To Fear God Alone

“Building Our Lives on Bedrock” #5 August 4, 2019 GWB “To Fear God Alone” - Proverbs 1:7 - Jesus taught us to obey his teaching—to follow Jesus is to be like the wise man who built his house on a rock. When storms came, the house stood, because it had a solid foundation (Matt. 7:24-27). Trials do come; temptations threaten—we need to build our lives on bedrock. The Bible teaches us to “fear God” (Proverbs 1:7). Note that the text has two lines. Fools despise God’s way. What does it mean to fear God? I. Build on bedrock: Fear God and choose life Proverbs 1:7 1. The fear of God is worshipful submission to the God of the covenant. To “fear God” is to know him, love him, and to live in reverence of his word. This is the “beginning” of knowledge—the foundation upon which all knowledge is built—and the first principle from which knowledge grows. a. To fear God is to know him personally. Thus in Prov. 2:5 and 9:10 “fear of God” is synonymous with the “knowledge of God.” Those who know God reverence his authority and stand in awe of his power. b. To fear God is to love, serve and obey him (Deut. 10:12-13). 1) Here Moses summarizes the meaning of fearing God. Those who fear the Lord walk in his ways, love him, and serve him with all their heart and soul. Standing in awe of him, they obey him gladly. 2) It is the same in the New Testament: the church lives in the fear of God (Acts 9:31). We work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), submitting to one another in the fear of Christ (Eph. 5:21). c. To fear God is to avoid sin and evil (Exod. 20:20; Prov. 8:13). 1) When God descended on Mt. Sinai—the mountain shook, wrapped in smoke. Thunder clapped; lightning flashed; a trumpet blasted louder and louder. The people trembled in terror of the Almighty! 2) Moses said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (20:20). In this statement, one type of ‘fear’ is wrong—another ‘fear’ is indispensable! - Fright is not right: we do not cringe in terror, as before a monster. - Awe of God issuing in reverent obedience is what is essential! 3) Thus, Paul’s reverence led him to preach. “Since we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11). 2. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning us from death (Prov. 14:27). Fearing the Lord leads us to Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Through his death and resurrection he saves! Those who fear the Lord belong to him forever (Mal. 3:16-18). II. Build on sand: Reject God and suffer disaster Proverbs 1:7 1. Fools despise God’s wisdom and discipline. (The “fool” is not someone who is mentally deficient, but one who is morally rebellious.) a. To “despise” God and his ways is to reject him, to treat his word with contempt. It is to pursue the round of life without reference to God. “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18). b. This proves to be disastrous—a path to destruction: “Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” (Prov. 28:14) 2. Can believers play the fool and dishonor God? Who is the author of our text (1:1)? Which line does Solomon’s life exemplify? Both! a. Solomon began life following the Lord. God appeared to him, and in great humility, Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Ki. 3:4-15). He built the temple, and his prayer shows reverence and spiritual insight (1 Ki. 8). b. But sadly, Solomon also played the fool. He ignored the Law of the King (Deut. 17:14-20). He took many wives, and his heart was turned away. 3. Can we who believe play the fool and dishonor God? a. Our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9). We can neglect our salvation and drift away from God, falling into sinful ways (see Heb. 2:1-3). b. We can neglect his word, grow cold to God, get away from fellowship with others and backslide. We may get off track because of all the distractions—the toys, the “hobbies” that become idols—more important than God and his kingdom. 4. According to Rabbinic tradition, Solomon wrote Song of Songs in his youth, Proverbs in his maturity, and Ecclesiastes in his old age. He came full circle: Fearing God is “the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). The purpose of human life is not to accumulate toys or amass power; the purpose of human existence is to know, love and enjoy God! Responding to God Fear God, keep his commandments—this is the whole of life! 1. Moses and Pharaoh serve as examples. Moses turned aside to the burning bush. God was there! When God spoke, Moses took off his sandals and bowed down. Moses struggled with God’s call, but yielded to God’s will. Pharaoh, when he heard God’s command to release Israel, said, “Who is the Lord? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go!” (Ex. 5:2) Moses, who feared God, walked through the Red Sea on dry ground; Pharaoh, who spurned God, perished there. 2. Do you fear God? If you do—you will love him and devote yourself to obeying and following his Son, Jesus, your Savior. Following him gives life stability—it is bedrock for our souls. “Building Our Lives on Bedrock” #5 August 4, 2019 GWB