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The Fear of God Matthew 10:28. Religious and Moral Corruption. A choice to ignore God, Rom. 1:18-32 Must choose to give God His rightful place of honor in our hearts and lives, Eccl. 12:13; Acts 10:34-35 What is the fear of the Lord? Do we fear God? Reverence, awe and respect for God
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The Fear of God Matthew 10:28
Religious and Moral Corruption • A choice to ignore God, Rom. 1:18-32 • Must choose to give God His rightful place of honor in our hearts and lives, Eccl. 12:13; Acts 10:34-35 • What is the fear of the Lord? Do we fear God? • Reverence, awe and respect for God • Dread of displeasing God, coupled with faith and love -- compel us to obey Him • Goal of pleasing God is the controlling motive, 2 Cor. 7:1
The Fruit and Benefits of the Fear of God • The starting point of knowledge and instruction, Prov. 1:7 • To refuse invites the vanity of sin, Rom. 1:21, 28 • The beginning of wisdom, Prov. 9:10 • Honors God’s wisdom, Rom. 1:22 • Teaches us to fear God, Prov. 15:33 • It leads us to depart from evil, Prov. 16:6; 8:12-14; 3:5-7 (Rom. 1:28)
The Fruit and Benefits of the Fear of God • It leads us to pursue righteousness • Obedience, Deut. 10:12-13 • Worship and service, Deut. 6:13; Matt. 4:10 • Give glory to God, Rev. 14:7 • Given to lust without it, Rom. 1:24 • It protects and strengthens, Prov. 14:26-27; Psa. 33:18-21
Those Who Fear GodEcclesiastes 8:12 • God’s goodness is laid up for them, Psa. 31:19; cf. Rom. 2:4 • They shall not lack, Psa. 34:9 (23:1); Phil. 4:19 (Matt. 6:33) • God’s mercy is upon them, Psa. 103:11-14 • God takes pleasure in them, Psa. 147:10-11 • Are happy people, Prov. 28:14
When People Do Not Fear GodEcclesiastes 8:13 • Moral restraint disappears, Rom. 1:24, 26, 28; Matt. 10:28 • Door is opened for all kinds of injustice toward men and irreverence toward God (Rom. 1:18) • They live in rebellion against God, Psa. 36:1 (Rom. 3:18)
“Where is My Reverence?”Malachi 1:6 • It must be seen in the knowledge and wisdom we use in our lives • It must be seen by turning away from sin • It must be seen by pursuing righteousness • The fear of God must govern every relationship and every action • Holiness is perfected in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7:1 (Eccl. 12:13)