PRINCIPLES FOR PICKING A PHYSICIAN

My mind has been centered on our GREAT PHYSICIAN.  You see, Wednesday, August 6, I was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Urosepsis.  My temperature was 102 and my blood pressure 66/26.  I was in the hospital for a week.  I am home now and getting better very gradually. Here are my thoughts from the story of the nobleman whose son Jesus healed.

John 4:43-54    

^“43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. ⁴⁴For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. ⁴⁵Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. ⁴⁶So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. ⁴⁸Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. ⁴⁹The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. ⁵⁰Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. ⁵¹And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. ⁵²Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. ⁵³So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. ⁵⁴This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.”

When we moved to the Rio Grande Valley, I wanted to find a good fomily doctor and went to visit one who was recommended.  When I was called into the doctor’s office, he asked, “How can I help you? . . . . What did you come for?”  I told him there was nothing wrong with me, but I was looking for a family doctor and wanted to visit him in case I needed one.  He looked as if thought that was very strange, but after talking about baseball for awhile, I told him I had what I came for, thanked him, and left. He was my doctor until he retired.

  I. THE DOCTOR'S ABILITY - John 4:43-45

“⁴⁴For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.  ⁴⁵Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast” (4:44-45).

(Mat. 12:15).  “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.” Some scholars believe He healed everyone in the surrounding areas where He went.

(Mat. 14:14)  “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

I remember thinking when I was a young Christian that Luke 17: 11-19 was one of the saddest passages in the Bible.  Jesus healed ten lepers and only one of them bothered to thank him!

^“11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. ¹²And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: ¹³And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. ¹⁴And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? ¹⁸There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. ¹⁹And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:11–19).

We see the amazing ability of this Doctor, who has power over all the forces of nature, in the following verses:  

(Mat. 8:27)  “But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”  

(Mark 4:41)  “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

(Luke 8:25) “And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” 

 II. THE DOCTOR'S AVAILABILITY - John 4:46a

“So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine” (4:46a).

The Great Physician was even available for a wedding and there performed one on His greatest miracles!

(Jer. 33:3)  “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

III. THE DOCTOR'S ACCESSIBILITY - John 4:46b, 47a

“46 And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him” (4:46b, 47a).

When we went to Mexico City in 1968 to preach in an evangelistic campaign during the Olympics, I was told to try not to get sick at Easter time because during the entire Holy Week all the doctors were out of town on vacation.  But the nobleman knew that Jesus would be accessible to him.

(Mt. 11:28) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

(Lk. 18:16) “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Jesus is accessible to everyone: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17)

 IV. THE DOCTOR'S AFFORDABILITY - John 4:47b

“And besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death” (4:47b).

Notice that no fee was asked for, nor was any fee paid for the healing of the son.  No one has to borrow money to see this Doctor; this Doctor is affordable to whosoever comes; this Doctor charges everyone the same--no more and no less.

The Doctor's fee is found in Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” (cf. Mt. 13:45,56; Rom. 9:9-10).  The field costs everything he has, but the treasure is free.

Again, the Doctor's fee is explained in Luke 9:23: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Here is my outline for a short teaching on this verse:

1). Self-dethronement - Lk. 9:23a

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me” (9:23a).

2). Self-denial - Lk. 9:23b

“Let him deny himself” (9:23b)

3). Self-discipline - Lk. 9:23c

“And take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). 

  V. THE DOCTOR'S USE OF ACCOUNTABILITY - John 4:48

“Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (4:48).

In effect the Lord was saying, “You believed in my miracles, why didn't you believe in my message?”  In other words, he says, “Since you saw the miracles you are accountable for the information you heard in my message.”

We see in the story of the man who was born blind in John chapter 9 that this Doctor held people accountable.  He healed the man in verse 7, the man was questioned by the Pharisees in verses 13-33, they cast him out of the synagogue in verse 34, and then in 35,  “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  36  He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?”

We can see also in the stories of the Samaritan woman in John 4 and of Cornelius in Acts 10 and 11 that Jesus expected people to follow up on the information they were given.

 VI. THE DOCTOR'S AFFABILITY - John 4:49

“The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die” (4:49).

Though the Lord reproved the nobleman in verse 48, it was not done in such a way as to drive him away, but to draw him to Himself.

VII. THE DOCTOR'S AUTHORITY - John 4:50

“Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way” (4:50).

We see in Matthew 8:23-26 that this Doctor not only cures sea sickness, but He calms the sea: “²³And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  ²⁴And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  ²⁵And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  ²⁶And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”  

TEACHING TRUTH TODAY from Proverbs chapter One

I think I could write a large book on the beautiful behavioral blueprint in this book of the Bible. 

My dad had twelve children, and there were usually several men working for him on his ranch.  As a youngster I often heard my dad use this proverb: You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.  Every time I heard the proverb used, I would wonder, “What am I to understand from this?” 

There all kinds of proverbs, some secular and some Scriptural. I have been reading what different scholarly authors write about the meanings of proverbs, and of course there are as many meanings as there are proverbs. Proverbial language was used before King Solomon, and the Lord Jesus took the use of teaching with Proverbs (or parables) to the highest and holiest level, beginning with the Parable of the Sower, found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.  My interest right now is in how proverbs were used in the Old Testament days and what they were used to communicate.  

The purpose of Book of Proverbs is to provide prudence for God’s people.  It is clearly stated in verse three of chapter one: “To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:3).  This chapter gives the general direction of all thirty-one chapters.  God compares the righteous and the rebellious, the godly and the godless, the faithful and the fools.  The last comparison He gives is between the wicked woman and the wonderful wife.  So as we read Proverbs, we should be aware of God’s wisdom in these areas.

Several months ago I asked the people in our church to read one chapter of Proverbs each day according to the day of the month on the calendar. I asked them to pick one verse from the chapter that spoke to them in a special way. I posted this on our Spanish blog, Enseñando las Escrituras.  After a time, I asked a very intelligent man if he was joining us in this challenge.  From the expression on his face, it was clear that he was not.  Later, I asked him why he did not want to read the Book of Proverbs with us.  He said, “Those proverbs are so twisted that I can’t untangle the teaching.”  I was very disappointed.

Here is the principle I take from chapter One of Proverbs today:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction”  (Proverbs 1:7).  By the way, this first section of Proverbs (chapters 1-9) ends with the same principle: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

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We would be pleased to read any comments.

THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE

I would like to share with you on Teaching Truth Today some thoughts concerning Proverbs 29:2:  “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

I have been very concerned about the nation of Israel as well as about all the Gentile nations during the last few months. The Bible and the nation of Israel have always been a focal point for Christians.  In Psalm 122:6 we are instructed to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” My son-in-law Bob Peaster is teaching on the Minor Prophets in our church.  I am usually teaching in Spanish while he teaches in English, but Sunday I had the privilege of hearing him give the introduction to the book of Amos.  I know Satan has always been trying to destroy God and His godly people, but he is really out in the open about it in the book of Amos!  It is astounding to note how much the times of Amos were like our present day.

I have continued to read a chapter of Proverbs every day according to the day of the month. Throughout the book of Proverbs, God constantly contrasts the godly and the godless. Proverbs 29:2 is an example of this.  Here is a short teaching on this verse:

  I. WHEN THE GODLY RULE OVER THE PEOPLE – Prov. 29:2a

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (29:2a).

I know you know this, but as the Apostle Peter said, I want to bring it to your remembrance.  This message comes from the palace of Israel.  Most of the book has to do with Solomon the king giving his wisdom.  “The righteous” refers to godly people, or we could say the saints of the Old Testament.  “In authority” speaks of the king that is ruling over the nation.  “The people” is a reference to the nation of Israel.  So when Israel had a righteous king ruling over them, the common people rejoiced. 

When the Lord Jesus comes to accept the throne as King David, He will be the Prince of Peace.  When the Redeemer returns there will be rejoicing!  His reign will last for 1,000 years. 

II. WHEN THE GODLESS RULE OVER THE PEOPLE – Prov. 29:2b

“But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (29:2b).

Sadly, the nation of Israel had a lot of bad kings.  It prospered greatly under the leadership of King David and King Solomon.  But later it suffered greatly under the kings that did not follow God.  Some of the kings were very wicked.  So when he says “When the wicked beareth rule,” he is talking about the wicked kings of Israel.  And the people of Israel truly did suffer, or “mourn” as this verse says. 

CONCLUSION:  We know that this verse is talking about Israel in particular, but it could be applied in many ways.  What it says is true for an individual family as well as for a nation, whether it be Jewish or Gentile.  I was encouraged by this verse – in the book of Proverbs, God has outlined for us how to live now as well as then.  

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We would be very happy to read any comments you might have.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE REDEEMER

(Matthew 28:1-18)

I. THE RESURRECTED LORD  - Matthew 28:18aa

“Jesus came” (18a) from where?  He came from the grave--HE AROSE!

A. The Reality of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:1-5

“{1} In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. {2} And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. {3} His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: {4} And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. {5} And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified” (28:1-5).

B. The Recognition of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:6,7

“{6} He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. {7} And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you” (28:6,7)..

C. The Rejoicing Because of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:8

“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word” (28:8).

D. The Reaffirmation of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:9-11

  “{9} And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. {10} Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. {11} Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done” (28:9-11).

                                            

E. The Rejection of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:12-15

“{12} And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, {13} Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. {14} And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. {15} So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (28:12-15).

F. The Results of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:16-17

“{16} Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. {17} And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted” (28:16-17).

G. The Recommissioning After the Resurrection – Mt. 28:18-20

“{18} And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. {19} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (28:18-20).

II. THE REIGNING LORD - Matthew 28:18ab

“And Jesus came and spake unto them” (28:18ab).

On this occasion, Jesus did not come unto these disciples to serve breakfast (though He did serve them breakfast at another appearance as recorded in John 21:9,10), but He came for a special briefing as the Commander in Chief.

Jesus came “and spake unto them” (18ab).  This was not a zombie walking around as the Pharisees would have people believe--this is the reigning Lord who “spake unto them.”  “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

THE FIRST SONG IN THE SACRED SONGBOOK (continued)

III. THE FRUIT OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:3

A. THE FRUIT OF SALVATION

B. THE FRUIT OF SANCTIFICATION

C. THE FRUIT OF SERVICE

IV. THE FUTURE OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:6a

Introduction: 

(Psa 1:1-3).  “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. {3} And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

The fruit of Psalm 1:3 includes the whole spectrum of Godly productivity.  1) The fruit of Salvation, 2) the fruit of Sanctification, and 3) the fruit of Service, though it does not specifically say that the fruit includes these categories.  

We have discussed the fruit of salvation, but there is another kind of fruit, which is produced by God’s purging.  God Himself prunes all the branches that have the fruit of salvation so that they can have the fruit of sanctification, identified as “more fruit: (Jn 15:2c). Today let us to look at some specific information about the fruit of sanctification. 

The fruit of salvation is automatic.  THE FRUIT OF SANCTIFICATION IS NOT AUTOMATIC. 

B. The Fruit of Sanctification – Jn. 15:2c-15

Though the whole passage of John 15:2c-15 has to do with sanctification, for the present teaching, I want to highlight the last part of verse 2:  “And every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

We can define scriptural sanctification as living in the will of God in accord with the Word of God: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (Jn 17:17).  And in 2 Corinthians 7:1 we read: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

The fruit of sanctification is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, though many times we don’t connect  these teachings with the term sanctification.   The Bible refers to sanctification frequently without using the word “fruit.”  But since we are talking about the fruit of sanctification, I would like to look particularly at verses talking about sanctification which have the term “fruit.” 

Maybe we should note that the godless trees have fruit just as the godly trees have fruit. 

(Prov 10:16)  “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.”

(Prov 11:30)  “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

(Prov 12:12)  “The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.”

Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? {17} Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. {18} A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. {19} Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {20} Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Mat 7:16-20).

 

Again, Jesus said, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Mat 12:33) 

(Phil 1:9-11)  "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; {10} That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; {11} Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

(Rom 6:16-23)  “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? {17} But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. {19} I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. {20} For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. {21} What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. {22} But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. {23} For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

This is one of the most important passages concerning the path and the product of sanctification.  Verse 23 makes a conclusion concerning the process of sanctification: 1) The wages of sin is the fruit of sin, and 2) The gift of eternal life is the fruit of salvation.

Those who intentionally, habitually disobey the Word of God are not Christians.  They belong to the second group in Psalm 1:4-6. 

(James 3:17-18)  “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. {18} And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

(Eph 5:8-9)  “{8} For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: {9} (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)”

(Titus 3:1, 14)  “{1} Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, . . .  {14} And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.”

There is a hymn in our hymnbooks entitled Trust and Obey.  Here is the first stanza:

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.

This song is in complete harmony with the first sacred song of the book of Psalms.  Frieda says her mother taught her to sing the chorus of this hymn when she was two years old. 

When Frieda and I were first married, I was in my last year of Bible College.  I was under a lot of pressure as I was taking several graduate classes.  Many a night when I felt tense, she would sing many of these godly and glorious hymns to me in the dark.  It was comforting and encouraging.

(Col 1:9-10)  "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

(To be continued)

THE FIRST SONG IN THE SACRED HYMNBOOK (continued)

   I. THE FELICITY OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:1

  II. THE FAITH OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:2

 III. THE FRUIT OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:3

 IV. THE FUTURE OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:6a

III. THE FRUIT OF THE GODLY MAN – Psalm 1:3

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psa. 1:3). 

I’ve had my handwritten notes on Psalm 1 on my desk for several weeks along with notes on several other passages of Scripture that I study daily to preach in our church here in Texas.  So I can see my notes on Psalm 1 out of the corner of my eye any time I’m at my desk.  But I felt that the Holy Spirit was stopping me from writing on the third verse of this song.  It’s not that I haven’t thought or written about this third verse.  I have thought and I have written, and I have filled my waste paper basket.  Everything was rejected.  But I have kept praying and planning and hoping to pin down my thoughts on this precious portion of this song. 

Now that I feel free to write, I want to share my thoughts about the third stanza of the first song in the sacred hymnbook: "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psa 1:3) 

I have four books on my desk written by men from four great evangelical schools that have different doctrinal emphases. They all say that the main point of this verse is “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”   I agree that this Scripture talks about the promise of prosperity in general for God’s pious people, but I think the main focus is on the fruit of the faithful.  And that is what I want to address today. 

The figures of speech in verse 3 of Psalm 1 iare not complicated concepts in the Canon of Scripture.  In fact,  they are used frequently.  The righteous are like trees planted by God in the garden of God so that they will produce Godly fruit.

So here in this verse, we are talking about spiritual fruit, which is also Scriptural fruit. 

I want to remind you of three kinds of fruit:  1) the fruit of salvation, 2) the fruit of sanctification, and 3) the fruit of service. 

These fruits are mentioned directly and indirectly throughout the Bible.  For example, Jeremiah 17:8 says:    "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."

John 15:1-16 is one of the clearest passages which speaks of these 3 kinds of fruit. 

Let us start with John 15:1-2:  "{1} I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. {2} Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

A. The Fruit of Salvation – Jn. 15:2b             

“Every branch that beareth fruit” (15:2b).

The fruit of salvation and the fruit of the Spirit are synonymous.  

The fruit of salvation is automatic.  A person does not have to ask God to give him the fruit of salvation.  When we receive salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit.  In Romans 5:1-5 we read:    "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; {4} And patience, experience; and experience, hope: {5} And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." 

Note that verse 5 indicates that “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts” automatically by the Holy Spirit.

(Gal 5:22-23)  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, {23} Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

(Rom 14:17)  "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."  Note that the fruit of the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Several years ago I was in an auto parts store waiting to be helped when all of a sudden a man sitting next to me turned toward me on his stool and said, “Brother, brother, have you received the Spirit?”  I appreciated his concern for me, but Biblically speaking, how could he ask such a question?  The Bible says in Romans 8:9:  "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."  If I did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, why did he call me “brother”?  However, I understand that a lot of people call themselves brothers in Christ, but they do not have evidence of the Holy Spirit abiding in them. 

“Every branch that beareth fruit” means a true believer in Christ.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:17a: "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit." 

Not all branches of the vine bear fruit.  This is noted in John 15:2a: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away.”

A lot of people think that they have fruit because of the blessings they have from being associated with God or with the church.

I am sure that Judas Iscariot could point to fruit that he thought was produced because of his association with Christ and the other eleven apostles.  But we know that the miracles he worked and the ministry he had were not the fruit of a branch which had a vital relationship with Christ.

The false apostles in Matthew 7:22-23 had fruit, but it was false fruit.  Look what Jesus said about them:

 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Dr. Kent, president of Grace Seminary, in his book Studies in the Gospel of John, writes: “The branches are persons who have professed faith in Christ. . . .  Fruitless branches,  [represent] persons attached in some superficial way to the vine, but without the vital life flowing through them to produce fruit” (p.180).

(To be continued)

THE FIRST SONG IN THE SACRED SONGBOOK (continued)

Introduction: For many years I knew intellectually that this was a sacred song, but I didn’t specifically think of it as a song. My first experience that I remember with Christian songs was when I was in the ranch country in Western Oklahoma the year before I was saved.  Every restaurant or store of any size had a nickelodeon, as we called them then (or juke boxes I think they are called now).  A song that was played almost constantly was “I won’t Go Hunting with You, Jake, but I’ll Go Chasing Women.”  I never put  in a nickel to hear that.  I didn’t like the song, but I did like to hunt.  I went ‘coon hunting with my dogs many of my free nights.  Then I heard a new song, “It Is no Secret what God Can Do.” Though I wasn’t a Christian, I liked the song and played it every chance I got.  One of my friends said, “Don’t you know that the same guy wrote both songs?”  I was shocked!  I began to ask people how that could be.  Then someone explained to me that the first song was one of Stuart Hamlin’s last hits before he became a Christian, and the second was written after he was saved. 

Let us look at the second stanza of the first sacred song in the Bible hymnbook:

II. THE FAITH OF THE GODLY MAN – Psalm 1:2

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (1:2).

In this second stanza of the song, the psalmist is reflecting on three things: delight in the law, deliberation in the law, and dedication to the law of God.

A. His Delight Is in the Law of the lord – Ps. 1:2a

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD” (1:2a).

To delight in the Lord means:

To be attracted to His attributes.

To be hungry for His holiness.

To long to learn about the Lord.

To feast on His spiritual food.

To want to be wise according to His Word.

To be tuned to His teaching.

To delight in His doctrine*

To love His law*

To want to walk in His will.

To have peace in His presence.

To have protection in His presence.

*Let’s look again at what it means to delight in His doctrine and to love His law. 

(Psa 119:10)  "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments."

(Psa 119:47-48)  "And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. {48} My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes."

(Psa 119:97)  "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day."

(Psa 119:140)  "Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."

(Psa 119:159)  "Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness."

(Psa 119:163)  "I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love."

(Psa 119:165)  "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

(Psa 119:167)  "My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly."

B. His Deliberation Is in the Law of the Lord – Ps. 1:2b

“And in his law doth he meditate” (1:2b).

In the beginning of my Christian life, I was given this definition of  to meditate:  “Meditation is reflective thinking with a view to application.” This definition has been a great help to me. 

Christians need to train their minds to meditate about God and His grace.

 (Josh 1:8)  "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

(Psa 119:15)  "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

(Psa 119:23)  "Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes."

(Psa 119:48)  "My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.”

(Psa 119:97)  "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day."

(Psa 143:5)  "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."

 (Psa 19:14)  "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

(Phil 4:8)  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

C. His Dedication Is to the Law of the Lord – Ps. 1:2c

“And in his law doth he meditate day and night” (1:2c).  

The godly man meditates in the Law day and night; that is, he whole heartedly walks with God, watches withGod, and waits for God.  He spends all his time (day and night) in the presence of God.  His dedication is to the Law of the Lord.

Here are some Scriptures that come to mind about being wholeheartedly dedicated to the Lord and to His Law: 

 (Jos. 1:8) “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

(2 Chron.15:15) “And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.

(Col. 3:22–23) “²²Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: ²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

(Phil. 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”—That is, think on these things day and night!

The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament has this statement at the end of the teaching on Psalm 1:2, before going on to verse 3: “This is ‘the announcement of blessings and the centrality of the Law for fulfillment in life’” (page 790).

THE FIRST SONG IN THE SACRED SONGBOOK

Some twenty years ago I was attending a pastors’ conference in California with about 2,000 pastors in attendance.  It was a new experience for me to hear that many pastors sing some of the great hymns of our faith.  After a good message, we had a twenty-minute recess. A lot of us did not leave the auditorium, but just stood up and visited.  We were commenting on the wonderful singing when one well-known pastor made this comment: “I don’t think the average Christian could sing the first verse of the first sacred hymn with a sincere heart.”  I thought that was a strange statement.  Joy bells were still ringing in my head from the great hymns we had heard an hour before.  Later when I was alone with another pastor, I mentioned that I didn’t understand why the pastor made that statement.  He said, “Oh, I can tell you.  He’s not talking about the hymn books here in back of the pews.  He is talking about Psalm One.”  To tell you the truth, I was somewhat shocked, but I didn’t want anyone to know it.  The first chance I got to be by myself, I opened the Bible to the book of Psalms and read the first verse:  "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” 

Psalm One is introduced with the words “Blessed is the man.”  We need to understand what this phrase means.  “Blessed” here means “happy” or “joyful,” but it is more than that.  This  is a declaration about a person who is godly.  The godly man is “BLESSED” with an intimate relationship with God.  The godless man (Psalm 1:3-6) is not blessed with this relationship, but he is still blessed.  "For he [God] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Mt. 5:45b). 

I. THE FELICITY OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:1

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psa.1:1).

A.  The Godly Man Does not Conform to the Council of the Ungodly – Psalm 1:1a

"Walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly"   (1:1a)

The phrase “walketh not” conveys the idea that the Godly person does not conform to the council of the ungodly because he does not listen to them nor does he learn from them.

(1 Pet 4:1-4)  "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; {2} That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. {3} For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: {4} Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:"

(1 John 2:6)  "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he [Christ] walked."

(2 John 1:4)  "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father."

(3 John 1:3)  "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth."

(1 Th 4:1)  "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more."

(Acts 9:31)  "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."

B.  The Godly Man Does not Have Communion with Sinners – Psalm 1:1b

"Nor standeth in the way of sinners" (1:1b).

The idea of “nor standeth” is that the Godly man does not linger in the company of sinners. 

I remember when I was in high school that the kids who wanted to talk about football would huddle somewhere at recess and those who wanted to talk about girls would be together on another part of the grounds.  Even as an unsaved person I noticed them gathering in groups for different reasons. 

(Eph 5:5-11)  "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. {6} Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. {7} Be not ye therefore partakers with them. {8} For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: {9} (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) {10} Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. {11} And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

                                                                                                 

C. The Godly Man Does not Congregate with the Scornful   - Psalm 1:1c

"Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (1:1c).

The expression here, “nor sitteth” conveys the idea of joining with or even judging with the scornful.  For instance, he would not join their congregation or go to the extent of becoming a leader in that kind of church.  Jesus gives us a negative example of this in Matthew 23:1-3: "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, {2} Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: {3} All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."  They should have judged according to Moses, but they didn’t.

 (2 Cor 6:11-18)  "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. {12} Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. {13} Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. {14} Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? {15} And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? {16} And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {17} Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

(2 Pet 3:3)  "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,"

The song is talking about the influence of the world in the lives of Christians.  Worldly influence always drags the saved person downward.   The progression of influence that Satan uses goes from conversation to communion to congregating.  Let us look at the three lines of the first verse of the song  again:  

1. The Godly Man Does not Conform to the Council of the Ungodly – Psalm 1:1a 
2. The Godly Man Does not Have Communion with Sinners – Psalm 1:1b 
3. The Godly Man Does not Congregate with the Scornful  - Psalm 1:1c

FACETS OF FEAR

Introduction: Usually the expression “the fear of the Lord” in the Bible refers to a profound reverence. But sometimes it refers to being afraid, for example, fearing due punishment when one disobeys Him.

I was raised on a ranch in Western Oklahoma. As a child I feared God, though most of my friends and family did not. We never went to church, but I was taught that God created the world in six days and rested the seventh. My dad never worked on Sunday because he thought it was bad luck and God would punish us if we did.

Everyone was afraid of lightning. When there was a storm we would seek shelter in the house or the barn. I remember when some of the cattle lying near a barbed wire fence were electrocuted by lightning. I heard about the father and two brothers of my brother-in-law being killed by lightning when they were working in the field. I heard people say God did those things. I feared God because I respected Him. I had so much respect for God that I carried a rabbit’s tail in my pocket all the time. It was well groomed by my fingers.

The first time I went to church, I was eighteen years old. I didn’t know what to expect as I didn’t know what a church looked like on the inside. The first message I ever heard from the pulpit was about hell. (I didn’t so much as know that thing the preacher hid behind was called a pulpit.) Before this I just throught “hell” was a curse word. The preacher showed from the Bible that it is a real place. He gave graphic illustrations from World War II of soldiers without God going into eternity with great fear. The message scared me so badly, it made me tremble. My fear subsided at the end of the service when everyone in the church began to sing.

But then after church some young people began to talk to me. They told me I was an enemy of God. I certainly didn’t think I was, but they showed me some verses in the Bible like James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (cf. Rom 8:7; Rom 5:10; Acts 13:10). I knew I was a friend of the world, and I knew I wasn’t a friend of the church, so I began to understand.

Why on earth did I go back a second time after such punishment? But I did go back every night, and by the end of the last service that week, my respect for God had changed to reverence because I had learned that God loved me even when I was a sinner and His enemy. Romans 5:8 clearly says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." When I realized that Jesus loved me enough to die for me, my heart melted. At last, I committed my life into the loving arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. I reverenced His name. I worshiped His person, ("But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Psa. 5:7-8) "There was great joy and rejoicing in my heart because of the eternal salvation that He so freely gave me. The fear that I left the church with was a fear not only of respect, but of reverence and rejoicing.

The phrase “the fear of the Lord” is used twenty-seven times in the King James Bible. It is used fourteen times in the book of Proverbs alone. It is the theme of Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord” is the basis of salvation, the basis of sanctification, and the basis for serving the Savior. “The fear of the Lord” is the key that unlocks all the intricate portions in the book of Proverbs.
Let’s begin at the beginning. “One cannot gain knowledge of spiritual things if he begins at the wrong point, refusing to fear the Lord (i.e.,to recognize God’s character and respond by revering,trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty, Old Testament. Ed. By John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Pages 907-908).

In the future I would like to share some thoughts from Proverbs and tell how the book has affected my life, so I thought I would start with this topical message that I first preached many years ago.

I. THE ESSENCE OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Webster’s Dictionary defines “essense” in several ways.  Here is the way I am using it: “The property necessary to the nature of a thing.”

A. The Beginning of the Fear of the Lord – Prov. 9:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (9:10). 

B. The Behavior of those that Fear of the Lord – Prov. 8:13

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” (8:13). 

(Deuteronomy 10:12) “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul”.

(Jeremiah 32:39–40) “³⁹And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: ⁴⁰And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me”

(Deuteronomy) 13:4  “Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

C. The Blessing of those that Fear of the Lord – Ps. 60:4

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah” (Ps. 60:4).  “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love” (Song 2:4). 

(Prov 14:26)  “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.  

(Prov 14:27) “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”

(Prov 19:23)  “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”

(Prov 22:4)  “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.”

(Psa. 34:7)  “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

(Psa 34:9)  “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”

II. THE ESTEEM FOR THE FEAR OF THE LORD  

The esteem for the fear of the Lord does not come automatically. If one does not place a high value on it, he or she will not seek it.

(Prov 2:1-5)  “{1} My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; {2} So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; {3} Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; {4} If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; {5} Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

(Isa 33:6)  “And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.”

III. THE ELECTIVE OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Again, the fear of the Lord does not come automatically.  One must consciously choose it, realizing its importance for his or her walk with the Lord here on earth.

(Prov 1:29)  "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD."

(Psa 86:11)  "Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name."

This is one of the clearest verses that explains how much David wanted to experience the fear of the Lord in his life.  He mentions three things:  1) His desire to find the will of God, 2) His desire to follow the will of God, 3) His desire for fellowship with God.

IV. THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The fear of the Lord must be taught by every means starting with the parent-child relationship. 

(Psa 34:11)  “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

(Psa 111:10)  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

(Prov 15:33)  “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”

(Eccl 12:13-14)  “{13} Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. {14} For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

(Zeph 3:7) “ I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.”

In II Kings chapter 17, God sent lions into Samaria, which at this time was an Assyrian province, to teach the people he had transplanted there the fear of the Lord.  So the king who had conquered Samaria, the northern kingdom of Israel, sent an Israelite priest back to teach the people how to worship the Lord.

V. THE EXERCISE IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD  

We must follow the principles of the Word of God in our lives.

(Acts 9:31)  “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

(Neh) 5:15)  “But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.”

 (Mal 3:16-18)  “{16} Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. {17} And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. {18} Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”

(1 Pet 1:17)  “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”

VI. THE EXHORTATION IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD

We must remember to fear of the Lord in all of life’s circumstances.

(Deu 6:24)  “And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.”

(Deu 13:4)  “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”

(Mat 10:28)  “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

VII. THE EXAMPLE OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD  

The Lord Jesus Christ is our principal example of what it means to fear God.  He always obeyed the Father.  What an example!

Isa 11:1-5)  "{1} And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: {2} And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; {3} And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: {4} But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. {5} And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins."