• What is “fear”?
    • Fear is respect; when God speaks, we listen (Isaiah 66:1-2).
    • Fear is deference; when God speaks, we worship (Psalms 96:4).
    • Fear is appreciation; when God acts, we acknowledge (Revelation 15:4).
  • The one who does not fear God does not know God.
    • His power (Mark 12:24)
    • His holiness (Psalms 99:1-3)
    • His will (Genesis 22:12)
    • His wrath (Jeremiah 10:10)
    • A warning for sinners (II Thessalonians 1:8)
    • A warning for saints (I Corinthians 15:34)
  • The one who does not fear God does not love God.
    • Love and fear are complementary (Deutereonomy 10:12).
    • We show fear (Ecclesiastes 12:13) in the same way - through obedience.
    • We love and fear our earthly fathers (Hebrews 12:9).
    • We fear and love God for the same reason (Hebrews 12:10).
  • The fear of God produces peace.
    • Fearing God means not having to be afraid of anything else (Exodus 20:18-20).
  • The fear of God brings blessings.
    • Goodness (Psalms 31:19)
    • Prosperity (Psalms 25:12-13)
    • Compassion (Psalms 103:13)
    • Refreshment (Proverbs 3:7-8)
    • No want (Psalms 34:9)
    • Fearing God is what we were designed to do (I Peter 1:17); naturally we will be happier when we are doing it.
  • The fear of God banishes lesser fears.
    • Ungodly fear is groundless.
    • We panic over inconsequential matters (Genesis 3:10).
    • Ungodly fear is destructive.
    • The “roaring lion” (I Peter 5:8) will devour us if we fear his devices instead of God.
    • Ungodly fear is faithless.
    • “A little with the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 15:16).