With Fear and Trembling
Becoming Light Bearers in the Darkness • Sermon • Submitted
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
In the previous lesson, we noticed that in order to "shine as lights in the world", that we would do well to first "work out our own salvation" by:
Developing a Christ-like character
Developing a Christ-like service
But it is important to notice that Paul said we should do this "with fear and trembling"
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
In writing about the early church, Luke recorded:
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Notice that they were walking “in the fear of the Lord”! As we talked about a couple of weeks ago, the concept of fear and trembling as it relates to God is not very popular in the modern church. If you want to talk about God’s love and patience and mercy, that’s all right, but when we point to God’s righteousness indignation, His holiness, and justice people accuse you of all sorts of crazy abominations. They simply refuse to believe that God has those very characteristics in spite of what the Bible says. The emphasis on God’s love and mercy is not horrible, but when it is to the exclusion of some of the more direct and strong nature of God, the more disciplinarian side of God’s dealings with His children, then it paints a very warped and inaccurate view of God. Now, I understand that all of this could very well be a reaction to all of the hellfire and brimstone preaching of the past, and the sometimes very strict and religious attitudes of the past that were completely devoid of the nurture and mercies of God, but neither extreme is good as neither extreme paints a true picture of the God we serve. Where there is no concept of "fear and trembling" as it relates to the Christian, there is apathy amongst the believers as it relates to their Christian service. Could it be, then that we have forgotten Whom we should fear if we are negligent in our service? In this lesson, I hope to accomplish three things:
Define the "fear of the Lord"
Point out why the "fear of the Lord" is important to the Christian
Suggest how we can develop a healthy "fear of the Lord" without going to one extreme or the other
So let’s start out by doing a word study on the “fear of the Lord”.
The word “fear” in Hebrew is יִרְאָה and it’s pronounced Yir’ah. It’s used in the Old testament to describe:
fear, terror
awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
The Greek word is φόβος pronounced “PHOBOS” and it is used to describe:
fear, dread, terror
that which strikes terror
So why are we defining it? Well one of the reasons is to understand that it doesn’t always mean what we think it means, or doesn’t mean everything we think it means. I mean we know what it means to have terror or be fearful of. I mean look at how many people are just frozen with fear of catching the virus. But remember, when we are talking about words in Hebrew and their meanings and definitions, we need to remember that it is a very rich language meant to convey not just one meaning. As opposed to English which has a definition that can be ascertained by paying close attention to context, the Hebrew is meant to convey ALL the meanings of a word simultaneously. It’s not a case of picking the definition that fits in context, it is a case or applying the full definition to a word every time it’s used. In this case, we are looking at the word φόβος and trying to discern the meaning of the word because, like English Greek is contextual. The Greek reader would probably have picked the definition as “reverence or awe”, which in and of itself isn’t bad, but remember. This whole concept of fearing God is a Hebrew one and goes back to:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
So I wonder if this simplified Greek definition truly goes far enough. Why do I say that? Well, because though the terms “reverence” and “awe” imply a place for “trembling”, is it really that obvious? Do most people make the connection? THE "FEAR OF THE LORD" SHOULD INCLUDE A PLACE FOR "TREMBLING"! Let’s look at it in our text -
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
The Greek word for "trembling" is "TROMOS" and means "a trembling or quaking with fear". So then, if we extend that out with what we’ve discovered through our word study, A PROPER "FEAR OF THE LORD" WOULD THEN INCLUDE...
“reverence and awe...”
“being afraid to offend God in any way”
A trembling and quaking if one knows they have offended God and have not obtained forgiveness! - cf. He 10:26-27, 30-31;12:28-29
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
The value of such an attitude is seen as we continue on and now notice...
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, WE LEARN...
FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, WE LEARN...
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The "fear of the Lord" will cause one to hate evil
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
The "fear of the Lord" will prolong life -
The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
The "fear of the Lord" provides strong confidence and is a fountain of life -
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
The "fear of the Lord" prompts one to depart from evil
In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
The "fear of the Lord" leads to a satisfying life, and spares one from much evil -
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
The "fear of the Lord" is the way to riches, honor, and life!
By humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches and honor and life.
WITHOUT THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"...
WITHOUT THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"...
Since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom it stands to reason that without it, we close ourselves to the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Without wisdom, we begin to flirt with evil and are soon corrupted by it. Someone who lives an evil life is destined to have that life shortened by their refusal to obey God’s word. But even more tragic than that is, that when one refuses God’s wisdom and knowledge one closes himself off from knowing the love of God that gives us assurance and confidence of our salvation, which leads to a peace that passes understanding. When fallen into sin, we won’t be motivated to repent and turn to God! We will not be motivated to truly work out our own salvation. Simply put, without the fear of the Lord we cannot please God.
Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the Lord.
“But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.
Only the person who "trembles at His Word" has God's promise to receive His tender mercy!
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
But how does one develop the proper "fear of the Lord" without going to the extreme of earlier generations?
DEVELOPING THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
DEVELOPING THE "FEAR OF THE LORD"
THE "FEAR OF THE LORD" COMES THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD!
THE "FEAR OF THE LORD" COMES THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD!
Just as "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Ro 10:17), the same can be said for the "fear of the Lord"!
Notice
And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”
The children of Israel were told to gather every seven years to read and hear the Word... Why? "...that they may learn to fear the Lord"! As we read the Word of God, we gain a healthy degree of the "fear of the Lord". Consider the words of Paul in
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
Or how about the words of Peter in
But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
THE WORD OF GOD, PROPERLY USED, WILL MAINTAIN A PROPER BALANCE...
THE WORD OF GOD, PROPERLY USED, WILL MAINTAIN A PROPER BALANCE...
Here’s the key though. In order to avoid extremes, we must read ALL of God's Word! Some read only those portions will reveal God's love and mercy, and have no "fear of the Lord". Others emphasize the "fire, hell and brimstone" passages, and know nothing of God's everlasting lovingkindness. The one develops an attitude of permissiveness that belittles God's holiness and justice. The other develops a psychosis of terror that forgets God's grace and compassion. Even in the passages noted above, the context of each speaks much of God's grace and forgiveness for those who will repent!
So we must be careful how we use the Word of God, but use it we must!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
The Psalmist said...
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.
Why do we need to "fear the Lord"? So we will be sure to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling"! 3. The warning is necessary, for as it is written in Hebrews:
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
And again...
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
With the proper "fear of the Lord", we will "work out our salvation", we will "labour...to enter into that [heavenly] rest"! 5. And we will not only save ourselves with God's help, but will also be able to "shine as lights in the world"! 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.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
And I’ll leave you with a question this week. Are you "perfecting holiness in the fear of God"?
