WALKING IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Acts 2:42-43 (NKJV) – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Acts 2:43a (NKJV) – A deep sense of awe came over them all.
Phobos can mean fear in a negative sense, but it can also mean awe, reverence, respect.
Acts 5:11 (NKJV) – So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Acts 9:31 (NKJV) – Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
1. UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD
John Bevere – It is not being scared of God and therefore withdrawing from Him.
John Bevere – To fear God is to reverence and be in complete awe of Him.
Psalm 33:8 (NKJV) – Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
Isaiah 6:1-3 (NKJV) – In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His Glory.
Isaiah 6:4-5 (NKJV) – And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
Isaiah 6:6-8 (NKJV) – Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged.” Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) – The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV) – But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
John Wesley – Give me 100 men who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I can change the world.
A sense of overwhelming awe and reverence in the Presence of an all-Holy God which leads to hatred of sin, deep repentance, and a heart of obedience.
2. CHOOSE TO WALK IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Acts 9:31 (ESV) – So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
a. Cry out to God for it.
Matthew 7:11 (NKJV) – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.
b. Read the Word of God about it.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
c. Meditate on it.
Psalm 1:2 (NKJV) – But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night.
d. Believe God for miracles.
Acts 19:17 (NKJV) – This became known both to Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
e. Repent of not walking in it.
Acts 3:19 (NKJV) – Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
f. Obey the Word of God and the Voice of God.
Isaiah 66:2b (NKJV) – But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.
3. RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS AND BENEFITS OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD.
a. The fear of the Lord brings the blessing of God.
Psalm 115:13 (NKJV) – He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.
b. The fear of the Lord helps us stand against sin and evil.
Proverbs 16:6 (NKJV) – By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
c. The fear of the Lord leads to wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10a (NKJV) – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
d. The fear of the Lord brings the blessing of God on future generations.
Deuteronomy 5:29 (NKJV) – Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever.
e. The fear of the Lord brings protection.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.
f. The fear of the Lord brings close friendship with God.
Proverbs 25:14 (ESV) – The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and He makes known to them His covenant.
Psalm 86:11b (NKJV) – Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.
Discussion Questions
1. Does the topic of the fear of the Lord bring fear to your heart? Why or why not?
2. Have you had an encounter with the Holy Presence of God that brought you into a sense of awe and reverence?
3. Does the Biblical call to holiness seem impossible to you?
4. How does God’s grace not only bring us into forgiveness, but also help us grow in holiness?
5. Which of the benefits of walking in the fear of the Lord most speaks to you?
6. Would you be willing to ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in the fear of the Lord?
