What is the Fear of God? | Dr Tony Evans | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

What is the Fear of God?

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship • Aug 2, 2023 • 11 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

To fear God does not mean living in constant terror, but rather taking Him, His Word, and His perspectives seriously instead of casually. Just as we enjoy the immense benefits of electricity while handling it with careful respect, we are called to revere God's holy power. Believers are encouraged to make pleasing God their daily ambition and to participate in local church accountability to help others do the same.

Themes

Fear of GodPleasing GodAccountabilityReverence and HonorChristian AmbitionChurch Community

Pastor's Points

1.

Make it your daily ambition and orientation to pursue pleasing God.

2.

Know and walk in the fear of the Lord by taking Him seriously.

3.

Persuade others to fear God through active church community and loving accountability.

Key Points

1.
The primary ambition of a believer's life should be to live every day in a way that is pleasing to God.
2.
To fear God does not mean walking around trembling, but taking Him, His thoughts, and His views seriously rather than casually.
3.
Electricity brings great power and blessing to our lives, but we treat it with careful respect because that same power can hurt us if mismanaged.
4.
A casual faith treats God's name lightly, using it without caring about His standards, heart, or holiness.
5.
Just as parents command serious respect from their children, God requires His children to acknowledge His absolute divine authority.
6.
Knowing that every believer will stand before God and have their works evaluated should motivate a healthy, reverent fear.
7.
The local church exists so believers can love, correct, and persuade one another to stay faithful as they prepare to give an account to God.

Sermon Moments

“Electricity is a blessing, but you don't stick a screwdriver in an outlet—that same power that blessed you can hurt you if you don't handle it with care.”

“To fear God doesn't mean to walk around trembling; to fear God is to take Him seriously as opposed to taking Him casually.”

“We have a society today that's playing with God, throwing out His name while giving no weight to His holiness.”

“At the end of the day, ask yourself: Did I please God with my day so that when I lay my head on the pillow tonight, He is well pleased?”

“When God says A, and we have the audacity to say 'but I think B,' we have insulted God like a child defying a parent.”

“The church exists so believers can love, correct, serve, and persuade one another to stand strong before the day of judgment.”

This Week

Start each morning with a prayer asking the Lord to make your primary goal that day to please Him in word and deed.

Before making decisions throughout the day, pause and ask, 'Is this action going to make God smile?'

End your evening by evaluating your day and asking God if your choices were pleasing to Him.

Examine your speech to ensure you are not using God's name casually or in vain.

Respect God's power and holiness by aligning your life with His explicit commands rather than personal opinions.

Engage actively in a local church body where fellow believers can hold you accountable to biblical principles.

Take intentional steps to model and teach the reverent fear of God to your children or those you disciple.

Remember This

To fear God is to take Him seriously by making it your daily goal to please Him in everything you think, say, and do.

A Challenge for You

Our job as a church is not just to preach, but to persuade and challenge one another because we will all stand before God where every person's work will be examined.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.