Read Matthew 10:28.  What does fearing God really mean?  It is defined this way in Psalms 119:120,   “My flesh trembles for fear of you.  I am afraid of your judgments.”  Moses warned the Israelites about what would happen if they stopped fearing God.   Deuteronomy 6:10-15   So fear includes both a deep reverence and respect as well as being afraid and frightened at times.

 Body:

 I. Examples of Fearing God

• Adam and Eve feared God after they sinned. Genesis 3:10

• Ananias and Sapphira’s actions brought great fear to the congregation. Acts 5:1-11

• Rebuke publicly so that others may fear.  I Timothy 5:19-20

• Fear is found throughout Revelation. Revelation. 11:15-18

• There was fear in every soul after Pentecost.  Acts 2:42

II. Where a Lack of Fear Leads

• People live an evil life.  There is no righteousness because they have no fear of God.  Romans 3:9-18

• Those who live an ungodly life will not control their actions.  II Timothy 3:1-5

III. What Proper Fear Produces

• Fear produces a turning away from evil.  Without fear, we won’t turn away. Proverbs 16:

• “The fear of the Lord is clean.”  This produces a clean heart.  It is a source of motivation to make us what we ought to be.  Psalms 19:9

• The fear of God will lead to holiness.  II Corinthians 7:1

• Fear is a motivation to teach the lost.  II Corinthians 5:10-11

• Maybe if we had more fear of God, we would have more saved.  Philippians 2:12

Conclusion:

• Fear God and keep His commandments.  Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

• Serve the Lord with fear and trembling.  Psalms 2:10

• Work out your salvation with fear and trembling  Philippian 2:12

Let us take to heart the words of Hebrews 12:25-29.   Serve God with reverence and fear.  If you want to enter the kingdom, be born of water and the spirit.  Tell the truth and then the hearer decides whether to obey.  The fear of the Lord persuades men.

Bobby Stafford

February 27, 2011