The Transformative Power of the Fear of God

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound concept of the fear of God and its transformative power in our lives. The fear of God is not about being afraid but about cultivating a reverential awe and respect for His majesty and holiness. This fear is foundational to wisdom and is the beginning of our journey into the kingdom of God. As we grow in our understanding of God's attributes, His names, and His eternal decrees, our fear of Him deepens, displacing the fear of man. This growth is nurtured through prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers who take God seriously. The fear of God is not just an entry point into faith but a lifelong journey that shapes our sanctification and worship.

We also discussed the importance of the Psalms in understanding God's promises and dealing with life's challenges. The Psalms remind us that God will conquer His enemies and vindicate His people. In a world filled with lies and opposition to Christian ethics, we can have confidence that God's truth will ultimately prevail. This confidence is bolstered by meditating on the future life, as recommended by Calvin, which helps us live with an eternal perspective, reducing our fear of the world.

Furthermore, we examined the doctrine of election, emphasizing its primary role in understanding salvation and God's sovereignty. While not necessary for initial conversion, a deep understanding of election enriches our comprehension of God's grace. Lastly, we addressed the struggle with unbelief, encouraging those who doubt to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Assurance of salvation is an inside job, accomplished by the Holy Spirit, who brings conviction and confidence to the believer's heart.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Fear of God as a Lifelong Journey: The fear of God is foundational to wisdom and is the beginning of our spiritual journey. It is cultivated through knowing God's attributes, prayer, worship, and fellowship. This reverential awe displaces the fear of man and is essential for our sanctification and worship. [03:42]

2. The Psalms as a Treasure for Believers: The Psalms are a vital resource for understanding God's promises and dealing with life's challenges. They remind us of God's sovereignty and His ultimate victory over His enemies, providing confidence in a world filled with lies and opposition to Christian ethics. [08:33]

3. Meditating on the Future Life: Calvin's recommendation to meditate on the future life helps us live with an eternal perspective, reducing our fear of the world. By focusing on our heavenly treasure, we can live boldly for God, knowing that our ultimate home is not in this world. [10:46]

4. Understanding the Doctrine of Election: While not necessary for initial conversion, the doctrine of election is primary in understanding salvation and God's sovereignty. It enriches our comprehension of God's grace and is prominently featured throughout Scripture, highlighting its importance in the early church. [18:39]

5. Dealing with Unbelief and Assurance of Salvation: Struggling with unbelief is common, but the key is to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Assurance of salvation is brought by the Holy Spirit, who convicts and convinces believers of their standing with God, providing confidence and peace. [34:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction and Greetings
- [00:36] - Understanding the Fear of God
- [01:11] - Cultivating Reverential Awe
- [02:06] - The Role of Prayer and Worship
- [02:53] - The Fear of God in Scripture
- [03:42] - Lifelong Journey of Fearing God
- [04:34] - The Modern Church and Fear of God
- [05:14] - Influence of Holiness on Ministry
- [06:31] - Experiencing God's Presence
- [07:20] - The Importance of the Psalms
- [08:33] - God's Victory Over Enemies
- [10:20] - Meditating on the Future Life
- [11:30] - Understanding Blamelessness
- [13:07] - Repentance and Coming to Christ
- [15:47] - The Doctrine of Election
- [18:39] - Election's Role in Salvation
- [21:02] - Addressing Unbelief
- [23:14] - Assurance of Salvation
- [34:31] - The Holy Spirit's Role in Assurance
- [38:16] - Knowing You Have Eternal Life
- [40:28] - Future of Reformed Theology
- [43:17] - Challenges Facing the Church
- [45:13] - The Strength of Reformed Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
2. Ecclesiastes 12:13 - "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
3. Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how does the fear of God influence our fear of man? ([01:11])
2. What role do the Psalms play in understanding God's promises and dealing with life's challenges, as discussed in the sermon? ([07:20])
3. How does the doctrine of election contribute to our understanding of salvation and God's sovereignty? ([16:06])
4. What is the significance of meditating on the future life, as recommended by Calvin, in reducing our fear of the world? ([10:20])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the fear of God serve as a foundation for wisdom and a lifelong journey in our spiritual growth? What practical steps can believers take to cultivate this fear? ([03:42])
2. In what ways do the Psalms provide confidence in a world filled with lies and opposition to Christian ethics? How can believers use the Psalms in their daily lives? ([08:33])
3. How does understanding the doctrine of election enrich a believer's comprehension of God's grace? What impact does this understanding have on one's faith journey? ([18:39])
4. How does focusing on the future life help believers live with an eternal perspective? What are some practical ways to incorporate this focus into daily life? ([10:46])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current understanding of the fear of God. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your reverential awe and respect for His majesty? ([03:42])
2. Identify a Psalm that resonates with a current challenge you are facing. How can you incorporate its message into your prayer and meditation this week? ([08:33])
3. Consider your understanding of the doctrine of election. How does this doctrine influence your view of God's grace and sovereignty in your life? ([18:39])
4. What are some fears of the world that you struggle with? How can meditating on the future life help you overcome these fears? ([10:46])
5. Think about a time when you struggled with unbelief. How can looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, help you find assurance and peace? ([21:20])
6. How can you create a habit of meditating on the future life to maintain an eternal perspective in your daily decisions and interactions? ([10:46])
7. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the fear of man. How can cultivating a deeper fear of God help you respond differently in similar situations in the future? ([01:11])

Devotional

Day 1: Reverential Awe as the Foundation of Wisdom
The fear of God is not about being afraid but about cultivating a deep reverence and awe for His majesty and holiness. This reverential awe is foundational to wisdom and marks the beginning of our spiritual journey into the kingdom of God. As we grow in our understanding of God's attributes, His names, and His eternal decrees, our fear of Him deepens, displacing the fear of man. This growth is nurtured through prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers who take God seriously. The fear of God is not just an entry point into faith but a lifelong journey that shapes our sanctification and worship. [03:42]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself fearing man more than God? How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God today through prayer or worship?


Day 2: The Psalms as a Source of Confidence
The Psalms are a vital resource for understanding God's promises and dealing with life's challenges. They remind us of God's sovereignty and His ultimate victory over His enemies, providing confidence in a world filled with lies and opposition to Christian ethics. By meditating on the Psalms, we can find assurance that God's truth will ultimately prevail, and we can stand firm in our faith despite the challenges we face. [08:33]

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the Psalms into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's promises and sovereignty?


Day 3: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Calvin's recommendation to meditate on the future life helps us live with an eternal perspective, reducing our fear of the world. By focusing on our heavenly treasure, we can live boldly for God, knowing that our ultimate home is not in this world. This eternal perspective allows us to prioritize our spiritual growth and align our lives with God's purposes, rather than being consumed by the temporary concerns of this world. [10:46]

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from earthly concerns to eternal treasures today?


Day 4: The Enriching Doctrine of Election
While not necessary for initial conversion, the doctrine of election is primary in understanding salvation and God's sovereignty. It enriches our comprehension of God's grace and is prominently featured throughout Scripture, highlighting its importance in the early church. Understanding election helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the assurance of our salvation, knowing that it is God who initiates and completes our faith journey. [18:39]

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." (Ephesians 1:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the doctrine of election deepen your appreciation for God's grace in your life?


Day 5: Overcoming Unbelief with Assurance
Struggling with unbelief is common, but the key is to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Assurance of salvation is brought by the Holy Spirit, who convicts and convinces believers of their standing with God, providing confidence and peace. By focusing on Jesus and relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome doubts and grow in our faith, experiencing the peace that comes from knowing we are secure in God's love. [34:31]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: What doubts or unbeliefs are you currently facing, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring you assurance and peace today?

Quotes


To grow in the fear of God is to grow to know God more deeply and more personally in who He is, and that is made known to us in a general way in creation but in a special, sanctifying way in His word. As we grow to know the attributes of God, as we grow to know the names of God, as we grow to know the triunity of God, as we grow to know the eternal decree of God, as we grow to know the acts of God, there is a healthy holy reverential awe that swells and grows within our heart. [00:57:03]

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and Ecclesiastes 12:13 says the end of all matters is this: to fear God and to obey His commandments. And so the first step of entrance into the kingdom of God is to fear God. All true saving faith has in it the fear of God. No one giggles through the narrow gate, no one skips into the kingdom. We all come with a reverential submission to God, but we grow in the fear of God throughout the entirety of our Christian life. [02:41:44]

The Psalms are a vital resource for understanding God's promises and dealing with life's challenges. They remind us of God's sovereignty and His ultimate victory over His enemies, providing confidence in a world filled with lies and opposition to Christian ethics. The confidence we can have is that the lie will always eventually collapse of its own weight and foolishness. The problem is it takes a while sometimes. [08:33:00]

Calvin's recommendation to meditate on the future life helps us live with an eternal perspective, reducing our fear of the world. By focusing on our heavenly treasure, we can live boldly for God, knowing that our ultimate home is not in this world. The more we have a sense that ultimately we belong not to this world but to the world to come, the less we will fear this world. [10:46:00]

The doctrine of election is primary in understanding salvation and God's sovereignty. It enriches our comprehension of God's grace and is prominently featured throughout Scripture, highlighting its importance in the early church. You do not have to believe in the doctrine of election in order to be saved, but it is necessary to understand how it is you were saved and to understand really who the God is who saved you. [18:39:00]

Struggling with unbelief is common, but the key is to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Assurance of salvation is brought by the Holy Spirit, who convicts and convinces believers of their standing with God, providing confidence and peace. The Holy Spirit is greater than your fears and your own heart, and it is the office work of the Holy Spirit to bring assurance of salvation. [34:31:00]

The book of Psalms is one of the greatest treasures God has given His people, and the relative ignorance of the book of Psalms in the life of the church is one of the real tragedies. The Psalter is inspired in such a way that you need to know it well so you know which psalm to turn to in which circumstance. [07:20:00]

The fear of God is not uppermost in the modern church, and I don't think it's uppermost in the modern reformed church. If we were to think of attributes of the local church or characteristics of the local church, I'm not sure that the fear of God is one of them, sadly. And so it's a missing element, I think. [04:34:00]

The confidence we could have is that the lie will always eventually collapse of its own weight and foolishness. The problem is it takes a while sometimes. So, you know, it took Nazism 12 years to collapse. It took communism 80 years to collapse. They collapsed in part because of outside pressure, but they collapsed also because of the internal lie that couldn't sustain itself. [09:33:00]

The key is that you must look exclusively away from yourself and away from your own efforts and away from even your own mountain of sin and to look to Christ who is mighty to save and will save unto the uttermost those who draw near to Him. So, and to understand that He is, He will receive sinners who come to Him with a repentant faith. [21:02:00]

The Holy Spirit is greater than your fears and the Holy Spirit is greater than your own heart. And so it's the office work of the Holy Spirit to bring assurance of salvation, and the Holy Spirit does bring assurance of salvation. And I have found as a pastor that a lot of people who have doubt, one reason is because they've never been converted. [34:31:00]

The book of First John clearly, in fact, the most repeated word in the book of First John is that you might know that you might know that you might know that you might know. And the proof that First John sets forth is wherever there is the root of regeneration, there will by necessity be the fruit of sanctification. [36:31:00]

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Transcript
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