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Godly Fear is Humble Reverence

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

The fear and trembling before God is more like reverence and awe instead of abject terror. It leads us to total dependence upon God with a desire to repudiate sin.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty, Part Three: The Fruits

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Fully accepting God's sovereignty is foundational to a life of faith, as it establishes our proper standing in relation to Him and His purpose. Not knowing God promotes irreverence and disobedience, as seen in Pharaoh's defiance when he questioned, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?" Conversely, knowing God fosters the fear of God and humility before Him, leading to obedience. Understanding His sovereignty removes any ground for self-reliance or boasting, for salvation is of the Lord and by His grace through faith. This awareness drives us to praise Him for His glory and to desire salvation for the purpose of humbling ourselves before Him that we might glorify Him. As we come to see God, His Word becomes the only standard that truly meets our approval, creating a childlike attitude of dependency and an awareness of our littleness compared to Him. Without contact with Him and submission to His purpose and plan, there is no salvation, compelling us to give our whole-hearted submission to Him. Fully accepting God's sovereignty produces valuable fruits: the fear of God, humility, submissiveness, and uncomplaining endurance.

Sin, Christians, and the Fear of God

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Bible's writers emphasize sin as a major impediment to achieving God's purpose for creating mankind, viewing it as a failure that separates us from Him. Isaiah 59:1-2 highlights this estrangement, stating that our iniquities have hidden His face from us, so that He will not hear. This separation is critical because our relationship with Him is the source of our power to succeed, as He created us for an everlasting, harmonious relationship. Sin destroys this bond, making it impossible to fit within a non-sinning relationship with Him. God does not sin, for sin destroys relationships, and a continuing life of sin destroys any hope of oneness with Him. His warning in Genesis 4:7 to Cain underscores sin's menacing presence as an enemy that must be defeated to His satisfaction for us to be accepted and to continue our eternal relationship with Him. Overcoming sin, though formidable, is not hopeless, and requires consistent study of His Word to recognize and resist its presence. The fear of God is an essential attitude for overcoming sin, as expressed in Psalm 2:11, which commands us to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. This fear, different from worldly fears, must be learned, as noted in Psalm 34:11, and is not replaced by love for God but works hand in hand with it. Philippians 2:12 urges us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, reflecting the seriousness of our task. This godly fear, ranging from mild apprehension to outright terror, fosters a strong sense of obligation and humble gratitude towards Him, driving an intense desire never to sin again and dishonor the relationship with One so great who pays attention to the undeserving.

The Fear of God (Part Four)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The fear of God is the first line of defense, keeping us from profaning God's name, tarnishing the image of the Lord, and defending us from pain and/or death.

The Fear of God (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even before we acquire the necessary building blocks of faith, hope, and love, we must acquire the fear of God, which unlocks the treasures of God.

The Fear of God (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must have established some relationship with God before we can rightly fear Him. A holy fear is the key to unlocking the treasuries of salvation and wisdom.

Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must continually upgrade our decorum and formality in our approach to God. What is practiced on the outside reinforces what is on the inside.

Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The notion that it does not matter what we wear if our heart is right on the inside is foolish. Our clothing ought to reflect our inward character.

Faith, Hope, and the Worship of God (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Using assumptions, some have concocted some nine conflicting calendars. The preservation of the oracles has not been entrusted to the church but to the Jews.

Respect or Respect of Persons?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

What is the proper balance between respecting someone and showing respect of persons? How should Christians treat each other in formality among church members?

What Do You Fear? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Fear can be broken down into two broad categories: the fear of God and the fear of everything else. If we fear God, we will not need to fear anything else.

The Elements of Motivation (Part One): Fear

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though a Christian's potential is so wonderful, it is still necessary for God to motivate His children to reach it. This begins with the fear of God.

Deuteronomy: Fear

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When people allow fear to rule them, they lose their mind. Fear of God, however, is not mind killing, but inspires a reverential awe of the Creator.

Deuteronomy (Part 5)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's faithfulness is the foundation of our faith. We cannot live by faith unless we believe we have a God who is faithful in everything He does.

Deuteronomy and History

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Israelites lost their identity when they went into captivity. They failed to teach their children, to keep the Sabbath, and to remember who they were.

Deuteronomy (Part 4)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we learn to fear and love God, loyalty, faithfulness and commandment-keeping will naturally follow, and we will instinctively hasten to depart from evil.

Deuteronomy and Idolatry

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We are admonished to internalize the book of Deuteronomy in preparation for our future leadership roles.

The Fifth Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The fifth commandment stands at the head of the second tablet of the Decalogue, which governs our human relationships. It is critical for family and society.

A Priceless Gift

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's people are the precious jewels (or the private, personal possessions) of God, obligated to conform exclusively to His will and purpose.

Building the Wall (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Building a wall requires standing, holding firm, showing alertness and a readiness for action, even if it requires self-denial and unpleasant dirty work.