How to Develop the Fear of the Lord

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Psalm 34:11-22 How to Develop the Fear of the Lord (Part Three of Three) Sermon Notes for January 28, 2007 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri INTRO 1. The fear of the Lord is a New Testament virtue. Jer. 32:38-41 2. While there are two kinds of fear, the fear of the Lord cannot be reduced to “reverence.” Exodus 20:19-21; Jer. 5:22 ; Isaiah 2:10,19, 21 3. As in the NT, it is a summary description of fallen and righteous men. A. Fallen Gen. 20:11,12; Psalm 36:1; Jer. 2:19; Mal. 3:5 B. Righteous Ps 66:16; Acts 13:16,26 C. Evidenced by a lack of fear of God’s Rulers 1 Chr. 14:16,17; Lev. 19:1-3 4. It is a basic requirement of rulers. Ex. 18:21; Mal. 2:5, 2 Sam. 23:1-7; Neh. 5:14-16; 7:1-3; 2 Chr. 19:7; 19:9 How To Develop the Fear of the Lord 1. Choose it. Prov. 1:29 2. Prioritize it. Prov. 2:5; 15:16; Isa. 57:11; Gen. 22:12, Ex. 32; Isa. 33:6 3. Learn It: Bring to your mind the reality of God’s temporal and eternal judgments. A. Regularly read Ps. 34:12-22, noting the two end points. (Ecc. 7:15-19; 8:12 ,13) Psalm 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Who is the man who desires life , And loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil , To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears , And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned . 22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned . B. Know its positive results. 1. It aids our sanctification. Prov. 16:6; 23:17; 2 Cor. 7:1 2. Its produces longevity and satisfaction. Prov. 10:27; 14:27; 19:23 3. Its presence yields strong confidence. Prov. 14:26; Job 4:6 C. Its presence yields victory. 2 Chr. 20:27-33; 14:9-14; 17:10 4. Hear and obey God’s Word. Ps. 111:10; Pr. 1:7, 8:19; Dt. 8:5,6, 13:4, 5:29, 14:23, 4:10. 17:19, 31:10-13; Ec 5:7, 12:13; Josh. 4:20-24 5. Humble yourself. Pr. 15:33, 22:4; James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6 6. Be charitable. Neh. 5:8,9; Lk. 18:2; Exodus 1:17-22 7. Encourage tough love. 1 Sam. 11:5-7 8. Have A Proper Relationship To Evil A. Depart from it. Job 28:28; 1:1,8,2:3 B. Hate it. Proverbs 8:13 9. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Isa. 11:2,3; Eph. 4:30