The Preeminance of God

1. He Is the Foundation of Ethics

Proverbs 9:10 NASB95

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Believer’s Bible Commentary L. Invitations from Wisdom and Folly (9:1–18)

Because he knows the Holy, a true believer can see more on his knees than others can see on their tiptoes.

Proverbs 9:11 NASB95

11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

years added in quantity and quality.

Why Do People of Faith Live Longer? by Micaela Ricaforte '20 A recent study finds that people who regularly attend religious services live approximately four years longer than average. Researchers built the study from previous data suggesting that social interaction, volunteer work, and healthy habits can lead to a longer life. While one could point to gym memberships and service clubs as offering similar results, there are unique benefits to church attendance that are difficult to measure. Consistent engagement with a community of believers deepens faith, enriches the soul, and may be the real key to longevity. Researchers from Ohio State University conducted two surveys studying more than 1,500 newspaper obituaries first from Ohio, then from across the United States. In both samples, the study showed that those with documented religious affiliations lived an average of 9.45 and 5.64 years longer respectively than those who did not. When other important factors like gender and marital status were calculated, the number dropped to 6.48 and 3.82 years.“There’s still a lot of the benefit of religious affiliation that this can’t explain,” said Laura Wallace, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in psychology at Ohio State University. These results come as no surprise to Azusa Pacific University's experts in the fields of counseling and faith. “Churchgoers tend to engage in positive behaviors including high social interaction and lower rates of alcohol and drug abuse,” said Bill Fiala, Ph.D., licensed psychologist and professor in APU’s Department of Higher Education. “In addition, religious support and coping are both related to positive outcomes in mental health.”

Proverbs 9:12 NASB95

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

personal responsibility. Each of us must choose what the basis of our ethics will be. Is the basis of our ethics God? Is the basis of our ethics ourselves? Or is the basis of our ethic community?

Galatians 6:4–5 NASB95

4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.

2. He is the Foundation of Life

Proverbs 10:27 NASB95

27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

As we saw earlier God is the foundation of the length of life. This is on average not in every single case.

Proverbs 19:23 NASB95

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Satisfaction and Safety

Romans 8:35–39 NASB95

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14:6 NASB95

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

3. He is the Foundation of Righteous Living

Proverbs 14:2 NASB95

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

4. He Is the Foundation of Mental Health

Proverbs 14:26–27 NASB95

26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

Confidence in

Matthew 10:28 NASB95

28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Proverbs 15:33 NASB95

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

5. He Is the Foundation of Joy

Proverbs 28:14 NASB95

14 How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

6. He Is the Foundation of Right Decisions

Proverbs 3:5–8 NASB95

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.

Fear, Trust, Believe in the self-existent God. He is the foundation of life itself.