Fearing God

To fear God is to experience terror or dread towards God.

The Fear of the Lord

Summary: Fearing God is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, emphasizing reverence, awe, and obedience to God.

Application: By understanding and applying the fear of the Lord, Christians can grow in wisdom, make decisions that honor God, and experience the blessings of obedience.

Teaching: This sermon teaches the importance of fearing God, how it impacts every aspect of our lives, and how it leads to a deeper relationship with Him.

How this passage could point to Christ: The fear of the Lord ultimately points us to Jesus Christ, who taught about the fear of God and exemplified perfect obedience to Him.

Big Idea: The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom and obedience, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a life that honors Him.

Recommended Study: For further study on the fear of God, explore passages in Proverbs that emphasize wisdom through fearing God, examine Jesus' teachings on obedience and reverence, and use Logos resources to delve into the theological implications of the fear of the Lord in both Old and New Testaments.

1. Foundation of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10

You could start by explaining how fearing the Lord is described as the beginning of wisdom in Proverbs. This can be a foundation for how a reverent fear of God leads to making wise decisions that honor Him, reflecting the big idea of the sermon. Christ, in His life, demonstrated this wisdom through perfect obedience, pointing us to the importance of fearing God not just as a concept but as a lived reality.

2. Folly Versus Fear

Proverbs 1:7

Perhaps delve into how the fear of the Lord is contrasted with folly, showcasing that the lack of such fear leads to a life far from God. This point emphasizes the teaching that fearing God is not only about awe and respect but also about choosing a path of obedience over disobedience. Linking this to Christ’s teachings on obedience, you might explain how true wisdom and understanding come from acknowledging God's authority and living accordingly.

3. Fear and Eternity

Matthew 10:28

Maybe explore Jesus’ instruction to fear not those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. This can illustrate how fearing God involves acknowledging His ultimate authority and control over our lives and eternity. Highlighting Jesus' example and teachings on fear can vividly bring out the application of living a life that is oriented towards God's will, thereby deepening our relationship with Him.