Acts 9:31 NIV Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Luke 12:4-7 NIV 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Isaiah 33:6b The fear of the Lord is His treasure

How do you handle something you treasure? Are you casual about it or with great care?

Isaiah 11:3a ESV And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. Jesus’s delight is the fear of the lord.

Phil 2:12 NIV Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling

The fear of the Lord is to be terrified of being away from God.

Exodus 20:20 NLT “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”

Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family

Proverbs 8:13 NLT All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

Romans 12:9 ESV Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Hebrews 1:9 NLT God says to the Son (Jesus) You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

When you fear the Lord you obey God…

…immediately

…even if it doesn’t make sense

…even if you don’t see a benefit

3 Outcomes of this season as we grow in walking in a healthy fear of the Lord:

1) Fall more in love with Jesus

Psalm 34:9 NIV "Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing."

Psalm 85:9 NLT Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory

Psalms 112:1 NLT Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.

2) Keep you from sin

Proverbs 16:6 NLT Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

Psalms 130:3-4 NLT Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

3) Free you from fear of man

Proverbs 29:25 NLT Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety

Proverbs 14:27 NLT Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain, it offers escape from the snares of death.

Signs of fear of man:

-You need praise to feel good

- You pretend to agree (want to fit in, don’t want to make waves, have a hard time saying no)

- You feel responsible for how other people feel

Luke 12:8-9 NIV “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.

“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” -Oswald Chambers

Psalm 25:14 ESV The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,

John 15:14 NLT You are my friends if you do what I command

James 4:4 NLT You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.