Resources

In this audio message, Scott Brown reminds us that all children are born in sin. He emphasizes that it's important to recover the biblical doctrine of the family. Ultimately, revival and reformation begin with Scripture. We are called to be faithful to read Scripture and speak of God's ways to our families. Matthew 19:14 (NKJV) - "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'"

The apostle Paul calls the believers in Corinth to be separate from unbelievers, and to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). What does this mean? How are modern readers to apply these apostolic commands? The answer lies in the way Paul unfolds his complex but powerful argument. He asks the Corinthians five penetrating questions, gives an astonishing revelation and contrast, roots his thought in Scripture and covenant language, and then gives three commands and three promises to provoke God’s people to holy living! Building upon his argument and motivated by God’s great promises, Paul exhorted the Corinthians, as well as believers down throughout the ages, to be set apart from the contamination of sin and perfect holy living. The motivation for this pursuit is the fear of God. Join Jeff Pollard as he goes to Scripture to lay out the promises for those who fear God.

How does the doctrine of the Trinity and the fear of God work together? Having coauthored a book on Bunyan on the fear of God, Joel Beeke examines this question and connects this theme of the fear of God with Bunyan’s view of the Trinity. First, he looks at Bunyan’s Trinitarian Gospel of grace, showing how he integrated the doctrine of the Trinity into his basic presentation of the Gospel— even down to a child’s level. Second, he looks at Bunyan’s Trinitarian grace of fear, showing how it produces genuine piety in believers. Finally, he seeks to explain how godly fear moves the believer as he relates to each member of the Trinity— that is, the “fear-filling” grace of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. 

In Leviticus 19, God says one thing to Israel over and over again: “I am the LORD your God.” This should ring in the ears of every Christian. The LORD is our God, and this is no small thing. It is a precious thing to us – as it was for Israel. But it is also a fearful thing. Why? It is a fearful thing because God is holy and we are called to be like Him. In Leviticus 19, the fear of God is set forth as the basis for holy living with one another. A wholesome fear of God must shape the way we interact with other people, both inside and outside of the church.

Many people are familiar with the highlights of Jonah’s life: A stubborn, unbelieving prophet who thinks he can run from God. A storm-tossed ship, a huge fish, and a merciful Father show him otherwise, and he is swayed to repentance. These remarkable events often overshadow the actions of the sailors who met Jonah along the way. But helpful comparisons can be made between religious-yet-backslidden Jonah and his irreligious shipmates. Jonah, though he had much knowledge of God, was ashamed of Him and lounging in despair and disobedience. The sailors, heathen though they were, saw the storm and acknowledged that Jonah’s God was powerful. Therefore, they feared and worshipped Him, and were quick to obey, unlike Jonah. What can we learn about the fear of God from the account of the prophet Jonah?

The prophet Isaiah has given us some of the clearest sketches of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. We are familiar with what he says about the Redeemer in chapter 53, where he speaks of the saving work of the cross. However, long before Isaiah explains the cross, in chapter 11 he shows us Jesus, who is the Root and Branch of the Davidic line, equipped by the Spirit to set right the ruin of sin. One defining aspect of the Messiah is that “His delight is in the fear of the LORD” (Isa. 11:3). In this session, John Snyder will be explaining the fear of the LORD in the life of Jesus Christ in the context of His redemptive labors.

The fear of God is the fear that casts away all other fears. This freedom from fear is brought about by the manifold love of God, bestowed upon fear-filled, broken people. His perfect love casts away all fear. This is how the Psalmist David could tenderly say in Psalm 23, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” This is the one great fear - the One whom we fear - that casts away all other fears. 

How is it that fear can also be a blessing? How can it be true that, “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord” (Ps. 128:4)? In thisintroductory session Scott Brown will do an exposition of Psalm 128, where the Psalmist lists the many blessings that are manifested in the personal, family, and civil lives of all those who fear God. He will explain the various types of fear that are found in the Bible and are therefore resident in the heart of man. 

What happens to a church when it loses the ability to Fear God? What happens to a people or Nations who are unmoved by the precepts of the King of Kings? What happens to leaders in any sphere when they are no longer able to tremble when God speaks? In this session, Carlton McLeod will explore Isaiah 66, where this proposition is put forward: If God’s people do not tremble when He speaks, they will lose the will to conform their lives to Scripture, especially when the Word is contrary to their desires.

Every area and aspect of the Christian life should bear the fingerprints of a healthy fear of God. The areas of resisting temptation and mortifying sin are no different. When sin seems to continue to get the upper hand in our lives, it is evidence that there is a lack of the fear and awe of God. If we are to succeed in our battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, we will need to be gripped by such an awareness of our glorious God. Then we would be able to say like Joseph, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

God-fearers experience meaningful lives that glorify God. That’s the concluding message of Ecclesiastes 12:13. Here we see that the childlike fear of God (unlike slavish fear) is reverential, heartfelt worship of God as a way of life. In this message, Joel Beeke defines what the fear of God is biblically, and seeks to explain the importance of it in the Christian life.

The theme of Jeremiah 32:36-41 is God's everlasting covenant. This covenant is predicted using the shadows of the Old Testament and it is the New Covenant made with the church. It is an everlasting covenant because it assures that all God’s people will be given the grace to fear God always. This has significant implications for our understanding of the fear of God. The fear of God: is absolutely necessary for a relationship with God and the perseverance of the saints; exists in a climate of indelible grace; draws men to God; and is the result of the wrath-satisfying work of Christ.