No Fear (Rom [3]10-18)
No Fear!
Text: Romans 3:10-18
Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)
Date Preached - (02/15/98) (07/25/99)
Introduction: You may have seen the “No Fear” logo in recent years on sweat shirts, t-shirts, ball caps, window decals, etc. NO FEAR is a clothing manufacturer that targets the so-called generation - X with their products.
There name is a Biblical one taken right out of our text today.
Also found in....
(Psa 36:1 KJV) The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Of course it is used in a very negative context in Scripture. And it is a sad day when there is NO FEAR of God in a nation. I believe it is indicative of the times in which we live.
USE FRESHER ILLUSTRATIONS!
Two major stories of recent weeks will help to illustrate my point.
1). The Presidential Crisis in the United States (Allegations of Adultery)
2.) The Ross Reblagiati story (Tested positive for marijauna in Nagano, Japan Olympics after winning snow-boarding Gold medal)
While it is disturbing that these things would take place, it is even more disturbing to hear the public reaction.
Close to 70% of Americans support Clinton. Many Canadians are viewing the snowboarder as a martyr and now a hero that he has retained his gold medal.
The public attitude is that it doesn’t matter what an athlete does outside of competition so long as they are good at what they do. It doesn’t matter what a leader’s morals are as long as he is doing a good job.
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
I’m telling you when it is the majority that think that way, we as nations have lost the fear of God.
Briefly define fear of God.
03374 yir'ah {yir-aw'}
from 03373; TWOT - 907b; n f
AV - fear 41, exceedingly + 01419 2, dreadful 1, fearfulness 1; 45
1) fear, terror, fearing
1a) fear, terror
1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
1d) revered
5401 phobos {fob'-os}
from a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); TDNT - 9:189,1272; n m
AV - fear 41, terror 3, misc 3; 47
1) fear, dread, terror
1a) that which strikes terror
2) reverence for one's husband
ILLUS: Cornered by a doberman pinscher when delivering Pizza. Or frothy mouthed German shepherd that busted off his chain. I had respect and feared.
Deuteronomy 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Deuteronomy 10:12 ¶And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Joshua 4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Proverbs 1:7 ¶The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2 Corinthians 7:1 ¶Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Now in Vs. 18 we find the reason for the behaviour mentioned in previous verses. It summarizes this passage and gives us the root cause of these problems. The root is there is no fear of God.
Notice the phrase “in their eyes”!!
What about Christians?
There are many scriptural injunctions to fear God!!!
When men have no fear of God it is revealed in three areas of their lives.
I. Revealed In His Character
Vv. 10-12 (Man’s Nature)
These things are potentially true of all men. All men may not have committed these things, but the seed is there!
ILLUS: Rust & Cars
Because he is....
A. Void of Righteousness
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(Prov 16:6 KJV) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
ILLUS: Rock Music, Drugs & Alcohol (Alcohol is a drug!!!), Illicit Desires, Violence.
B. Void of Reason
There is none that understandeth,
(Psa 111:10 KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
(Psa 14:1 KJV) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
C. Void of Response
there is none that seeketh after God.
(Prov 2:5 KJV) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
D. Void of Revenue
No profit for self or others.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;
(Prov 22:4 KJV) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
The Fear of God will change your Character. You will get saved!
(2 Cor 5:17 KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Fear of hell, consequences of sin, etc.
(Jude 1:22 KJV) And of some have compassion, making a difference:
(Jude 1:23 KJV) And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
II. Revealed In His Conversation
Vv.13-14
ILLUS: What comes out of a cup? When jostled?
A. Words of Death
Their throat is an open sepulchre;
Proverbs 18:21 ¶Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Speech is revealing
ILLUS: “Christians” who talk profanely.
B. Words of Deceit
with their tongues they have used deceit;
Socially acceptable to lie?
C. Words of Destruction
See James 3:1-10!
the poison of asps is under their lips:
Words can destroy, Words can kill
D. Words of Defilement
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Profanity and vulgarity
Ephesians 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Bitterness & Caustic
(Heb 12:15 KJV) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
The Fear of God will change your Conversation.
III. Revealed In His Conduct
Vv.15-17
Feet and a path are symbolic of our conduct and manner of living.
A. Lead them to Shedding of Blood
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Increase in violence is well documented.
ILLUS: Stamping death of an 83yr old woman in Vancouver by three young people (1998)
Countries with low crime rate, they also have public hangings.
Singapore is an example.
B. Lead them to Sorrow
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
No lasting happiness in sin.
C. Lead them to Strife
And the way of peace have they not known:
The Fear of God will change your Conduct.
Conclusion:
You can fear God or you can fear man.
Fear God rather than Men.
Proverbs 29:25 ¶The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
(Acts 4:19 KJV) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Fear God!!
Don’t worry about what others are!
Don’t worry about what others say!!
Don’t worry about what others do!!!
Fear God!!!