Fear God

Fear God

Introduction
Our beginning text this morning comes from a familiar passage in Matthew 10:28: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus taught that fear of God is essential. The psalmist described it in Psalm 119:120: “My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.” Moses warned Israel in Deuteronomy 6:10–15 that losing the fear of God would bring destruction. True fear of God means reverence, awe, and respect for His greatness, as well as trembling at His power and His judgments.

Examples of Fearing God
From the beginning, Adam and Eve feared God after they sinned (Genesis 3:10). They hid because they knew they had disobeyed. In Acts 5, the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira filled the church with great fear, showing God’s holiness and intolerance of deceit. Paul told Timothy that elders who sin must be rebuked before all so that others may fear (1 Timothy 5:19–20). In Revelation 11:15–18, those who fear God’s name, both small and great, are honored at the final judgment. Acts 2:42 records that fear came upon every soul after Pentecost, emphasizing that awe and reverence marked the church from its beginning.

Where a Lack of Fear Leads
Romans 3:9–18 shows that when people lack the fear of God, their lives are filled with unrighteousness, deceit, bitterness, and violence. Paul warned Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 that in the last days people would love themselves, money, and pleasure, while rejecting holiness, self-control, and truth. Without the fear of God, people abandon righteousness and live in corruption.

What Proper Fear Produces
Fear of the Lord motivates us to turn away from evil (Proverbs 16:6). It produces a clean heart (Psalm 19:9) and makes us pure before God. Paul wrote that holiness is perfected in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). Fear also moves us to teach the lost. Knowing the terror of the Lord, Paul said, “We persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:10–11). Philippians 2:12 reminds us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Proper fear keeps us humble, holy, and faithful.

Conclusion
The wisest conclusion ever written is found in Ecclesiastes 12:13–14: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Psalm 2:10 urges us to serve the Lord with fear and trembling, and Philippians 2:12 repeats that we must continue in reverence as we live out our salvation. Hebrews 12:25–29 warns us to serve God with reverence and godly fear, for “our God is a consuming fire.” If we understand the fear of the Lord, we will tell the truth and urge others to obey. The only way to enter the kingdom is to be born of water and the Spirit.

Fear God Sermon Outline:

Introduction

• Matthew 10:28 – Jesus teaches to fear God above all.

• Psalm 119:120 – Fear includes trembling at His judgments.

• Deuteronomy 6:10–15 – Moses warns Israel not to lose the fear of God.

I. Examples of Fearing God

• Adam and Eve feared God after sin (Genesis 3:10).

• Ananias and Sapphira’s sin produced great fear in the church (Acts 5:1–11).

• Public rebuke produces fear among others (1 Timothy 5:19–20).

• Fear is tied to judgment and reverence (Revelation 11:15–18).

• Fear marked the early church after Pentecost (Acts 2:42).

II. Where a Lack of Fear Leads

• Romans 3:9–18 – Sin, deceit, violence, and no peace.

• 2 Timothy 3:1–5 – Self-love, pride, unholiness, lack of self-control.

• A life without fear of God descends into immorality and corruption.

III. What Proper Fear Produces

• Proverbs 16:6 – Fear leads us to depart from evil.

• Psalm 19:9 – Fear produces purity and a clean heart.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 – Fear perfects holiness.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10–11 – Fear motivates us to persuade men.

• Philippians 2:12 – Fear drives us to work out our salvation.

Conclusion

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

• Psalm 2:10 – Serve with fear and trembling.

• Philippians 2:12 – Work out salvation with reverence.

• Hebrews 12:25–29 – Serve God with reverence and fear; He is a consuming fire.

Call to Action
God’s Word makes it clear: fearing Him is essential. It shapes our lives, directs our actions, and prepares us for judgment. Today is the time to examine your life. Do you truly fear God? If not, you must change. Be born again through water and the Spirit, confess your sins, and live in holiness. Fear God, and let that fear move you to obedience.

Key Takeaways

• Fear of God is central to true obedience (Matthew 10:28).

• Fear includes trembling at His judgments (Psalm 119:120).

• Lack of fear produces unrighteousness (Romans 3:18).

• Fear motivates holiness and purity (2 Corinthians 7:1; Psalm 19:9).

• Fear leads us to teach and persuade others (2 Corinthians 5:11).

• Life’s ultimate duty: Fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 10:28 – Fear Him who can destroy soul and body.

• Psalm 119:120 – Fear includes trembling at His judgments.

• Deuteronomy 6:10–15 – Israel warned to fear God.

• Genesis 3:10 – Adam and Eve hid in fear after sin.

• Acts 5:1–11 – Ananias and Sapphira’s sin brought great fear.

• 1 Timothy 5:19–20 – Public rebuke produces fear.

• Revelation 11:15–18 – Those who fear God will be rewarded.

• Acts 2:42 – Fear was present in the early church.

• Romans 3:9–18 – Lack of fear leads to evil lives.

• 2 Timothy 3:1–5 – Without fear, people live ungodly lives.

• Proverbs 16:6 – Fear causes us to depart from evil.

• Psalm 19:9 – Fear produces purity.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 – Fear perfects holiness.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10–11 – Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.

• Philippians 2:12 – Work out salvation with fear and trembling.

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

• Psalm 2:10 – Serve God with fear and trembling.

• Hebrews 12:25–29 – Serve God with reverence and fear; He is a consuming fire.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO