Intro:
Good morning, everyone! We're diving into Matthew chapter 10 today, drawing wisdom from Jesus, Solomon (from Proverbs), and David (from the Psalms) to understand the fear of the Lord. We'll see how this powerful concept can actually free us from all our other fears.
Scripture References: Matthew 10:5-31, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 3:13-18, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 14:26-27, Proverbs 15:16, Psalm 19:9, Psalm 25:12-14, Psalm 31:19-20, Psalm 34, Isaiah 33:6, 1 Samuel 21, Ephesians 4:17-18, Colossians 2:3
Key Points:
- Jesus' Bizarre Halftime Speech (Matthew 10):
- Jesus sends out His disciples with a message of the Kingdom, healing, and deliverance.
- But then the message takes a dark turn: "I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves."
- He warns of persecution, betrayal, and hatred, yet astonishingly commands, "Do not fear those who kill the body... Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
- This isn't a typical pep talk, but a profound invitation to a greater fear that delivers from lesser ones.
- The Fear of the Lord: The Beginning of Wisdom:
- Proverbs 1:7 famously states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
- This "fear" isn't a cowering dread but a reverent awe that leads to friendship with God (Psalm 25:14) and is described as "clean" and "enduring forever" (Psalm 19:9).
- It's a treasure that brings stability, strength, and life (Isaiah 33:6, Proverbs 10:27, 14:27).
- Fear's Grip: Lessons from David (1 Samuel 21 & Psalm 34):
- Even heroes like King David succumbed to fear, running, hiding, lying, pretending madness, and forgetting God's faithfulness.
- Fear often leads us to strongholds – places we seek for safety that become captivity. It makes us huddle with those just like us.
- Psalm 34 is David's testimony and sermon after God delivered him from his fears.
- Fear is a faith revealer: It exposes what we boast in, what we magnify. To be free, we must boast in and magnify God (Psalm 34:1-3).
- A Greater Fear Delivers from Lesser Fears:
- Just as the fear of rejection might make you jump off a bridge, or the fear of losing a child makes you brave the ocean, a greater fear can trump lesser fears.
- The fear of the Lord is not a fear of Him, but a fear of going without Him—a reverent submission that keeps us in step with Him.
- This fear leads to refuge in God (Psalm 31:19-20), obedience, and faithfulness. It frees us from the compromise that worldly fears demand.
Conclusion:
The idea that "the only thing to fear is fear itself" is a lie. The one thing we should fear is the Lord. And in this divine exchange, when we fear Him most, He delivers us from all other lesser fears, leading us to abundant life and wisdom.
Call to Action:
As we come to the table, let's ask God to expose the fears that reveal what we've put our faith in. Let's boast in Christ's sacrifice, knowing He's made a way for us to live free from fear's influence. Receive His broken body, and ask for a healthy fear of the Lord – one that is pure, clean, endures forever, and leads to fullness of life. Come to the table, and if you need prayer, a team is ready to minister to you.
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