WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.260 So, allow me, if I may, just to open with a quiz. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:33.820 While I preach, God's people should do what? 00:00:34.760 --> 00:00:35.600 Pray. 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:42.579 And listen, it's a multitasking opportunity. 00:00:42.579 --> 00:00:57.299 And I trust that you will continue in that habit and that biblically informed pattern for the remainder of your lives. 00:00:58.820 --> 00:01:04.920 I sat on the front this morning, and it has been my habit. 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:10.920 I have never come to this pulpit without a certain amount of trepidation. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:21.340 I've often thought to myself, if the time would come that I would no longer have a little amount of anxiety at the approach to the pulpit, 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:23.719 that I probably should go sell used cars. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:36.359 The thing that has remained a consolation for me in those moments is a thing that I remind myself of. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:38.319 It's this. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:43.979 I believe in the sufficiency and the authority of the Word of God. 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:47.379 That's what I'm here to preach. 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:52.579 I believe in the efficacy. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:56.299 That's a fancy word for the effectiveness of the praying of God's people. 00:01:56.599 --> 00:01:57.640 That's your part. 00:01:57.640 --> 00:02:02.640 And I believe in the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:06.519 That being said, let's pray and dig in. 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:07.519 Amen. 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:08.519 Amen. 00:02:08.519 --> 00:02:15.560 Our gracious Father, this morning we are thankful that you have given to us your Word. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:20.800 Lord, you have given to us eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:24.599 You have given to us the indwelling Spirit. 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:32.520 And this morning we as your people are here depending upon you to work in our hearts, 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:39.319 to hear, to frame our thinking, and to effect our living for the glory of God. 00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:52.699 And we, in advance of that work, declare that we trust you and give you credit for what you will do even this morning in and through us. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:55.319 And we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:02:55.979 --> 00:02:56.259 Amen. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:04.240 Well, the end of the year is an interesting moment in a church's time and in our time. 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:15.939 And it's appropriate for us to kind of stop and think, okay, so what are some thoughtful things that we can glean from this text in relationship to the time we find ourselves in? 00:03:16.040 --> 00:03:20.879 And I'd like us to look at several different passages this morning to kind of frame our thinking. 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:26.820 First, I want you to turn in your Bible to 1 Samuel 7, verse 12. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:39.259 1 Samuel 7, verse 12, finds the nation of Israel at a very interesting moment in their history. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:49.479 1 Samuel, actually the book of Joshua and Judges and 1 Samuel, if you kind of give yourself a little bit of a history quiz, 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:54.219 you would have to admit is not one of the brightest moments in Israel's life. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:04:02.259 If anything, you kind of follow the pattern of Israel and you recognize that the songwriter put it well, 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:05.919 prone to wonder, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. 00:04:06.139 --> 00:04:12.900 And you track the history of Israel and you find kind of up and down, up and down from one crisis to another 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:15.780 and just kind of floundering spiritually in many cases. 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:25.519 In this instance, the nation had struggled for quite some time and eventually they'd ended up in a real conundrum 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:30.420 and they'd cried out and asked Samuel to pray for them and following his prayer, 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:35.519 the nation had received a great victory over their enemies, the Philistines. 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:41.920 And in that context, we find that Samuel sets up a stone of remembrance. 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:44.500 And here's what he says there in verse 12. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:50.180 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer. 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:55.860 How many of you remember singing the song, Here I Put or State My Ebenezer? 00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:56.459 Remember that? 00:04:56.519 --> 00:05:02.259 How many of you are old enough before they changed it in the hymn book and nobody could know what Ebenezer was 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:06.560 and so they wrote it out, Stone of Remembrance, okay? 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:15.259 And so here is Samuel saying, this stone we're going to set up and we're going to call it Ebenezer. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:16.120 Why is that? 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:20.379 There in the text it tells us, Till now the Lord has helped us. 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:25.060 And what Samuel was doing in that case was he was... 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:32.240 Someone, get me a glass of water, please. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:32.659 Thank you. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:34.800 I am going to cough and drive myself nuts. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:36.740 I don't know about you, but it wasn't planned. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:37.939 Thank you, Donna. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.120 So here we are. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:46.699 Israel is reminding themselves of what they had received in the way of blessing. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:51.300 And I'd like us to kind of take that thought from 1 Samuel and carry it over 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:54.759 and think a little bit about what God has done in 17. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:56.159 It's behind us. 00:05:56.500 --> 00:06:00.540 For all practical purposes, less than 24 hours from now, we're going to be in a new year. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:07.580 And it's appropriate for us as we kind of think about what God has done to kind of track some of the particulars. 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:12.319 And I want to say in advance that I'm not going to cover all the things that God has done in our fellowship. 00:06:13.140 --> 00:06:19.439 But it is appropriate for us to stop and think of some of the things that He has helped us to accomplish. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:27.460 For one, I walked down our 200 wing this morning and looked at the lights. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:32.379 And I have to tell you, I thought to myself I was on a runway. 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:38.359 Someone popped through the doors in the Sunday school wing, and I could actually see their face. 00:06:38.419 --> 00:06:42.719 It's the first time in 31 years that I could see from one end of the hall to the other. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:45.039 And it's like, Stephanie, that's you. 00:06:46.159 --> 00:06:46.959 It's amazing. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:54.479 And I actually stopped and thought about the blessings of watching this fellowship for the last several years go through the remodel process. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:07:02.180 Now, there are some of you here that don't remember the paneling that we cherish for about 31 years in the lobby. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:15.819 But I walked in this morning, and I looked around, and I thought, man, there are so many things that we are thankful for that have happened because of God's people working together 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:23.579 and prompted by a desire to make things right, we're seeing progressive improvements in many different areas. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:25.159 And I want to say thank you. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:26.939 Thank you very much, Donna, for that. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:29.600 That's a servant's heart. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.180 You know what? 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:31.879 Thank you for that. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:39.360 There used to be a bottle here, but someone has absconded with it. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.620 Was that you, Seth? 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:44.000 Okay, just checking. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:47.120 Kathy said no, so I believe it. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:50.639 Okay. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:55.500 But it's appropriate for us to say thank you to the Lord for what he's done. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:08:03.220 I have to tell you another little thing that I'm tickled pink with is in our bulletin this morning, 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:07.580 if you notice our bulletin on the back, it says caring for your children. 00:08:08.200 --> 00:08:12.700 There are no blanks in that, and there haven't been any blanks for quite some time. 00:08:13.020 --> 00:08:15.940 You may not think that's very important, but it is. 00:08:17.580 --> 00:08:19.140 And I'm thankful for that. 00:08:19.760 --> 00:08:22.260 And I don't mind saying thank you to Jesus for it, right? 00:08:22.940 --> 00:08:31.180 It's a blessing that people that have gifts and determination have worked to bring some of these things about. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:41.440 It's just neat to see the way in which God has helped our fellowship serve so willingly across such a wide scope of things. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.740 I realize that this morning there's snow that we didn't plan on. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:56.879 But I have to tell you, yesterday there were seven or eight different people here that were helping clear the snow, volunteers. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:01.600 Just clearing it privately, quietly, without any fanfare. 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:09.659 And coming again this morning, in fact, I am tasked as part of my job of building the grounds or whatever else. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:14.939 I would take care of snow on Sundays, and it's normally when I'm not preaching, it's fairly easy. 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:18.960 But when I'm preaching, I'd prefer not focusing on snow and the sermon. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:20.820 Two S's at the same time. 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:24.040 Someone said, Pastor, I've got it covered. 00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:25.640 You don't worry about it. 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:29.680 And sure enough, cared for, and I appreciate that. 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:30.900 So many different things. 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:35.640 The way in which you as a fellowship, prompted by the Spirit of God, 00:09:36.060 --> 00:09:41.560 willingly serve across the wide range without a lot of duress and pressure. 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:46.179 I look back over the summer ministry that our fellowship had. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:50.039 I think about VBS. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:56.179 And by the way, I don't think it's too early to say that VBS is coming in 18, Lord willing, 00:09:56.699 --> 00:10:01.479 and there's already work that is going on in putting the artistic part together. 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:05.279 All hands on deck type of thing. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.939 We're working on it. 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:08.460 But I think about VBS. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:10.100 I think about youth missions trip. 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.920 I think about TLC. 00:10:12.260 --> 00:10:17.940 And I look in retrospect and really am thankful for the fact that our senior pastor-elect, 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:23.000 Pastor Shearer, God kind of opened up the opportunity for him to just be directly involved 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:25.820 in so much of what was happening in our youth ministry. 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:30.880 And it's been a blessing to us to have his involvement, his leadership in that. 00:10:30.900 --> 00:10:32.940 And we're blessed, blessed, blessed by that. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:37.100 I look also at what has happened this year in neighboring. 00:10:38.520 --> 00:10:43.720 And I have to tell you that I really appreciate the tenor and spirit with which we've approached 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.640 the matter of neighboring. 00:10:45.260 --> 00:10:50.340 And instead of taking it as just a single event that we're going to do this and done, 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:53.980 it's kind of being woven into our fiber and our thinking. 00:10:54.140 --> 00:10:55.440 It's a matter of our prayer life. 00:10:55.760 --> 00:11:01.100 It's something that engages us in serving the people that we're around on a regular basis, 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:05.960 not for the sake of an incident, but for the sake of the heart of Christ and caring for 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:06.519 other people. 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:12.440 I'm encouraged when I hear the fellowship talking about neighboring, not as something that they're 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:15.920 kind of beating their chest on, but it's just part of their life and their interest. 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:17.420 And that's progress. 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:25.039 I am encouraged to see that the issue of neighboring has not been driven towards, 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:31.019 I want one single opportunity to share the gospel, and after that, I check the box and move on. 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:36.639 Now, I've got to tell you, if you don't know me, you should know that I care about having an 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:38.299 opportunity to talk to people about Christ. 00:11:38.959 --> 00:11:42.179 But it's not to be a once-and-done event. 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:47.919 It's something that the ongoing love for people draws us into giving us the opportunities for 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:48.259 that. 00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:53.519 I have to tell you, I look back across this last month in particular, and I think about 00:11:53.519 --> 00:12:00.000 the Christmas program and the wonderful ministry that our fellowship had with music and weaving 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:05.919 the gospel in in such a clear and pronounced way throughout the entire program, bringing it 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:11.139 together and just making Christ and the gospel stand out clearly. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:18.539 The luncheon, over 60 people, I think, attended that and very thankful for that. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:23.600 And I think it's the first year we kind of push at that, but I look forward to us continuing 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:26.480 to make progress in that and very thankful for that. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:32.799 It's very interesting for us to recognize that we are about seven months away from the conclusion 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:34.179 of our transition period. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:39.120 And I remember actually beginning the planning for that about eight years ago. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.279 It's hard for us to think about that far back. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:48.139 But there were those that began thinking about this that far back, and we slowly moving towards 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:48.419 that. 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:54.320 I can tell you with confidence that God has had His hand in this facet and this movement, 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:57.860 and it's a blessing to see it happening the way it has. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:06.019 We are a week away from having a candidate come to serve, or at least be considered to serve 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:07.519 on our pastoral staff. 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:11.840 And I know that in the last year, we've been praying and praying and praying for God to 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.720 provide the right man. 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:18.720 And here we are, again, thanking Him for His hand and His provision and His direction. 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:27.419 And so here we are, looking back across the year, and it is right for us to do what Samuel 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:33.720 instructed the nation of Israel to do, namely, in setting up a stone and saying, hey, this is what 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:39.720 God has done, and this is how far He's brought us, and thanking Him for that. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:44.440 And I trust that as you walk away from here this morning, one of the things that will be on your 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:52.620 heart is a spirit of thanksgiving that you have been able to see God at work in a body of believers, 00:13:53.040 --> 00:13:58.440 producing the fruit of righteousness and producing ministry that is to His glory and to His name. 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:03.860 Now, I want to come to another passage that I want us to focus on, and turn over in your Bible, 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:10.860 if you would, to Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes chapter 12. 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.360 Ecclesiastes chapter 12. 00:14:17.540 --> 00:14:18.400 We look backwards. 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:26.780 Now, I want to come and focus on how do we look forward in a fundamental way and a very, 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.620 very simple way. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:33.720 Ecclesiastes chapter 12, if you will follow with me as I begin reading there in verse 10. 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:39.620 The preacher sought to find words of delight, and upright he wrote words of truth, and uprightly 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.620 he wrote words of truth. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:44.740 The words of the wise are like goads and like nails. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:50.240 Firmly fixed are the collected sayings, and they are given by one shepherd. 00:14:51.339 --> 00:14:51.860 Question. 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:55.459 How many of you have been goaded before? 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:59.600 Raise your hand if you have been goaded. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:03.360 How many of you know what a goad is? 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:08.319 A goad is something that you poke with. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:09.899 Okay? 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:13.600 You can goad sheep. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:16.259 You can goad cows. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:18.759 You can goad husbands. 00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:21.100 You can goad children. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.879 You can goad... 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.639 You get my point? 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:32.019 Goads are things that you use to sometimes gently move people in the direction they need 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.740 to go in. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:39.740 I mean, you remember what the Scripture says about Paul when he says, 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:45.419 it is hard for thee to kick against the goads, if you remember it in the King James, more or less. 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:49.519 The idea is that, hey, something's pushing you, prompting you in a certain direction. 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:55.440 And here it says, the words of the wise are like goads. 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.779 They're valuable. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.419 They're helpful. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:16:00.180 And they're like nails. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:03.120 What you hang things on and depend upon. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:05.759 Now, look, if you will, in verse 12. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:10.159 My son, beware of anything beyond these, of making many books. 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.080 There is no end. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:15.500 And much study is a weariness of the flesh. 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.399 Now we come to 13. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:21.919 The end of the matter all has been heard. 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:28.159 Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:34.579 I want us to think this morning about the importance of believers focusing on Him. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.799 Focusing on Him. 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:42.799 Here we are at the very end of a very broad survey put together by Solomon relating to the issues of life. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:48.339 And he is bringing things down to the absolutely essential matters. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:17:01.879 I remember literally decades ago when the holiday season was graced by just about only one bowl game, right? 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:04.180 Remember the Rose Bowl and that was pretty much it. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:07.000 And you had one channel to watch it on. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.779 And now how many Rose Bowls are there? 00:17:09.840 --> 00:17:11.200 I mean, how many bowl games are there? 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:16.980 I remember looking the other day and I thought, you know, I could kill myself watching all these football games. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.960 It's just too much. 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:20.720 I did watch one, though, last week. 00:17:20.879 --> 00:17:27.779 And I remember watching in particular as a receiver ran a perfect route. 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:34.980 The blockers in front of him made perfect blocks and opened up a lane for him to run as soon as he caught the ball. 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:38.799 And Barrett threw a perfect strike. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:42.519 It was coming right at his numbers. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.299 And he made one fatal flaw. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.019 Do you know what it was? 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:51.619 Before he caught the ball, he planned where he was going. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:54.519 And you could see his eyes shift and look down the field. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.299 He took his eyes off the ball. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:18:01.039 And as a result, when the ball got there, his eyes weren't focused on the ball and he dropped it. 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:04.039 I mean, it was an easy play. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:06.940 And he failed at the essential thing. 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:15.460 And I bring that up because here is a very simple statement about an absolutely essential spiritual truth. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:21.539 I'm not going to give you a Bible survey about the fundamental value of fearing God. 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:23.980 You can do that later in your own studies. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:28.079 But I want you to understand that fearing God is fundamental for us in our walk. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:35.700 I do want us to recognize on a negative aspect that true God fear, godly fear, is not just a habit or a ritual. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.159 I want you to look at Isaiah. 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:41.819 Keep your finger there in Ecclesiastes and turn over to Isaiah just for a moment. 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:47.179 Isaiah 29, verse 13. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:55.500 Isaiah 29, verse 13. 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.539 And the Lord said, 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:04.299 Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips while their hearts are far from me, 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:08.839 and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:09.639 Okay? 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:12.240 So here is something that I want you to recognize. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:19.940 It's very easy for us to kind of pick up the vocabulary of fearing God and even go through the motions 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:24.880 and not have it make any difference whatsoever in our daily life. 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:28.680 Some of you grew up in liturgical churches. 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:31.960 And by that I mean churches where everything was ritualized. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:37.120 When you walked into the sanctuary, there were certain things you had to do. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.559 You would genuflect. 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:41.319 You would dip your hand and put water on your head or whatever. 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:43.399 It was all a matter of ritual. 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.459 One thing after another. 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:46.079 It was all taught. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:50.699 Read from a book of prayer, and there was a time to kneel. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.699 There was a time to stand. 00:19:52.219 --> 00:19:55.319 Everything was kind of packaged together, and it was taught. 00:19:55.319 --> 00:20:03.619 You know, it's easy for us to get caught up in some of the same habits here as believers who know Christ 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:10.480 and yet can kind of let our relationship kind of become just a matter of habit and ritual 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:14.799 rather than a sincere and intimate communion with the living God. 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:18.279 You can sometimes show up and just be sad. 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.579 Well, I went. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:22.139 Did it make any difference in your life? 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:27.240 Are you different as a result of hearing the Word of God and worshiping with God's people 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.579 and being in His presence? 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.240 Maybe not. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:34.480 Let me give you a classic illustration of something else that can become just mere habit. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.779 What about praying for food? 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:42.480 How many of you pray fairly consistently for your food if it's over 50 cents? 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:47.319 I know if you're eating fries at McDonald's, you don't have to. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.380 It's a value meal, right? 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:52.099 But we have certain lines that, you know, okay, we've got it here. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:58.440 But really, sometimes we become just caught up in a habit, 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:01.220 and it's not really making any connection that we're saying, 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:03.860 you know, Lord, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have this. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.740 And I'm thankful for it. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:15.099 But we can very easily become very habitual in our practice of faith, 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:20.339 and we can go through the routine, and it's just a matter of habit 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:22.099 rather than an affection of the heart. 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:28.839 And so here we find that Ecclesiastes is telling us we've got to fear God. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:33.039 And I'm telling you this morning that fearing God is not just a matter of habit, 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:38.720 but it's a discipline of the heart that thinks carefully and seriously about who God is 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:41.960 on a consistent basis. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:48.220 So when we think about fearing God properly, what does that involve? 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:55.940 Well, for one thing, it means that we do give other people good reason to trust us. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:22:00.420 I want you to turn back in your Bibles just for a moment to Genesis chapter 48, 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:04.539 42 rather, 42 verse 18. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:07.720 We find there in Genesis chapter 42, 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:12.420 Joseph interacting with his brothers, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:18.640 and you'll remember that Joseph's brothers had been rather unkind to Joseph, 00:22:18.820 --> 00:22:25.220 and now they are living with a high degree of anxiety that payback is imminent. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:30.680 They're afraid he, remembering the way they had treated him, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.920 he's now going to get even with them. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:36.220 But listen to what he says there to comfort their hearts. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.940 42 verse 18. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:42.299 On the third day, Joseph said to them, 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:46.340 Do this and you will live, for I fear God. 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:50.740 What a summary he was giving them of his life. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:56.519 You do not have to worry about the way I'm going to treat you. 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.279 Why? 00:22:58.620 --> 00:23:01.380 I fear God. 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.519 I fear God. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.819 And the outflow is this, 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:10.500 is that when we have a right view of God, 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:13.160 the people that are around us 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:15.400 don't have a reason to be afraid of us, 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:18.240 do not have a reason to distrust us, 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:21.640 because we, in our relationship with God, 00:23:21.780 --> 00:23:25.180 are going to treat them the way we should. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:25.660 Why? 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.220 Because God's there. 00:23:28.840 --> 00:23:31.600 What in particular does it mean to fear God? 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:34.200 I want you to ask yourself that question just for a moment. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.460 Do you know what it means to fear God? 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:39.420 Well, let me give you a couple different things to hold on to. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:42.220 For one, it means to have a sense of his presence. 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:46.079 It means to have a sense of his presence. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:52.640 When was the last time that you found yourself tempted to do something 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:58.799 and looked around to see if anybody was going to see you do it? 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.079 You ever do that? 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:05.000 You're thinking about doing something, 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:11.259 and one of the things that you do in factoring in the probability of you doing it, 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.680 is you kind of like, 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:14.180 I wonder, is anybody going to see me do this? 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:18.240 What you're reflecting on is that you're wondering 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.539 whether or not you're going to get caught 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:21.000 or whether there are any consequences. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:23.680 And when we fear God, 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:25.720 we have a sense of his presence, 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:29.440 and that colors our thinking consistently. 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.839 I'll give you an illustration of that. 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:35.519 Children, younger ones in particular, 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:37.160 more readily observed in this, 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:42.720 can be a little nasty to each other 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:45.000 in the absence of parents. 00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:45.940 How many of you noticed that? 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.920 You as parents are upstairs, 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:50.759 and something's going on in the basement, 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:53.640 and you can hear the conversations, right? 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:57.560 And they're being a little sarcastic, 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.640 a little critical, a little sharp, 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:02.400 and then all you do is let them know 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.759 that you can hear them, 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.860 and what happens? 00:25:06.520 --> 00:25:07.620 They have an epiphany. 00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:09.480 They have a change of heart. 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:12.620 They're suddenly softer and kinder in their tone. 00:25:13.280 --> 00:25:14.480 Oh, I... 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:14.820 Why? 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.500 They know you're present. 00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:21.360 And the characteristic of a person who fears God 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:24.660 is that there is a consistent sense 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:26.700 that God is present, 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:28.000 and you know he's there. 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:29.340 You know he's there. 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.620 Furthermore, 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.400 a fear of God 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:37.060 is a reflection of a biblical view of God, 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.400 and it's informed by Scripture. 00:25:38.560 --> 00:25:38.980 In other words, 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:40.660 I know who God is, 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:42.860 and I believe in him 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:44.920 because of what I have been told 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.620 by the Scriptures. 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:49.519 That means that our thinking 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.700 has been influenced 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:52.440 and led 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:54.740 by what the Bible tells us 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.400 about our God. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.640 Let me give you some of the things 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:59.420 that we all here together 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.220 would hold on to 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.600 and say, 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.620 in principle, 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:03.080 we entirely agree with 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:04.940 that God is sovereign. 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:07.259 He's in control of all things. 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.660 It's very interesting 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.880 that I hear people hold on 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:12.200 to Romans 8, verse 28 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:14.240 pretty consistently, 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:17.100 and yet they can get caught up 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:18.380 in a high degree of anxiety 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.840 when things aren't going their way. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:23.279 If God is sovereign, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.700 are there accidents 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.400 that he has completely neglected 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.420 to pay attention to, 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.660 and you are left 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.980 to your own devices, 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.539 and you are floundering 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.860 because he's not paying attention? 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:33.920 What's the answer? 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:34.900 No. 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:35.920 No. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:37.940 Furthermore, 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:40.120 if we believe that God is holy and just, 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:42.120 and he's tracking things, 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.640 is there a reason 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:45.279 that we need to become exercised 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:47.180 and demand judgment 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.819 and people be dealt with 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:50.679 according to proper pattern? 00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.359 I'll give you an illustration. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.099 The other day, 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:55.639 I was driving, 00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:56.859 actually coming back 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.480 from West Jefferson 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.819 with the snowblower 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.700 in the back of my truck 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.879 because I was going to clean 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.460 the lot here, 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:05.339 and there was an individual 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.480 driving down the road 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.759 at a very rapid pace, 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.619 came up right behind me, 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:12.000 and I could see his irritation 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.919 in the rear view mirror. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.559 And I thought, 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.079 well, you know, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.839 the appropriate thing for me to do 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.959 was just pull over to the side 00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:19.779 and let him pass me. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.059 I mean, 00:27:22.199 --> 00:27:23.239 he was in a hurry, 00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.959 and I didn't want to lose 00:27:24.959 --> 00:27:26.119 the snowblower out the back 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.899 or around whatever, 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.379 and I thought, 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.239 you know, 00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:29.639 the righteous thing 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.599 would be just to get over, 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:32.519 and I was not irritated. 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.299 I pulled over, 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.579 didn't wave, 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.480 I just pulled over 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.019 to the side of the road, 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.859 put my blinker on, 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.619 good driver, 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.019 you know, 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.900 put my blinker on, 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.480 got over the road, 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.799 and he zips around me. 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:42.980 I mean, 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.799 it was snowing, 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.000 you know, 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.139 but good tires, 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.519 I guess. 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.920 He zipped around me, 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:48.299 and the next thing he did 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:48.720 was he gave him 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.379 the hand signals. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.619 And I thought to myself, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:56.180 where are the officers 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.900 when you need them? 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.839 And then I thought to myself, 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:02.639 that's God's problem, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.379 it's not mine. 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.720 You know, 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.919 if we believe 00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:07.980 that God is sovereign 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.099 and God is just 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:09.759 and we believe 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.399 that he's holy, 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.899 it should play out 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.439 in the way 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:13.879 in which practical theology 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.959 leads us to behave 00:28:14.959 --> 00:28:16.119 when things don't happen 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.579 our way, 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:16.899 right? 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.819 His justice, 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.699 his grace, 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.720 his love, 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.240 his immutability. 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:27.619 And to fear God 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:29.899 is to think consciously 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.280 and deliberately 00:28:31.280 --> 00:28:33.280 about the nature of God 00:28:33.280 --> 00:28:35.480 regularly in our life 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:37.680 and let it have a part 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.180 in the way in which 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:41.160 we structure our daily living 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.240 and our attitudes. 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.519 A sure reflection 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:48.960 that we do not have 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:50.160 a right view of God 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:53.140 is that when we allow anxiety 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:55.820 to occupy the same space 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:57.080 that belongs to him 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.319 and we confess 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.799 is part of trusting him. 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.259 Or, 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:03.000 a self-righteous insistence 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.779 on our own glory 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.919 and having things 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.460 our way 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.639 and easily offended. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.359 Well, 00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:09.139 there's another thing 00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:10.079 that is an indication 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.000 of our genuine fear 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.359 of God 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.500 and that is a strong desire 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.199 to please him. 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:15.279 Not out of a fear 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.399 of being punished, 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.759 but out of a desire 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:20.059 to satisfy 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.960 and please him. 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.119 Martin Luther, 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:24.039 in one of his 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.220 exhortations 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.900 on the subject 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.720 of the fear of God, 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.960 made a distinction 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.600 between, 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.339 I'm going to use 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.539 a little fancy word here, 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.539 servile, 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:33.620 kind of a serving 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:35.059 fearfulness of judgment, 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.039 servile fear 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.039 and filial 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.960 or fatherly fear. 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.579 He said that 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.519 godly fear 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.000 is a fear 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.940 that is interested 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.460 in pleasing God 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.680 and satisfying God, 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.059 not a fear 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.160 of his judgment 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.220 and his condemnation. 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.579 Over in 1 John, 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:49.860 it says, 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.140 first, 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.299 his love, 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.900 perfect love, 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.740 casts out fear. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.299 It's saying that 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.039 our relationship 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.599 with him 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.759 tamps down 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.299 that fear 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.980 of judgment. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.859 We know, 00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.900 as it says 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:00.579 in Romans 8, 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.900 there's no condemnation 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.279 to them 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.160 who are in Christ Jesus. 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.880 We have no reason 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.480 to fear him. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.059 And so, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.960 what does 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:09.620 a fear of God 00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:11.400 do for the believer's heart? 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.259 For one, 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.920 it tells us in Proverbs 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.980 that it is the beginning 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.579 of wisdom. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.160 It is the beginning 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.640 of wisdom. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.620 And you stop 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:20.960 and think, 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.839 just how valuable 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.359 is wisdom? 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:24.379 Can you put 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.639 a dollar amount 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:27.439 on the value 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:28.000 of wisdom? 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:28.619 Let me give you 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.319 some illustrations 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.699 that help you 00:30:30.699 --> 00:30:31.219 do that. 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.240 Several weeks ago, 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.979 I was involved 00:30:33.979 --> 00:30:34.779 in helping 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.399 an individual 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:37.179 in a rather 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.839 difficult predicament. 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.519 And as we were 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.219 going through 00:30:43.219 --> 00:30:43.859 the process 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:45.579 of helping him, 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:47.099 it came down 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:48.359 to he needed help 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.879 with making 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.339 a payment 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.319 on a car 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.759 that was 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:52.259 three months behind. 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:54.759 doesn't have a job, 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.740 but he has a Lexus. 00:30:57.179 --> 00:30:58.079 You got that? 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:02.019 And the income 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.039 that has come in 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.599 sporadically 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.359 has gone to 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:07.659 pharmaceuticals 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.139 that are not 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.919 off the shelf. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.779 Now, 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.479 here's my point. 00:31:12.479 --> 00:31:13.879 Is there cost 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:15.839 to a lack of wisdom? 00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.759 And the answer is 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.879 there's high cost. 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:20.760 Here is the scripture 00:31:20.760 --> 00:31:21.740 that tells us 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.100 that fearing God 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:24.000 is the beginning 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.800 of wisdom. 00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:25.840 It helps, 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.940 when we fear God, 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.900 our hearts 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.600 and our lives 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.280 are governed 00:31:29.280 --> 00:31:30.560 by instruction 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.220 from him 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:32.340 and we don't drift 00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:32.820 to the left 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.280 or the right 00:31:33.280 --> 00:31:34.420 and we keep ourselves 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:34.920 in a place 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.480 of safety 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:35.980 with him. 00:31:38.540 --> 00:31:39.020 Furthermore, 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:41.600 a fear of God 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:42.560 opens our eyes 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.460 to see things 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.580 that we would not 00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:45.360 see apart 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.240 from a right view 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.660 of God. 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.500 Turn in your Bible 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:49.039 to Psalm 25, 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.299 verse 12 through 14. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:52.079 Psalm 25, 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.620 12 through 14. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.339 Fearing God 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:59.099 gives us 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.099 understanding 00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:00.779 that we would 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:02.180 not have otherwise. 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.700 Who is the man 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.880 who fears the Lord 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:18.140 him will he instruct 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:18.880 in the way 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:20.340 that he should choose. 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.040 His soul 00:32:22.040 --> 00:32:22.760 shall abide 00:32:22.760 --> 00:32:23.720 in well-being 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.780 and his offspring 00:32:24.780 --> 00:32:26.100 shall inherit the land. 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.080 The friendship 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:28.720 of the Lord 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.800 is for those 00:32:29.800 --> 00:32:30.500 who fear him 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.860 and he makes 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.840 known to them 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:34.020 his covenant. 00:32:35.300 --> 00:32:36.100 Stop and think 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:36.680 about what that 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.660 passage is saying 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.700 and its value 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.200 to us. 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.120 It says, 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.620 the man 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.720 who fears the Lord 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.760 is the one 00:32:42.760 --> 00:32:43.980 that God 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.779 is going 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.680 to instruct. 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.420 How does that 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:48.900 play out? 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:51.339 When we have 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:52.500 a right view 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.140 of God 00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:54.420 and we long 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.500 to know him, 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.819 our heart 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.940 is an open 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:59.120 vessel 00:32:59.120 --> 00:32:59.880 to receive 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.380 the truth 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:01.200 of who he is. 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:02.920 When we 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:04.059 in our stubbornness 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.839 and our resistance 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:06.400 have no interest 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:06.940 in God 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.860 and no fear 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.400 of God, 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.539 we're not going 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.240 to learn the things 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.259 he has for us. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.879 There are some 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.319 of you sitting 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.980 here this morning 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.519 that are thinking 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.039 to yourself, 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.200 why is it 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.440 that my relationship 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.039 with God 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.940 in 17 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:20.200 has not been 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.039 more vibrant 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.039 and marked 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.140 by greater growth? 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:25.119 Ask yourself 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:25.599 the question, 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.420 do I fear God? 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:29.200 Am I governed 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:30.119 in my thinking 00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:30.799 about God 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.819 by what the 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.779 scriptures tell me 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.759 is true about God 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:35.379 or am I demanding 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.339 that he be like 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.240 I want him to be, 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:39.279 kind of a guy 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:39.980 up there that gives 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.680 me what I want, 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.360 in any case, 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:41.980 in any case 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.940 that I have a desire? 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.440 I want us to 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.240 recognize that 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:46.820 a fear of God 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:47.680 also checks 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.320 our natural 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.240 selfishness, 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.039 our irritability, 00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:52.120 our pride. 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.400 A fear of God 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.360 checks 00:33:55.360 --> 00:33:56.660 our natural 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.560 selfishness, 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.440 our irritability, 00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.600 and pride. 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.440 Interestingly enough, 00:34:01.580 --> 00:34:02.460 I remember 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:04.380 a conversation 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.060 not too long ago 00:34:05.060 --> 00:34:05.660 with an individual 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.860 and I made the statement, 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:07.460 hey, I'm still 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.300 working on my pride. 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:10.100 The person 00:34:10.100 --> 00:34:10.700 looked at me, 00:34:11.100 --> 00:34:11.740 it wasn't in our 00:34:11.740 --> 00:34:12.080 fellowship, 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:12.640 everybody knows 00:34:12.640 --> 00:34:13.120 I'm working on 00:34:13.120 --> 00:34:13.740 my pride here, 00:34:14.140 --> 00:34:14.740 but you know, 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:17.840 you're working 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.360 on your pride? 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.039 Yeah, I am. 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.160 I've had a lifelong 00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:21.920 battle with it. 00:34:22.180 --> 00:34:22.460 Really? 00:34:23.580 --> 00:34:23.980 Yeah. 00:34:25.580 --> 00:34:26.720 A fear of God 00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:29.380 keeps that in check 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.660 by reminding you 00:34:30.660 --> 00:34:31.460 of who you are 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.180 and where you are. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.879 Furthermore, 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:34.579 a fear of God 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.519 keeps us from sin. 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.259 Keeps us from sin. 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.059 I want to plead 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.879 with you this morning 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:41.599 that a protective 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:43.279 nature of a fear 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:43.779 of God 00:34:43.779 --> 00:34:45.099 is a wholesome 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.359 desire 00:34:46.359 --> 00:34:48.000 to not sin. 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:51.000 A fear of God 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:52.359 keeps us 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.179 from sin. 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:58.039 When was the last time 00:34:58.039 --> 00:35:00.940 that you found 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:02.340 yourself consciously 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.360 and deliberately 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.119 debating 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:05.860 doing something 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.840 that you knew 00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:07.539 was wrong, 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:11.619 you knew nobody 00:35:11.619 --> 00:35:12.500 else was watching, 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.639 and you reminded 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:16.759 yourself that God 00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:17.500 was present 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:19.259 and He was paying 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:20.980 attention to your heart? 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:25.079 A fear of God 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:26.179 will keep us 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.420 from sin. 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.219 For the sake 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.079 of self-diagnosis, 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:31.000 let's just ask ourselves 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.019 a couple quick questions 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.320 here 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:34.639 to kind of help you 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:35.719 evaluate whether or not 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.760 you have a fear of God. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.340 So here we go. 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.280 How easily 00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:43.219 are you offended 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:44.519 when people 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.159 mistreat you 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.800 or say unkind 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:46.539 things about you? 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:49.059 How easily 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.880 are you offended 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:53.200 or irritated 00:35:53.200 --> 00:35:54.039 when people 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.119 mistreat you 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.079 or say unkind 00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:56.880 things about you? 00:35:59.140 --> 00:35:59.920 A reminder, 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.660 remember when 00:36:00.660 --> 00:36:02.160 Shimei threw stones 00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:03.079 and dust at David 00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:04.000 and David's friends 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.559 wanted to hack 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.300 the guy to death 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:06.660 and David said, 00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.260 what, what, what? 00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:07.660 Are you not 00:36:07.660 --> 00:36:08.240 paying attention? 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:10.220 He's doing this 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:11.380 because God's allowed it 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:13.660 and God may 00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.880 do something 00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:16.019 in my favor 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.940 as a result 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:18.200 where I respond. 00:36:18.700 --> 00:36:19.119 That's kind of 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.820 a free rendition. 00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:20.320 Okay. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.240 How often 00:36:22.240 --> 00:36:22.980 do you allow, 00:36:23.079 --> 00:36:23.820 listen carefully, 00:36:24.160 --> 00:36:24.660 how often 00:36:24.660 --> 00:36:25.400 do you allow 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.740 anger or moodiness 00:36:26.740 --> 00:36:28.340 to put ugly marks 00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:29.440 on your relationships? 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:31.059 Let me say that slowly. 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.660 How often 00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:33.660 do you allow 00:36:33.660 --> 00:36:35.260 anger or moodiness 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:36.860 to put ugly marks 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.220 on your relationship? 00:36:38.219 --> 00:36:38.259 relationship? 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.739 How many of you 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:42.199 know what I mean? 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.219 It's where you 00:36:44.219 --> 00:36:44.699 wake up 00:36:44.699 --> 00:36:45.199 and you know 00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:46.299 you got a bad attitude 00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:47.899 but you think 00:36:47.899 --> 00:36:48.559 your wife ought 00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:49.539 to have a part 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.299 to play in that 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:51.019 and let her know 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:52.039 you have a bad attitude, 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.319 right? 00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.539 How often 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.919 do you let 00:36:55.919 --> 00:36:56.819 anger or moodiness 00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.639 put an ugly mark 00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:58.399 on your relationship? 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:58.699 Here, 00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.759 how quickly 00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:00.379 do you ask 00:37:00.379 --> 00:37:00.959 for forgiveness 00:37:00.959 --> 00:37:01.699 when you've sinned 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.579 against someone else? 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:02.699 Yes. 00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:04.539 Everybody, 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:05.599 I have a little 00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.500 theology quiz. 00:37:08.259 --> 00:37:09.219 Any of us in here 00:37:09.219 --> 00:37:09.699 sin free? 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:11.380 Raise your hand. 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.440 No one sin free. 00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:15.019 How many of you 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.519 have sinned 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.599 in the last 24 hours? 00:37:17.759 --> 00:37:18.400 Didn't have to 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:18.779 raise your hands, 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:18.980 okay? 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:20.159 How many of you 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:21.159 having sinned, 00:37:21.759 --> 00:37:22.819 a lot of our sins 00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:23.840 happen to other people. 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:24.239 Do you follow 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:24.960 what I'm saying here? 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:26.900 Other people 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.319 are affected 00:37:27.319 --> 00:37:27.940 by our sin. 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:30.260 So who did you 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:30.860 go to last 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.159 and say, 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:31.400 listen, 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:33.940 I am grieved 00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.519 that I've sinned 00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:35.099 against God 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.940 and you have also 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.639 been the recipient 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.320 of that. 00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:38.460 Will you forgive me? 00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.280 How often 00:37:40.280 --> 00:37:40.639 do you ask 00:37:40.639 --> 00:37:41.019 other people 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.599 to forgive you? 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.240 When you do 00:37:44.240 --> 00:37:44.820 find yourself 00:37:44.820 --> 00:37:45.220 tempted, 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.139 do you stop 00:37:47.139 --> 00:37:47.519 to think 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:48.240 that God knows 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:48.760 and sees? 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.400 How quickly 00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:51.079 do you remind 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.639 yourself that 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:52.360 God's present 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:53.480 and He's paying 00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:53.880 attention? 00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:55.539 So, 00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:57.700 to summarize 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.299 it this way 00:37:58.299 --> 00:37:58.939 before we step 00:37:58.939 --> 00:37:59.899 to one other piece, 00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:02.279 ask yourself 00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.119 this question 00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:03.899 practically, 00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:05.899 do I fear 00:38:05.899 --> 00:38:06.539 God? 00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:09.119 Check the box, 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.339 yes, 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:13.299 not like I should. 00:38:14.839 --> 00:38:15.519 Let's come 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.879 to the last part 00:38:16.879 --> 00:38:18.059 of Ecclesiastes 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:19.219 and close. 00:38:21.659 --> 00:38:22.659 In the passage, 00:38:23.919 --> 00:38:25.859 the writer says this, 00:38:25.939 --> 00:38:26.759 the end of the matter, 00:38:26.819 --> 00:38:27.159 in other words, 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:27.339 hey, 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.019 this is it, 00:38:28.379 --> 00:38:28.859 this is the whole 00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.199 part, 00:38:30.199 --> 00:38:30.799 fear God 00:38:30.799 --> 00:38:31.980 and keep His 00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:32.420 commandments 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:34.239 for this is 00:38:34.239 --> 00:38:34.920 the whole 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:36.239 duty of man. 00:38:37.859 --> 00:38:38.960 In the end, 00:38:39.799 --> 00:38:40.819 we're talking 00:38:40.819 --> 00:38:41.420 about applied 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:42.299 theology here, 00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:42.960 namely, 00:38:43.099 --> 00:38:43.519 keeping His 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:43.920 commandments, 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.779 in the end, 00:38:45.859 --> 00:38:46.799 the way we think 00:38:46.799 --> 00:38:47.279 and act 00:38:47.279 --> 00:38:48.079 is a reflection 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.339 of what we 00:38:49.339 --> 00:38:50.159 believe about 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:50.879 our God. 00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:50.920 God. 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.200 Do you follow 00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:53.400 me? 00:38:55.640 --> 00:38:56.579 The way we 00:38:56.579 --> 00:38:57.559 think and act 00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:59.059 is a reflection 00:38:59.059 --> 00:38:59.880 of what we 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.619 believe, 00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:02.980 what we think 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:04.260 about our God. 00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:06.780 Let me give you 00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:07.320 an illustration 00:39:07.320 --> 00:39:08.900 just off the top 00:39:08.900 --> 00:39:09.079 here. 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:11.000 When we steal, 00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:13.720 what are we 00:39:13.720 --> 00:39:14.440 saying about the 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.059 God who we 00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:16.160 believe provides? 00:39:16.159 --> 00:39:16.279 us? 00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:19.460 Hmm? 00:39:22.359 --> 00:39:23.059 When we 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:24.039 disobey a 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:24.839 clear command 00:39:24.839 --> 00:39:25.539 and instruction, 00:39:25.779 --> 00:39:26.179 what are we 00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:26.719 saying about 00:39:26.719 --> 00:39:27.339 God's wisdom? 00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:33.220 I want you 00:39:33.220 --> 00:39:33.840 to understand 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:35.559 that the 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:36.320 passage that 00:39:36.320 --> 00:39:36.840 tells us 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.280 keep His 00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:37.800 commandments 00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:38.700 is telling us 00:39:38.700 --> 00:39:39.240 in practical 00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:39.720 terms, 00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:41.000 show what 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.740 you actually 00:39:41.740 --> 00:39:42.500 believe about 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:44.180 God in 00:39:44.180 --> 00:39:44.940 behavior that 00:39:44.940 --> 00:39:45.500 honors Him. 00:39:47.200 --> 00:39:47.760 Practically 00:39:47.760 --> 00:39:48.300 speaking, 00:39:48.840 --> 00:39:49.559 our obedience 00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:51.100 affirms our 00:39:51.100 --> 00:39:51.660 love. 00:39:53.160 --> 00:39:53.940 John chapter 00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.440 14, 00:39:54.539 --> 00:39:55.140 verse 15, 00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:56.180 by this shall 00:39:56.180 --> 00:39:56.840 all men know 00:39:56.840 --> 00:39:57.220 that you are 00:39:57.219 --> 00:39:58.339 my disciples, 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:58.939 He said 00:39:58.939 --> 00:39:59.379 elsewhere, 00:39:59.819 --> 00:40:00.379 because you 00:40:00.379 --> 00:40:00.739 love one 00:40:00.739 --> 00:40:01.019 another. 00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:01.379 But in 00:40:01.379 --> 00:40:01.899 14, 00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:02.339 15, 00:40:02.439 --> 00:40:02.839 He says, 00:40:02.839 --> 00:40:03.679 if you 00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:04.219 love me, 00:40:04.319 --> 00:40:04.519 what? 00:40:05.759 --> 00:40:06.059 What? 00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:07.039 Keep my 00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:07.419 commandments. 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.939 Keep my 00:40:08.939 --> 00:40:09.299 commandments. 00:40:10.799 --> 00:40:11.039 Our 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:11.839 obedience is 00:40:11.839 --> 00:40:13.179 also one of 00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:14.179 the means of 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:14.779 grace, 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:17.079 in that some 00:40:17.079 --> 00:40:17.919 of the blessings 00:40:17.919 --> 00:40:19.119 that we stand 00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:20.379 to receive do 00:40:20.379 --> 00:40:21.459 not fall 00:40:21.459 --> 00:40:22.799 apart from 00:40:22.799 --> 00:40:23.339 obedience. 00:40:24.879 --> 00:40:25.839 What do I 00:40:25.839 --> 00:40:26.379 mean by that? 00:40:26.380 --> 00:40:28.579 no farmer 00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.660 was ever 00:40:29.660 --> 00:40:30.380 blessed with 00:40:30.380 --> 00:40:31.320 a good crop 00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:33.380 apart from 00:40:33.380 --> 00:40:33.920 dogged 00:40:33.920 --> 00:40:34.800 obedience to 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:35.460 getting up and 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:36.099 going to work 00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:36.599 on a daily 00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:37.099 basis. 00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:38.480 Does that make 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:38.800 sense? 00:40:40.780 --> 00:40:41.519 Obedience 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:43.119 is one of the 00:40:43.119 --> 00:40:43.660 means of 00:40:43.660 --> 00:40:44.099 grace. 00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.140 And when you 00:40:46.140 --> 00:40:47.140 obey Him 00:40:47.140 --> 00:40:48.300 and do that 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.180 which pleases 00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:49.599 Him, 00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:51.340 it means you 00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:52.640 are in the 00:40:52.640 --> 00:40:53.720 place where 00:40:53.720 --> 00:40:54.240 blessing 00:40:54.239 --> 00:40:55.279 happens. 00:40:57.739 --> 00:40:58.439 Let me 00:40:58.439 --> 00:40:58.899 close by 00:40:58.899 --> 00:40:59.639 asking you a 00:40:59.639 --> 00:41:00.159 couple very 00:41:00.159 --> 00:41:01.239 practical questions 00:41:01.239 --> 00:41:01.859 at the end. 00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.579 First of all 00:41:06.579 --> 00:41:07.239 is this, 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.419 have you 00:41:09.419 --> 00:41:09.979 come to the 00:41:09.979 --> 00:41:11.919 place where 00:41:11.919 --> 00:41:12.559 the fear of 00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:13.279 God has 00:41:13.279 --> 00:41:14.299 taught you and 00:41:14.299 --> 00:41:15.019 drawn you to 00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:15.699 the cross? 00:41:15.699 --> 00:41:15.779 grace. 00:41:17.419 --> 00:41:18.079 The song 00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:18.819 Amazing Grace 00:41:18.819 --> 00:41:19.480 has a line 00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:20.000 in it or a 00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:20.619 few lines in 00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:21.739 it that apply 00:41:21.739 --> 00:41:22.219 to this. 00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:22.579 It says, 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.619 "'Twas grace 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:24.159 that taught 00:41:24.159 --> 00:41:24.759 my heart 00:41:24.759 --> 00:41:26.699 to fear 00:41:26.699 --> 00:41:28.879 and grace 00:41:28.879 --> 00:41:29.699 my fears 00:41:29.699 --> 00:41:30.099 relieved." 00:41:30.099 --> 00:41:30.279 You know 00:41:30.279 --> 00:41:30.500 what it's 00:41:30.500 --> 00:41:30.719 saying? 00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.699 It's saying 00:41:32.699 --> 00:41:33.019 that the 00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.759 grace of God 00:41:33.759 --> 00:41:34.500 brought me to 00:41:34.500 --> 00:41:35.659 realize the 00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:36.739 absolute moral 00:41:36.739 --> 00:41:37.679 bankruptcy and 00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:38.500 darkness of my 00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:39.679 heart and led 00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:40.939 me to realize I 00:41:40.939 --> 00:41:41.819 couldn't save 00:41:41.819 --> 00:41:42.960 myself and I 00:41:42.960 --> 00:41:43.639 needed Jesus. 00:41:43.639 --> 00:41:50.539 Have you 00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:50.920 come to that 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:51.400 place? 00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:53.139 Have you 00:41:53.139 --> 00:41:53.579 come to that 00:41:53.579 --> 00:41:55.900 place where 00:41:55.900 --> 00:41:56.539 the grace of 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:57.319 God has brought 00:41:57.319 --> 00:41:58.199 you to a place 00:41:58.199 --> 00:41:58.900 of fear of 00:41:58.900 --> 00:42:01.299 God and you 00:42:01.299 --> 00:42:01.920 in humility 00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:02.599 have cried out 00:42:02.599 --> 00:42:02.900 and said, 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:03.480 "'Jesus, I 00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:03.879 need you to 00:42:03.879 --> 00:42:05.639 be my Savior.'" 00:42:05.639 --> 00:42:08.500 Second question 00:42:08.500 --> 00:42:09.460 is for you who 00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:09.960 are believers 00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:10.500 here this 00:42:10.500 --> 00:42:10.839 morning, 00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:13.359 how often 00:42:13.360 --> 00:42:14.920 does a fear 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:15.539 of God 00:42:15.539 --> 00:42:18.640 affect your 00:42:18.640 --> 00:42:19.840 daily thinking 00:42:19.840 --> 00:42:21.280 as a believer? 00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:23.940 How often? 00:42:25.579 --> 00:42:26.559 I want to 00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:27.320 appeal to you 00:42:27.320 --> 00:42:28.059 that if you 00:42:28.059 --> 00:42:29.280 took time to 00:42:29.280 --> 00:42:30.120 study the New 00:42:30.120 --> 00:42:30.740 Testament in 00:42:30.740 --> 00:42:31.180 particular, 00:42:31.800 --> 00:42:33.039 you would find 00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:34.940 that the fear 00:42:34.940 --> 00:42:36.180 of God occupies 00:42:36.180 --> 00:42:37.460 more space than 00:42:37.460 --> 00:42:38.820 we are inclined 00:42:38.820 --> 00:42:39.280 to think. 00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:42.180 God is not 00:42:42.180 --> 00:42:43.320 just some nice 00:42:43.320 --> 00:42:44.080 old companion 00:42:44.080 --> 00:42:44.720 up there that 00:42:44.720 --> 00:42:45.220 gives us what 00:42:45.220 --> 00:42:45.680 we want. 00:42:48.200 --> 00:42:49.060 It says in 00:42:49.060 --> 00:42:49.440 scriptures, 00:42:49.640 --> 00:42:50.080 it's a fearful 00:42:50.080 --> 00:42:50.760 thing to fall 00:42:50.760 --> 00:42:51.440 into the hands 00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:51.940 of the living 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:52.300 God. 00:42:54.080 --> 00:42:54.800 In Revelation, 00:42:55.140 --> 00:42:56.060 it speaks about 00:42:56.060 --> 00:42:57.120 fearing Him. 00:42:58.880 --> 00:42:59.460 And so I 00:42:59.460 --> 00:42:59.680 want to 00:42:59.680 --> 00:43:00.340 encourage you 00:43:00.340 --> 00:43:00.620 who are 00:43:00.620 --> 00:43:01.300 believers this 00:43:01.300 --> 00:43:01.900 morning as you 00:43:01.900 --> 00:43:02.420 think about 00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:03.320 18, that what 00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:03.880 you will do 00:43:03.880 --> 00:43:04.400 is this, is 00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:04.820 that you will 00:43:04.820 --> 00:43:05.019 say, 00:43:05.140 --> 00:43:06.000 Lord, you 00:43:06.000 --> 00:43:06.440 being my 00:43:06.440 --> 00:43:07.280 helper, I 00:43:07.280 --> 00:43:08.019 want you to 00:43:08.019 --> 00:43:08.720 stir my 00:43:08.720 --> 00:43:09.940 heart that I 00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:11.160 will have a 00:43:11.160 --> 00:43:12.180 fear of you 00:43:12.180 --> 00:43:13.140 that honors 00:43:13.140 --> 00:43:14.580 your great 00:43:14.580 --> 00:43:15.300 name. 00:43:17.060 --> 00:43:17.720 Let me close 00:43:17.720 --> 00:43:18.260 with a simple 00:43:18.260 --> 00:43:20.340 verse for you 00:43:20.340 --> 00:43:20.880 to hold on 00:43:20.880 --> 00:43:21.120 to. 00:43:22.220 --> 00:43:23.060 2 Corinthians 00:43:23.060 --> 00:43:24.380 chapter 5 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:25.620 verse 9. 00:43:26.640 --> 00:43:27.220 It wouldn't 00:43:27.220 --> 00:43:27.660 be a bad 00:43:27.660 --> 00:43:27.900 one to 00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:28.220 memorize. 00:43:29.600 --> 00:43:30.019 Certainly 00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:30.260 it wouldn't 00:43:30.260 --> 00:43:30.720 be a bad 00:43:30.720 --> 00:43:31.000 one to 00:43:31.000 --> 00:43:31.500 underline. 00:43:34.160 --> 00:43:34.840 And so I'm 00:43:34.840 --> 00:43:35.200 going to ask 00:43:35.200 --> 00:43:35.680 that you turn 00:43:35.680 --> 00:43:36.240 to it to 00:43:36.240 --> 00:43:36.620 give you the 00:43:36.619 --> 00:43:37.079 chance to 00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:37.400 frame it 00:43:37.400 --> 00:43:37.579 in your 00:43:37.579 --> 00:43:37.759 own 00:43:37.759 --> 00:43:38.079 thinking. 00:43:38.219 --> 00:43:38.759 2 Corinthians 00:43:38.759 --> 00:43:39.759 chapter 5 00:43:39.759 --> 00:43:41.480 verse 9. 00:43:49.819 --> 00:43:50.559 So whether 00:43:50.559 --> 00:43:51.119 we are at 00:43:51.119 --> 00:43:52.319 home or 00:43:52.319 --> 00:43:52.719 away, 00:43:53.839 --> 00:43:54.639 so whether 00:43:54.639 --> 00:43:55.219 we are at 00:43:55.219 --> 00:43:56.460 home or 00:43:56.460 --> 00:43:56.839 away, 00:43:57.519 --> 00:43:58.339 whether I 00:43:58.339 --> 00:43:59.179 am here 00:43:59.179 --> 00:44:00.079 or there, 00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:02.579 we make 00:44:02.579 --> 00:44:03.159 it our 00:44:03.159 --> 00:44:04.400 aim 00:44:04.400 --> 00:44:06.400 to please 00:44:06.400 --> 00:44:06.680 him. 00:44:07.400 --> 00:44:08.840 This is 00:44:08.840 --> 00:44:10.420 my desire. 00:44:11.440 --> 00:44:12.099 I want 00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:13.139 him 00:44:13.139 --> 00:44:14.720 satisfied 00:44:14.720 --> 00:44:15.800 with my 00:44:15.800 --> 00:44:16.160 life. 00:44:16.860 --> 00:44:17.599 Let's close 00:44:17.599 --> 00:44:17.960 in prayer. 00:44:22.039 --> 00:44:22.840 Father God, 00:44:22.900 --> 00:44:23.500 this morning as 00:44:23.500 --> 00:44:23.980 we take your 00:44:23.980 --> 00:44:24.740 word in hand 00:44:24.740 --> 00:44:25.440 and we remind 00:44:25.440 --> 00:44:26.240 ourselves first 00:44:26.240 --> 00:44:26.780 of blessing 00:44:26.780 --> 00:44:29.019 and then 00:44:29.019 --> 00:44:29.599 counsel and 00:44:29.599 --> 00:44:30.139 instruction, 00:44:30.139 --> 00:44:32.480 we want 00:44:32.480 --> 00:44:32.779 to be a 00:44:32.779 --> 00:44:33.500 people that 00:44:33.500 --> 00:44:34.379 fear you, 00:44:35.079 --> 00:44:35.960 that obey 00:44:35.960 --> 00:44:36.319 you, 00:44:36.980 --> 00:44:37.940 that delight 00:44:37.940 --> 00:44:38.500 in you, 00:44:38.719 --> 00:44:39.679 and give 00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:40.219 you delight. 00:44:41.259 --> 00:44:41.980 We ask 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:42.179 that you 00:44:42.179 --> 00:44:42.579 would work 00:44:42.579 --> 00:44:43.000 in us 00:44:43.000 --> 00:44:43.460 to that 00:44:43.460 --> 00:44:43.779 end, 00:44:44.359 --> 00:44:45.339 to the 00:44:45.339 --> 00:44:45.759 glory of 00:44:45.759 --> 00:44:46.159 Christ. 00:44:46.839 --> 00:44:47.319 And we 00:44:47.319 --> 00:44:47.739 pray this 00:44:47.739 --> 00:44:48.039 in his 00:44:48.039 --> 00:44:48.359 name. 00:44:48.359 --> 00:44:49.440 Amen.