One of the biggest reasons we are seeing a decline in wholesome moral values in our culture can be directly traced to the abandonment of the Bible from our culture. This time we are living in is proof positive that the restraining influence the Word of God has had on human culture and behavior has been largely denigrated and even more and more as time goes on without the mooring of the truth to stabilize our culture. Our Pastor teacher, Landis Fisher is presenting a lesson today on this vital topic which he has titled: “Learning the Fear of the LORD”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1 – 7 (KJV)
Deu 6:1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
Deu 6:2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Deu 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:9 – 16 (NASB)
2Pe 2:9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
2Pe 2:10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,
2Pe 2:11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.
2Pe 2:12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,
2Pe 2:13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you,
2Pe 2:14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;
2Pe 2:15 forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) The intensions of God are set for the very best outcome for the souls of His creation, but due to abuse by mankind, and the absence of the fear of the LORD, mankind descends from bad to worse, being over indulged in excess, rather than coming to know the magnitude of the manifold grace of God.
2) Biblical history, (which is the most accurate in existence) is the proof that God is worthy to be honored and obeyed, and such behavior should therefore, be displayed by the ones who believe God and set the example for the balance of those who are abusive and unbelieving.
3) The fear of the LORD is the begining of wisdom and is a thing that must be learned; and is the result of knowing God’s word, after coming to know His Son Christ Jesus, who is the physical proof of the depth of God’s unfailing love and His commitment to us and the world.
