1-12-20 Sermon Notes
“The Fear of the Lord”
This week, we begin the first of our ten-week series on Proverbs, “Heavenly Wisdom.”
Introduction
1. Our approach to studying the book to the book of Proverbs will be using a topical rather than textual approach and noting recurring themes dispersed throughout the proverbs
2. A good topic to begin with is “The Fear of the Lord”…
a. Described as “the beginning of knowledge” – Proverbs 1:7
b. Also as “the beginning of wisdom” – Proverbs 9:10
Message
UNDERSTANDING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A. THE MEANING OF THE WORD “FEAR”…
1. In Hebrew, the word is yara’
2. In the Old Testament, it has a three-fold range of meaning:
a. Dread, terror – Deuteronomy 1:29
b. To stand in awe (in reference to a king) – 1 Kings 3:28
c. To revere, to respect (in regards to parents) – Leviticus 19:3
— The proper kind of fear is that which causes one to stand in awe, to revere, to respect
With a proper understanding of the fear of the Lord, we are more likely to appreciate the value of the fear of the Lord as revealed in the Proverbs…
I. APPRECIATING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A. WITH THE FEAR OF THE LORD..
1. We will be shielded –Proverbs 2:1-12
2. We will hate evil – Proverbs 8:13; Job 2:3
3. We will prolong life – Proverbs 10:27
4. We have strong confidence and a fountain of life – Proverbs 14:26-27
5. We will be prompted to depart from evil –Proverbs 16:6
6. We will have a satisfying life, spared from much evil – Proverbs 19:23
7. We will enjoy riches, honor, and life! –Proverbs 22:4
8. We will be praised – Proverbs 31:30
9. We will fulfill our responsibility to God – Ecclesiastes 12:13
B. WITHOUT THE FEAR OF THE LORD…
1. We deprive ourselves of the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge
2. We will flirt with evil and be corrupted by it
3. Our lives are likely to be shortened by our refusal to heed God’s word (e.g., suffering sexually transmitted diseases if we do not heed His Word on sexual relationships)
4. We will not come to know the love of God that gives assurance and confidence of salvation
5. When fallen into sin, we will not be motivated to repent and turn to God!
The fear of the Lord should be a highly regarded and sought after trait, one that we desire to develop in our lives.
With that in mind, here are some suggestions on…
II. DEVELOPING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A. THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD…
1. Just as faith comes by hearing the word of God – Romans 10:17
2. The same can be said for the fear of the Lord – Deuteronomy 31:10-13
a. Israel was to gather every seven years to read and hear the Word
b. The purpose? “…that they learn to fear the Lord”
3. As one reads the Word of God, we should gain a healthy degree of the fear of the Lord
a. For example, consider the words of Paul – Romans 2:4-11
b. Or how about the words of Peter? – 2 Peter 3:7-14
B. PROPERLY USED TO MAINTAIN BALANCE…
1. To avoid extremes we must read all of God’s Word
a. Some read only about God’s love, and have no fear of the Lord
b. Others read only about God’s judgment and know nothing His loving kindness
c. The one develops an attitude of permissiveness that belittles God’s holiness and justice
d. The other develops a psychosis of terror that forgets His grace and compassion
We must be careful how we use the Word of God, but use it we must!
Concluding Remarks and Application
1. If we desire to be truly wise, then let us begin with the fear of the Lord.
2. Understanding it, appreciating it, and developing it in our lives as children of God!
“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” – Acts 9:31