The Treasure of the Fear of the Lord

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often speak confidently about our beliefs, yet it's in moments of vulnerability that our true convictions are tested. As we gather, I am overwhelmed by the greatness of our God and the peace that comes from truly knowing Him. This evening, I want to share the profound truth found in Isaiah 33:6, where it states, "The fear of the Lord is your treasure." This fear is not a negative emotion but a precious gift, a treasure that brings us closer to God and grants us confidence and refuge.

The fear of the Lord is a source of strength and confidence, as Proverbs 14:26 tells us. It is a treasure that not only fortifies us but also provides a refuge for our children. This fear is a fountain of life, turning us away from the snares of death. It is not a relic of the past but a vital part of our relationship with God today. With Him, there is forgiveness, and therefore, we fear Him.

Tonight, I invite you to meditate on Hebrews 12, where we are called to strive for peace and holiness. This passage reminds us of the importance of maintaining a pure heart and avoiding bitterness, which can defile many. We are warned against the deceitfulness of sin and encouraged to remain sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

As we reflect on the nature of God, we are reminded of His holiness and power. The God of the Old Testament, who spoke through fire and tempest, is the same God we worship today. We are called to approach Him with reverence and awe, recognizing that we are part of an unshakeable kingdom. Our worship should be acceptable, marked by reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Let us join the innumerable angels in festal gathering, celebrating the Lamb who was slain. As we come before God, the judge of all, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, let us offer our worship with hearts full of reverence and awe.

Key Takeaways:

- The fear of the Lord is a treasure, a gift that brings us closer to God and grants us confidence and refuge. It is not a negative emotion but a source of strength and life. Embrace this fear as a precious possession that enriches your spiritual journey. [02:38]

- The fear of the Lord provides a refuge for our children. As parents, when we live in reverence to God, we create a safe haven for our families. This fear is a foundation that offers stability and security to those we love. [06:33]

- Strive for peace and holiness, for without these, no one will see the Lord. Avoid bitterness, which can defile many, and remain sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Let your heart remain pure and open to God's guidance. [10:49]

- Our God is a consuming fire, deserving of reverence and awe. Approach Him with a heart full of respect, recognizing His holiness and power. Let your worship be acceptable, marked by a deep sense of awe for who He is. [29:27]

- Join the heavenly assembly in worship, recognizing that we are part of an unshakeable kingdom. As we gather, we are not alone but are joining innumerable angels in celebrating the Lamb who was slain. Let this vision inspire your worship and deepen your connection with God. [23:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Facing Mortality with Faith
- [00:53] - Overwhelmed by God's Greatness
- [01:36] - The Treasure of the Fear of the Lord
- [02:23] - Understanding the Fear of the Lord
- [03:57] - Teaching the Fear of the Lord
- [05:24] - Confidence in the Fear of the Lord
- [06:33] - Refuge for Our Children
- [07:10] - The Fountain of Life
- [08:25] - Meditating on Hebrews 12
- [10:49] - Avoiding Bitterness
- [12:28] - Confessing Sin
- [15:03] - The Unchanging Nature of God
- [21:25] - Access to Mount Zion
- [29:27] - Offering Acceptable Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 33:6 - "The fear of the Lord is your treasure."
2. Proverbs 14:26-27 - "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death."
3. Hebrews 12:14-29 - A call to strive for peace and holiness, and a reminder of God's unchanging nature and the reverence He deserves.

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Isaiah 33:6, what is described as a treasure, and how is this concept presented in the sermon? [01:54]

2. In Proverbs 14:26-27, what benefits are associated with the fear of the Lord? How does the sermon illustrate these benefits? [06:14]

3. What does Hebrews 12:14-29 emphasize about our approach to God, and how does the sermon expand on this idea? [21:25]

4. How does the sermon describe the nature of God as presented in Hebrews 12, and what imagery is used to convey His holiness and power? [18:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the "fear of the Lord" as a treasure, and why is it considered a gift rather than a negative emotion? [02:38]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the fear of the Lord provides a refuge for our children, and how might this influence parenting? [06:33]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between striving for peace and holiness and seeing the Lord, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:14? [09:19]

4. How does the sermon explain the concept of God as a "consuming fire," and what implications does this have for our worship and reverence? [29:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal understanding of the "fear of the Lord." How can you embrace this fear as a treasure in your daily life? [02:38]

2. As a parent or mentor, how can you create a refuge for your children or those you influence by living in reverence to God? What practical steps can you take this week? [06:33]

3. Consider any bitterness you may be holding onto. How can you strive for peace and holiness in your relationships to avoid defiling others? [10:49]

4. In what ways can you approach God with more reverence and awe in your worship? Identify one change you can make in your worship practice this week. [29:27]

5. How can the vision of joining innumerable angels in worship inspire your personal worship experience? What can you do to deepen your connection with God during worship? [23:22]

6. Reflect on the idea of God as a consuming fire. How does this understanding challenge your current view of God, and how might it change the way you live out your faith? [29:27]

7. Identify one area in your life where you need to strive for holiness. What specific actions can you take to pursue this goal in the coming week? [09:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fear of the Lord as a Treasure
The fear of the Lord is not a negative emotion but a profound reverence that draws us closer to God. It is described as a treasure, a precious gift that enriches our spiritual journey and provides us with confidence and refuge. This fear is a source of strength and life, turning us away from the snares of death and fortifying our faith. Embracing this fear allows us to experience the peace and security that come from a deep relationship with God. [02:38]

Isaiah 33:6 (ESV): "And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and how might this change your perspective on challenges you face?


Day 2: Creating a Refuge for Our Children
Living in reverence to God not only strengthens our own faith but also creates a safe haven for our families. The fear of the Lord provides a refuge for our children, offering them stability and security. As parents, when we model a life of reverence and awe towards God, we lay a foundation that our children can build upon. This fear is a legacy that we pass on, ensuring that our loved ones are anchored in faith and protected from the uncertainties of life. [06:33]

Proverbs 14:26 (ESV): "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge."

Reflection: How can you intentionally demonstrate a life of reverence to God in front of your children or younger generations today?


Day 3: Striving for Peace and Holiness
The call to strive for peace and holiness is a reminder of the importance of maintaining a pure heart. Bitterness and sin can defile many, and we are encouraged to remain sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. By pursuing peace and holiness, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His guidance. This pursuit is essential for seeing the Lord and experiencing the fullness of His presence in our lives. [10:49]

Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV): "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled."

Reflection: Is there any bitterness or unresolved conflict in your life that you need to address? How can you take a step towards peace and holiness today?


Day 4: Worshiping with Reverence and Awe
Our God is a consuming fire, deserving of reverence and awe. As we approach Him, we are called to recognize His holiness and power, allowing this understanding to shape our worship. Our worship should be marked by a deep sense of respect and awe, acknowledging the greatness of God. By offering acceptable worship, we honor God and deepen our connection with Him, experiencing the transformative power of His presence. [29:27]

Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a greater sense of reverence and awe into your worship practices this week?


Day 5: Joining the Heavenly Assembly
As believers, we are part of an unshakeable kingdom, joining innumerable angels in celebrating the Lamb who was slain. This vision of the heavenly assembly inspires our worship and deepens our connection with God. Recognizing that we are not alone in our worship, we are encouraged to approach God with hearts full of reverence and awe. This understanding enriches our spiritual journey and strengthens our faith, reminding us of the eternal hope we have in Christ. [23:22]

Hebrews 12:22-24 (ESV): "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."

Reflection: How does the vision of joining the heavenly assembly in worship impact your understanding of your role in God's kingdom today?

Quotes


The fear of the Lord is your treasure. The fear of the Lord is your treasure. The fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure. I want you to have this treasure. See most time when we think of the fear of the Lord people talk about it like it's a bad thing. I don't want to talk about the fear of the Lord and your scripture says the fear of the Lord is your treasure. [00:02:23]

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. Okay in the fear of the Lord one has—don't you want strong confidence? I would just love to walk around with a confidence, or you're in a hospital bed and you're like I don't I'm not afraid of this. I don't dread this. [00:05:24]

The fear of the Lord is a Fountain of Life that one may turn away from the snares of death. It's a Fountain of Life everyone's searching for you know remember they used to make those movies about people looking for that Fountain of Youth or the Fountain of Life, and the scripture says here's the Fountain of Life, the fear of the Lord. [00:07:10]

Strive for peace with everyone and for the Holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Just meditate on that, tremble at that command, strive for this. Remember one of the verses we memorized this year is blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [00:09:08]

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness Springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. Let's see that no root of bitterness Springs up and causes trouble, and by it many are defiled. This happens in the church a lot. [00:10:49]

When you read the book of Hebrews you realize God is the same yesterday today and forever and if anything there's actually an increase of fear and intensity and and more things are understood about Grace and so some people have taken this passage and said well that first part doesn't really apply to us. [00:14:59]

You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the Living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to innumerable Angels infestal Gathering. He's explaining we're not like those people in the Old Testament that just had to stand at the base of the mountain and couldn't really go up into the presence of God. [00:21:25]

When you sing when you pray when you come in this room are you picturing just us or do you ever picture yourself joining with innumerable angels in festal gathering? What does that look like? So you understand when you lock in on the throne of God in the Heavenly Jerusalem, sitting on his throne then also picture like just innumerable more than you can count Angels celebrating. [00:23:22]

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire. You see this he he's not saying so that's why they had so much reverence and fear in the Old Testament and that was for back then he says no it's even more intense now. [00:29:27]

Because we've received a kingdom that cannot be shaken we're a part of this heavenly Kingdom this unshakable this invisible even the heavens he says will shake even the Earth will shake but we're a part of this invisible Kingdom that cannot be shaken, his promises have been made to us his and his spirit is in US. [00:31:05]

Because of who this God is, let's offer him worship that's acceptable, and he defines that as with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire. Reverence and awe, not like, all right let's worship again, but man when you hear the gospel like Vince presented it earlier does your heart just go, what kind of being are you? [00:32:45]

When you read this passage from Hebrews and you think about this consuming fire and you think I'm about to join all of these angels in heaven, how do you sing to him? With reverence and awe, my prayer for myself coming in tonight, okay coming into this evening I prayed this today I'm my God, can you make me more reverent than I've ever been in my life tonight. [00:33:19]

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Transcript
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