reflection: How does the reality of hell influence your understanding of God's judgment? How can this understanding motivate you to share the gospel with others?
Quotes
"We don't hear all that many sermons nowadays that put the fear of God in people's hearts... Society has lost those components of an earlier time in our religious history when people could be moved by a concern over the authority of God falling upon them, the power of God judging them." [47:34]
"Do not be afraid of Those Who Kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and Body in in hell." [49:07]
"Ladimer be careful what you say, the King of Kings is here. It's better to be a faithful Christian in the hands of an angry king than an unrepentant rebellious sinner in the hands of an Angry God." ([01:12:10])
"Hell is just the best God can do for some people and it's true. God's love is boundless, but for some people, the best that can be done for them is Hell, separation from God and all that's good for all eternity." ([01:09:25])
"The power of men is insignificant when compared to the power of almighty God. He should be our first concern, he is our creator, he is the one to whom we owe our very lives. How impertinent is it to turn our backs on the one who created us, who acted to redeem us, who extends forgiveness to us even in the midst of our sin." ([01:10:07])
"The prospect of hell should scare the hell out of us... it's a place of Darkness full of weeping and nashing of teeth because those who are there excluded from the light of life and all that is good and and worthy and useful." #!!01:07:00!!#
"Even the mere thought of ending up there should sober us in life, it should strike Terror and respect in our hearts... it's the ultimate end for everyone who refuses to respect God and acknowledge His grace toward us." #!!01:07:49!!#
"In our context in modern day United States of America, we don't have much fear of physical persecution as it were for our beliefs, but what we do seem to fear and what is of great concern is what people will think of us for our faithfulness to Christ." #!!55:14!!#
"We're not so much afraid of the sword of persecution as we are afraid of what others will consider us to be or think about us in our faith." #!!55:55!!#
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