Chapter 1.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:1–7

Our message tonight is topical, and we will consider a few of the Proverbs, but we won't confine ourselves there. The specific subject of consideration tonight is the fear of God. Proverbs chapter 1. I'll just read verses 1 to 7.

The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity, to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Amen.

Well, let us pray.

Opening Prayer

Father in heaven, we pray for that wisdom now. We pray for the ministry of the Spirit that we may understand this doctrine of the fear of God. As we consider who you are, it ought to promote the fear of God in our hearts. There ought to be that reverence and that respect and that awe before such a holy and gracious God.

We would pray tonight that you would guide our thinking, that you would help us, God, to see how important such a thing is in our own lives. We ask again that you would forgive us for our sins, forgive us for those instances and those times where we give little evidence that we actually do fear the God of heaven and earth. Please wash us in that blood, purify our hearts, and cause us to receive with thanksgiving what Scripture says concerning this disposition wrought by the grace of God upon the people of God. And we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Introduction: The Two Kinds of Fear

Well, in this brief introduction in Proverbs chapter 1, Solomon highlights the purpose for Proverbs. In other words, why is this book in the Bible? He says, to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom. to give prudence to the simple. He says a wise man will hear an increase in learning to understand a proverb and an enigma.

In other words, the book of Proverbs has a very practical end, that you be more conformed unto the image of Christ, displaying something of a godly wisdom. And then he highlights the necessary prerequisite to this wisdom. Verse 7, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Now I think at times Christians, along with non-Christians, have a misconception of what the fear of God actually means.

In other words, we hear that phrase and we think it means to run and hide underneath the piano because God is coming to get us. Well, that is called a slavish fear. This particular type of fear is what we might call a filial fear. And I think both of these are very well demonstrated in the book of Exodus.

Just to try and flesh this out before we begin, look at Exodus chapter 20. Exodus chapter 20 highlights the two types of fear. I think this filial fear does indeed include at least a little portion of running under the piano to hide sort of a fear. In other words, when we understand who God is and we see ourselves in relation to Him, it ought to promote in us this disposition, this fear.

But if you look at Exodus chapter 20, specifically at verse 18, this is after the giving of the Decalogue or the Ten Commandments. Notice in verse 18, now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. And when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, you speak with us and we will hear, but let not God speak with us lest we die.

Because that's the kind of fear that I'm speaking of, of running underneath the piano so that God doesn't get us. Now note Moses' instruction in verse 20, and Moses said to the people, do not In other words, don't fear that way. Don't try to run away and hide. Do not fear is what that means.

But going on it says, for God has come to test you and that His fear may be before you so that you may not sin. So, the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was." So you see, in this one verse, there is two references to fear. A fear we're not supposed to evidence, and a fear that we are supposed to evidence. And what John Gill says, I think, is fitting in this place, with reference to the instruction, do not fear.

He says, be not afraid with a slavish fear. And then when it goes on to say that his fear may be before you, he says, not a slavish fear of death, of wrath, and damnation, but a reverence of the divine majesty, an awe of his greatness and glory, a serious regard to his commands delivered in so grand a manner and a carefulness to offend him by disobeying him." So this idea of the fear of God carries with it this reverence for God, this respect for God, this esteem for God. So on the one hand, they are discouraged from manifesting the slavish fear, but on the other hand, they are told to have present in their hearts this filial fear that marks their souls in this particular way. Now John Murray in his book Principles of Conduct has a very helpful chapter in there on the fear of God, and he describes the fear of God as the soul of godliness, the soul of godliness.

He goes on to explain, the fear of God in us is that frame of heart and mind which reflects our apprehension of who and what God is. So you see, the fear of God necessarily follows when we esteem God as He is, or when we see Him as the Scriptures declare Him. And then we understand our relationship to Him. So the fear of God in us is that frame of heart and mind which reflects our apprehension of who and what God is.

And who and what God is will tolerate nothing less than totality commitment to Him. So this fear of God ought to result in totality commitment to Him. So I just want to draw out four propositions tonight, again by way of a topical survey, looking at the book of Proverbs but elsewhere, and then make some concluding observations.

Fear of God Is Wrought by Grace

In the first place, the fear of God is wrought by the grace of God. In other words, the fear of God that is right, the fear of God that we should possess, the fear of God that we are speaking about is that fear that the Lord God puts in us Himself. We see this in several respects. In the first place,

Man by Nature Does Not Fear God

by nature, man does not fear God. You can turn to Romans chapter 3. Romans chapter 3. Hopefully you remember the particulars of Romans chapter 3.

Paul starts his gospel presentation in Romans chapter 1 at verse 18 with the bad news. You see, the gospel means good news, but good news makes no sense unless it's in a context. In other words, the bad news is presented by the apostle Paul first in order to highlight the goodness of the good news. And so in chapter 1, verse 18, to chapter 3, verse 20, the apostle highlights the universal condemnation of man as a result of his sin.

He highlights the sin of the heathen in chapter 1. He highlights the sin of the Jews in chapter 2. And here in chapter 3, he summarizes with Old Testament citations to make the case that all mankind is guilty before a holy God. Now, notice in Romans 3, specifically at verse 10, as it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.

There is none who understands. There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable.

There is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb, with their tongues they have practiced deceit. The poison of asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. You see, that's the grand indictment upon man in sin. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

That's evidenced in the reality that they don't esteem God, they don't respect God. In the language of Paul in Romans 1, although they knew that God is, they don't honor Him as God or glorify Him as God, nor are their hearts thankful to Him. So they live in a world as if there is no God, and that fleshes itself out in all manner of wicked practice. You have to see the connection that Paul makes in Romans 1.

Verse 18, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. He highlights the fact that they live as if there is no God. They say, essentially, no God. And as a result of that, of their ungodliness, then all manner of unrighteousness follows.

That's what's wrong with society today. Yes, homosexuality is a problem. Yes, abortion is a problem. Yes, transgenderism is a problem.

Yes, euthanasia is a problem. But the primary core is that men don't fear God. Men do not respect the lofty one of Israel. Men do not esteem Him, they do not praise Him, they do not revere Him, they do not dread Him in terms of His majesty and His honor and His power.

And when men have that rejection of the true and the living God, then all manner of wickedness follows. So Paul says here specifically, with reference to those outside the grace of God in Jesus Christ, there is no fear of God before their eyes. Notice in Romans 8. Romans 8, by nature, man sees God as his enemy and therefore does not fear Him.

Romans 8, verse 7, because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be, so then those who are in the flesh cannot Please, God, there is a cannot involved in man's nature. He cannot save himself. He cannot make himself better. He cannot make himself even save a bull.

He sees God as his enemy, and therefore he does not fear Him. As well, by nature, man esteems himself over God, and thus his commitment is to self and not God. If, as Murray says, this proper fear of God translates into totality commitment to God, we see in the reality that man loves and esteems himself over God as a rejection of the fear of God. Notice in 2 Corinthians 5, I suppose that one of the last idols to die is the idol of self.

I suppose that one of the most difficult idols to identify is the idol of self. We might go out and present the gospel to people and they might say something like, well, I'm not a murderer, I'm not an adulterer, I'm not a thief, I'm not a wicked person. At the root, all of us are wickedly committed to ourselves. Note one of the grand designs of the gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 5, verse 14, for the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus, that if one died for all, then all die. And he died for all, now notice, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. We lived for ourselves. Totality of commitment was not directed to God, vis-à-vis a proper fear of God, but it's directed to ourselves.

Paul the Apostle highlights this in his letter to Timothy, specifically 2 Timothy chapter 3, when he identifies or he describes or he characterizes what the last days will look like. I don't believe this is in our future, but I think the last days here used by the Apostle Paul refers to that period between the first and the second coming of our Lord Jesus. But notice in 2 Timothy 3.1, but know this, that in the last days perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves. That doesn't mean you kiss yourself, and it doesn't mean you look at the mirror every two seconds.

I mean, it could translate to be that way, but it just means your totality commitment is to yourself. This is what is characteristic of man in the last days. This is what is characteristic of man outside the grace of God through the gospel of our Lord Jesus. So we maintain the fear of God is wrought by the grace of God.

By nature, man does not fear God, Romans 3.18. By nature, man sees God as his enemy and therefore does not fear Him. By nature, man esteems himself over God and thus his commitment to self is to self and not to God.

Grace Alone Produces True Fear

So we conclude that by grace man fears God. Didn't we just sing that in Newton's hymn? "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear." Have you as a Christian ever considered the fact that you're here praising God, wanting to praise God? Have you as a Christian ever considered the fact that on a Thursday morning you're reading scripture and you're praying?

Have you ever considered the fact that your orientation in life is now different than it once was? Who gets the praise, who gets the glory, and who gets the honor for that change of heart? It better not be you. It is grace that taught our hearts to fear.

Now, was this devised by Newton with his Calvinistic soteriology and his Reformed leanings? No, he gets it from the prophet Jeremiah. You can turn to Jeremiah chapter 32. Again, establishing our first point tonight, the fear of God is wrought by the grace of God.

Notice in Jeremiah 32. Whether this is the particular text Newton had in mind when he penned that particular hymn, I don't know. I like to think it is. It's certainly a good candidate as he's penning that most glorious hymn of praise unto God.

I like to think that Jeremiah 3240 jumped into his mind and he thought, wow. That'll really communicate what I'm trying to get across. "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear." Let's look back for just a moment to verse 36. Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in my anger, in my fury, and in great wrath.

I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. God, through the prophet, is encouraging the exiles that the exile is going to end. There will be restoration. They will return to Judah.

That is the place, the location from whence Messiah will come. It says, they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Then I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me forever for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from doing them good, but I will put my fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from me.

Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and with all my soul." You see, it was grace that taught. my heart to fear." And that is precisely what the prophet says at the end of verse 40. But I will put my fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from me. John Flavel commenting on this particular theme, that the fear of God is wrought by the grace of God, says this. This fear of God is a gracious habit or principle planted by God in the soul, whereby the soul is kept under an holy awe of the eye of God, and from thence is inclined to perform and do what pleases Him, and to shun and avoid whatsoever He forbids and hates.

It is planted in the soul as a permanent and fixed habit. To fear man is natural, but to fear God is wholly supernatural." in this state or in this condition of fearing God rightly because of the grace of God. And thus, by grace, man's fear of God therefore reflects, albeit impartially and albeit imperfectly, a correct understanding of who God is and who we are in relationship to Him.

Fear of God Affects Our Thinking

Secondly, we ought to appreciate, in terms of a more practical application, the fear of God affects our thinking. The fear of God affects our thinking. We go back to the book of Proverbs. The fear of God is wrought by the grace of God.

Secondly, the fear of God affects our thinking. Proverbs 1.7, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Notice Proverbs 2.5, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. You see how these two are in close relationship to one another.

There is no true knowledge, there is no true understanding apart from the fear of the Lord. If you are here tonight and you do not fear God, if you are here tonight and you identify with those highlighted in Romans chapter 3, yeah, you may know what 2 plus 2 is. You may know how to balance your checkbook. You may know how to look for bargains at Superstore.

You may have some knowledge to be sure, but in terms of God's response, or in terms of God's approval, true knowledge, true wisdom, true understanding is closely connected to the fear of God in the heart of a man who is saved by grace. Notice in Proverbs 9.10. Just establishing this fear of God ought to affect our thinking. It does, but hopefully it will more once we get these things into our minds.

Proverbs 9, 10, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 14 and verse 26. In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. And then in Proverbs 15, verse 33, the fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.

So you cannot discount that connection. The fear of the Lord is directly connected to our knowledge, to our understanding, to our wisdom, to our growth and grace. Perhaps you have trouble learning theology. Perhaps you have trouble understanding your Bible.

Perhaps you are not growing in the knowledge of the Savior as you ought. The problem might be more fundamental. You might need to cultivate in your own soul, under the gracious power of God Most High, more of the fear of the Lord, to esteem Him properly, to revere Him appropriately, to see Him as He is, as He's revealed in the Holy Scriptures. This is absolutely requisite for us to have a proper understanding of who He is.

We must approach Him as the God revealed to us in Holy Scripture, and that is the vantage point upon which, or the vantage place by which we grow in our understanding. Christ emphasizes this effect in the mind when He repeats what is given in Deuteronomy 6. Remember when Jesus is asked, which is the first and the foremost commandment? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

You see, this fear of the Lord ought to affect the thinking of God's people. The fear of the Lord ought to work its way into our minds. The fear of the Lord ought to produce and promote in us a wisdom and a knowledge that is derived from Scripture wherein we think God's thoughts after Him, and we're able to go out into this world and give a reasoned, rational argument for the truth as it is in Jesus. Too many Christians have suspended the noetic, or the intellectual.

They have suspended the mind, and they just want to love Jesus. They just want the emotions. Brethren, any emotion that is not driven by the truth would be highly suspect in my estimation. It is the truth which should drive the emotional response.

It is the truth which should bring about the emotional effect. If the truth is lacking and somebody has all the warmth and the emotivity that they can concoct, it is very and highly suspect where that emotivity would have come from. Brethren, the fear of the Lord ought to affect our thinking. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 16, as believers in Christ, he says, but we have the mind of Christ.

So again, working off what John Murray said, totality commitment to God certainly includes our mind. Last night at our AGM, we rehearsed the fact that we offer a lot of services, not offer a lot like it's a used car lot or something like that, but there's a lot of opportunity for teaching in our church. Well, why is that? Because Christianity in the first place is about what we believe.

That's what makes us different from other people. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims and all, you know, atheists, they can do good things. They can walk old ladies across the street. They can donate money to the Red Cross.

What is it that distinguishes us? What is it that makes us different? It's the truth that we believe. The reality that Christ Jesus came into this world, sinners to save.

The reality that He is the bloody knife and the smoking altar by which sinners enter into the presence of a holy God. It is what we believe. If we are not cultivating and growing and learning and understanding more, we are violating a command, first of all, 2 Peter 3.18. Peter tells us to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

But as well, brethren, we're not going to be useful in the hands of the master. He wants people to think. Isn't that amazing? God wants us to think.

See, Baal didn't care if you thought, because obviously Baal isn't real. But let's just suppose for a moment that Baal was real, or Baal, or Asherah, or Moloch. They don't care if the worshipers think. If the worshipers actually started to think, they would realize that this is a fake.

You know how they worshiped Baal? They would copulate with one another in order to get Baal to copulate with one of his goddess consorts, and then Baal would be happy to reign upon the earth and bring fertility to the land. I mean, if you stopped and thought about that for, oh, five seconds, you would realize that this just doesn't seem or sound right. So Baal's not really concerned whether or not you think.

Baal's all about your emotivity. Baal is all about you thinking from the waist down. Baal is all about the emotions and the reverie and all that sort of thing. But don't engage the mind.

Yahweh of Israel, however, was about engaging the mind, not looking for forms, not constructing idols, not being visually oriented. You saw no form. You heard the voice. God revealed himself through his word.

And they were to hear, they were to learn, they were to take heed. It was not emotivity, it was thinking what God says. So totality commitment to God indeed reflects our thinking.

Fear of God Affects Our Actions

Thirdly, the fear of God ought to, I'm going to say it does, it ought to more, the fear of God affects our actions. The fear of God affects our actions, Proverbs chapter 3. Now, if it's not doing that, then brethren, we need to cultivate the fear of God. We'll have some things to say about that in just a few minutes.

But notice, the fear of God affects our actions, Proverbs 3, 7. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.

Essentially, the passages I'm going to read to you from Proverbs echo that. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. See, what's the implication? You can't fear the Lord and stay in evil, right?

When you're clicking on that internet porn site, you're not fearing the Lord. When you're smoking that crack cocaine, you're not fearing the Lord. When you're committing adultery, you're not fearing the Lord. You see, these are two contrary things.

The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. To engage in evil is to not fear God. It is really that simple. One person said, I'm really struggling with this particular sin.

Oh, yeah? Well, perhaps you're struggling with the fear of God, because the fear of God not only affects our mind, but it ought to affect the way that we live. It affects our actions, and this is highlighted several places by Solomon in the book of Proverbs. Notice in Proverbs 5.21.

Now, the language, fear of the Lord, is not used, but the context suggests it. Just to back up for a moment. Proverbs chapter 5, I submit, teaches us the three R's of sexual purity. You know what the three R's are in school, right?

Reading, writing, and arithmetic. I just thought that was kind of interesting that you butcher arithmetic to get your sort of alliteration down. But you understand, the three R's, reading, writing, arithmetic. I think Solomon presents his sons in Proverbs 5, 3R's to sexual purity.

In the first place, remove. Notice in verse 8, remove your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house. What's the best way to avoid sexual immorality? Don't go near the woman.

If you're a woman, don't go near the man, right? My choice, it's my body. Why didn't you make that choice nine months or three months prior? You see, there's a surefire way to end abortion.

Do not engage in immoral behavior, you see? And Solomon tells his sons, unfortunately himself didn't follow this advice later on, remove your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house. Notice what Solomon says. Remove your way far from her, don't go near the door of her house.

He doesn't say don't go near her bed. Don't even go near her door. If you know that this immoral woman is there, you are playing with fire to go near her. And we can reverse it.

If you're a woman, don't go near the door of his house. It's just written in this particular way. Don't say Solomon was a sexist and only women are bad. No, men are bad, women are bad, everybody's bad.

And I think Solomon would agree with that. Well, I know Solomon would agree with that because he tells us in several places in his writings. But remove your way far from her. Don't go near the door of her house.

How do we apply that to the home computer? Don't even go near the site. Don't even think about clicking. I know that this is a real-life temptation for real-life human beings, and what Solomon says is, remove your way far from her.

Do not go near the door of her house. Notice the second R, rejoice. Verse 18, the Lord is good. Paul deals with this in 1 Corinthians 7.

This is why God gave us marriage, for the prevention of uncleanness. I say this every time, but I'll say it again. Young men, when you go to ask your new bride's hand in marriage, this is the way to do it. I want to marry you for the prevention of uncleanness.

You will sweep her off her feet with romantic love and joy. Guarantee it. But notice what Solomon says in verse 18, the second R. Rejoice, let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

In other words, you shouldn't be going near the doors of other women's house. You should rejoice with the wife of your youth. That's what you're supposed to do. And then the fear of God arises in the third R in verse 21.

I suggest that this R is remember. So remove your way, rejoice in your wife, and remember that the Lord God Most High is omniscient. The Lord God Most High sees you. The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, beholding the good and the evil.

But I think suggestive here is this concept of the fear of God. You ought to be afraid in the presence of Almighty God to engage in sexual immorality. And then notice in Proverbs 8, verse 13, similar emphasis on the fear of the Lord affecting our actions. Proverbs 8, 13, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.

Proverbs 16, verse 6. In mercy and truth, atonement is provided for iniquity, and by the fear of the Lord, one departs from evil. Proverbs 19 and verse 23, the fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction. He will not be visited with evil.

There is a demonstration of this outside of the book of Proverbs in a real-life scenario. Perhaps I should have brought this forth in our consideration of Proverbs 5. But

Joseph: Fear of God in Practice

notice in Genesis 39, Genesis chapter 39, I suggest that this is what marked Joseph in Potiphar's house. In fact, as you read this narrative, you ought to see conspicuously the point. The point isn't that Joseph is a great guy, though Joseph was a great guy. But notice in Genesis 39 verse 2, Genesis 39 verse 21, and Genesis 39 verse 23, the Lord was with him.

How in the world could Joseph do what he did? Because the Lord was with him. Do you understand that she came on to him day by day? And sometimes people say, well, you just don't know what it's like to be tempted.

It's so difficult. Well, Joseph certainly knew what it was like, and he didn't give in. Joseph didn't just say, well, you know, I'm going to let go and let God deal with me later. No.

Notice in Genesis 39, specifically at verse 7, and it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, lie with me. But he refused and said to his master's wife, Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?

You see, the fear of God ought to affect our actions, and this is precisely what we see demonstrated in the life of Joseph. Turn to the New Testament, specifically 2 Corinthians 7. 2 Corinthians chapter 7, to underscore this point that the fear of God ought to affect our actions. Just backing up to 2 Corinthians chapter 6, at verse 16, because 7.1 really caps off what's going on in chapter 6. That's one of those chapter divisions or breaks that really breaks up the flow.

Notice in 2 Corinthians 2.16, and what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said, I will dwell in them. and walk among them, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Verse 1 in chapter 7, therefore, having these promises, what promises? The very promises he just stated, the very things he just mentioned, God dwells in them. God walks among them.

I will be their God. They shall be my people. The exhortation to come out from among them. Be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean. I will receive you. Verse 18, I will be a father to you. You shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

So the promises involve the fear of God. If we are rightly connected to God as Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, that assumes the presence of the fear of God. Paul then seizes upon that, capitalizes upon that, and drives home a further exhortation in verse 1. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

You see, these promises are foundational to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Because we have these promises, the exhortation follows. And this is specific to us as God's people, cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. So the fear of God affects our actions.

Fear of God Preserves the Soul

And the fourth proposition I want to set forth is the fear of God preserves our soul. The fear of God preserves our soul. Proverbs 14 and verse 27, The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to turn one away from the snares of death." And then, of course, Jeremiah 32. You can go back there just to see how the fear of God does preserve the soul of God's people.

So it's not some antiquated concept. It's not something that was simply confined to the Old Testament. You see this emphasis throughout the New Testament as well. We, as God's people, have been blessed by God who has put the fear of God into our hearts.

We are rightly connected to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but that must trickle down to the way that we think, the way that we function, and we must understand that it's this fear that does preserve our souls. Jeremiah 30, 240, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from doing them good. But I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will not depart from Me." The perseverance of the saints is relative to God's fear. The perseverance of the saints is relative to God having put the fear of God into our hearts, so that we will not or may not depart from Him.

See how important this concept is. It's not antiquated. It's not something confined to Old Covenant Israel. It is something operative in the people of God through all ages.

And it is imperative that we seek by the grace of God to cultivate this and to understand who our God is and who we are in relationship to Him.

Application: Individual Need for Fear

So in conclusion, the first place, the individual believer's need for the fear of God. We saw that in the pursuit of holiness, 2 Corinthians 7. You've got a holiness problem, you've probably got a fear of God problem. It's just that simple.

I'm just not making strides, I'm not making gains, I'm not godly, I'm not holy. Do you fear God? Well, you know, I used to hear about that in Little House on the Prairie, God-fearing Christians, but I didn't think that was for us today. It most certainly is for us today.

If you don't have the fear of God, you don't have God. You see, it's this implanted by God in the soul of a man, a woman, a boy, or girl. As well, the individual believers need for the fear of God. Philippians chapter 2, a similar passage, but one we ought to reflect on.

Philippians chapter 2, specifically verses 12 and 13. Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 and 13. 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. Isn't that a beautiful statement?

Notice he's not saying work for your salvation with fear and trembling. This is not a text that teaches us that man cooperates with God in order to be saved. You can only work out what God has graciously put in. The emphasis is you've been justified freely by his grace.

Now pursue sanctification. Be upright, be godly, be faithful. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. And then he goes on to highlight God's grace even in that, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure there in verse 13.

You see, brethren, the fear of God is requisite for the people of God so that they will indeed pursue holiness, so that they will indeed work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, and as well that fear of God is necessary because God most high is worthy of it. If Murray's right, and I believe that he is, if Gill is right, and I believe that he is, it is to esteem, it is to revere, and it is to honor the divine majesty. He is worthy of us to fear him. He is worthy for us to esteem him.

He is worthy for us to honor and adore him.

Helps to Cultivate the Fear of God

Secondly, just some helps to cultivate the fear of God. These are always difficult things to do because it almost sounds like the man presenting the helps is a guru who has somehow mastered them. No, but just some things in terms of reflection. It's always a practical help to get at least some ideas on what scripture says concerning the cultivation of a particular principle.

In the first place, as believers, we ought to realize that the absence of the fear of God is indicative of unbelievers. I think that's a helpful thing, Romans 3.18, there is no fear of God before their eyes. I don't want to be like that. I don't want to imitate them.

I don't want to be like the lawless. I don't want to be like the godless. I don't want to be like the unholy, but rather I want to seek by the grace of God to see that fear of the Lord grow. Secondly, we ought to realize that this indeed characterized our Savior according to His humanity.

In other words, this is something that Jesus Himself had. Notice in the prophet Isaiah in chapter 11. You know, oftentimes you see those bracelets. I don't know how popular they still are, but the WWJD, what would Jesus do?

He'd fear God. That's what he'd do. That's precisely what he would do. He would fear God.

Notice in Isaiah 11, verse one. There shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse. Again, we know that this is speaking according to Christ, according to his humanity. He is a rod from the stem of Jesse.

This is the Davidic line. This is the Messiah. This is Christ in his manhood. And a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. If you've got that little bracelet and it says WWJD, know this, Jesus would fear God. Thirdly, the consideration of God's attributes. In other words, who is God?

It's a great way to promote the fear of God. We might call them, instead of attributes, His perfections. We talked about this whole idea of attributes on Wednesday night when we looked at Solomon, or two Wednesday nights ago. when we looked at Solomon's dedication of the temple. Because before Solomon gets to petition, before Solomon says, God, I want your help with reference to adjudicating matters and civil affairs in Israel.

God, I want your help with reference to forgiveness for the whole host of ways we're gonna sin against you. Before Solomon ever gets to any petition, he spends time theologizing. He spends time rehearsing who God is. He spends time contemplating the attributes of God.

In fact, turn there to 1 Kings 8. We got plenty of time. No problem. First Kings Chapter 8.

The collective sigh just rose up in everybody's heart. First Kings Chapter 8. I think Solomon's prayer reflects Jesus, Lord's prayer, Jesus' prayer in Matthew chapter 6. God comes first.

Before we ask for food, forgiveness, and protection, the Lord Jesus teaches us to pray that God's name be hallowed, that God's kingdom come, and that God's will be done. I suggest the same thing is true in Solomon's prayer. Before he gets to particular petitions in verses 31 and following, He first adores God. Notice 1 Kings 8.22, and spread out his hands toward heaven.

And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like you, who keep your covenant and mercy with your servants, who walk before you with all their hearts. God's incomparable. There's no God like you, Solomon says. God is faithful.

That is a display of his incomparability. As I mentioned before, Baal doesn't care if you engage your mind. Baal doesn't care if you're consistent. Baal doesn't care to be consistent himself.

Baal is going to ebb and flow with the winds of change. It's not anything for Baal to change. But with reference to Yahweh, a proof of his incomparability is the reality that he keeps covenant, that he is merciful with his servants and those who walk before God with all their hearts. Notice in verse 24, he fleshes this out.

How is this the case? You have kept what you promised your servant David my father. You have both spoken with your mouth and fulfilled it with your hand as it is this day. Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what you promised your servant David my father, saying, You shall not fail to have a man sit before me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before me, as you have walked before me.

And now I pray, O God of Israel, let your word come true, which you have spoken to your servant David my father. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built." You see what he's doing here? He's rehearsing God's attributes.

He's rehearsing God's perfections. He is considering just who God is. This cultivates the fear of God. You see, it's the fear of God, right?

The more we know of this God, the more we understand of his attributes, for instance, Westminster Shorter Catechism, what is God? God is spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. In his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Allow that to take root in your mind and in your heart, and I hope the response is what we see with the disciples when they witness Jesus calm the sea and calm the wind, And it says that they were afraid.

In other words, when we come into the presence of this thrice holy God, when we contemplate His perfections, hopefully the net effect is going to be the cultivation of the fear of God. And then the fourth is continual belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Continual belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Psalm 130.

If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you that you may be feared. Isn't that beautiful? The fear of God promotes, or the forgiveness that God brings to his people. promotes the fear of God.

There is forgiveness with you that you may be feared. These are just some helps to get you at least hopefully thinking on the cultivation of the fear of God. It's an amazing thing what we pursue as God's people in this new covenant era and oftentimes give no concern whatsoever to some very basic and very fundamental concepts that have always marked and characterized the people of God. The fear of the Lord is something that is absolutely crucial.

Corporate Manifestation of Fear of God

And then finally, the corporate manifestation of the fear of God. In other words, how ought we to reflect this doctrine of the fear of God in the context of the local church? Well, I think in the first place, it manifests or it will manifest itself in a proper perspective. What's the church about in the first place?

It's God, isn't it? We have a very man-centered approach to church. What is designed there for my needs? Is the nursery fitting for my child?

And again, I'm not saying put your child in a spider-infested basement and watch them roll around with crazy insects. But we look at churches for what they give us. What are you gonna do for me? Mentioned before, people will call, so what do you have at your church?

What do you got? It's like a used car lot. You got a 72 Pinto. Do you have a, you know, 1990 Jetta?

It's kind of like that. That's the way people shop churches today. Well, they've got this, and they've got this, and they've got this, and they've got this, and they've got... Do they have God?

That ought to be our primary concern. It's about God most high. You see, when we come here on the Sabbath day, it is great to see one another. I mentioned last night, to come and be with the people of God is a great boon.

It's a great encouragement. It's a great blessing. But that's not the primary emphasis. Our primary focus when we enter into this place is to worship our triune God.

So I suspect and I believe that a proper fear of God manifested at the corporate level will see priorities right It's not man first, it's God first. As well, this fear of God will dictate and will control and will rule how we worship Him. In Hebrews chapter 12, specifically at verse 28. It says, 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.

You see, that is what a worship service ought to look like. A worship service ought not to be akin to Baalism. It ought not to be about emotion. It can be about emotion, again, if it's driven by an apprehension of the truth of God.

Then emotions follow, and that's wonderful. But emotions apart from the truth is more akin to Baal. That is precisely what characterized Baal worship. You know, this whole idea of entertainment, this whole idea of man-centeredness, this has more affinity with Baalism than the worship of the God of heaven and earth.

That ought to scare us. But the apostle says, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably. Who defines what acceptable worship is? Not us.

You see, you might want this, and I might want that, and I might want this, and you might want... That's not how we're supposed to tailor our worship services. We're to start with the crazy question, what does God want? What does God say?

What will best glorify the householder? Remember, Paul identifies the church as the house of God. When you come to my house, I like to think that you would abide by my rules and do those things that are acceptable in my house. If you say, well, that's just harsh and vicious, I just don't think you're tracking, because if I come to your house, you're going to want me to respect and esteem the rules of the house.

You don't want me to swing off the light fixtures. You don't want me to put my feet on your coffee table. You don't want me to, you know, pour drinks on your carpet. And I get that.

I esteem the householder. And yet when it comes to the church, we don't care what the householder says. We want bands. We want worship music.

We want, we want emotivity. We want, you know, all this stuff that's just designed to make us feel good. Now, if the truth makes us feel good, praise God. That's a blessed corollary.

The emphasis in our passage is on acceptable worship, and God defines what acceptable worship is. And note how the apostle ends his exhortation in verse 29, right out of Deuteronomy 4, for our God is a consuming fire. Why do you think he adds that? probably to say you need to fear Him. Our God is a consuming fire.

Don't play games with Him. Don't render unacceptable worship to Him, but rather obey Him, fear Him, honor Him, revere Him, respect the divine majesty, which is God, and worship accordingly. Well, brethren, those are some thoughts with reference to the fear of the Lord. If you're not a believer tonight, the way to fear God is through the cross of Jesus Christ, that Christ I mentioned earlier, who lived and who died and who was raised the third day.

That Christ is the only Savior, the only one who is able to deliver you from your sins, from the wrath and judgment of God most high, and the only one by which you will ever achieve this fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of life. this fear of the Lord which affects the thinking of God's people, this fear of the Lord which affects the conduct of God's people, and this fear of the Lord that does indeed preserve the soul. Well, let us pray.

Closing Prayer

Our Father, we thank You for Your Word, and we thank You for this fear of God, and we know it was by grace that You taught us to fear. We acknowledge that, we give you the glory and the praise and help us to seek to cultivate even more in our lives and in our hearts a proper esteem and respect and an awe of our great God. And may our church and our worship services reflect such a position and may we render acceptable worship, not acceptable to what man wants, but acceptable to what God has commanded. And we pray that you'd go with us now, watch over us in this coming week, guard your people and our hearts, our minds, our thoughts, and keep us and preserve us.

And we pray these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Scripture References

• Genesis 39:2; 39:7; 39:21; 39:23
• Exodus 20:18; 20:20
• Deuteronomy 4:24; 6:5
• 1 Kings 8:22; 8:24
• Psalm 130:3-4
• Proverbs 1:7; 2:5; 3:7; 5:8; 5:18; 5:21; 8:13; 9:10; 14:26; 14:27; 15:33; 16:6; 19:23
• Isaiah 11:1
• Jeremiah 32:36; 32:40
• Matthew 6:9-13
• Romans 1:18; 3:10-18; 8:7
• 1 Corinthians 2:16; 7
• 2 Corinthians 5:14; 6:16; 7:1
• Philippians 2:12-13
• 2 Timothy 3:1
• 2 Peter 3:18
• Hebrews 12:28-29