Fear Of The Lord (Video)
Winkie Pratney teaches that the foundational requirement God asks of us is the fear of the Lord, a reverent awe that precedes love, obedience, and knowledge, and is essential for true wisdom and relationship with God.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord as the foundational aspect before understanding love, service, obedience, and walking in God's ways. It explores the concept of the fear of the Lord in relation to God's immense greatness, power, beauty, majesty, and purity, highlighting the transformative impact of encountering God's presence and holiness. The sermon also touches on the significance of repentance, obedience to the Holy Spirit, and public confession of Christ as essential for revival and spiritual awakening.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the fear of the Lord as the first requirement from God
- Common misconceptions about what God first requires
- Scriptural foundation from Deuteronomy 10:12
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II
- Exploring the meaning of 'fear' in the Bible
- Contrasting fear with love and power from 1 John 4:18 and 2 Timothy 1:7
- The complexity of fear as reverence versus fear as timidity
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III
- Legitimate reasons for fear in human experience
- Why God is not to be feared as a hostile or monstrous being
- God’s perfect moral character and loving intent
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IV
- Different causes of awe and fear: size, power, beauty, dignity, purity
- Examples illustrating these causes
- The rarity and power of purity in inspiring reverent fear
Key Quotes
“The very first thing that God lists before all these other true and significant and important things is the thing that is most missing from the Western world and that is the fear of the Lord.” — Winkie Pratney
“God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of power, of love and of self-discipline.” — Winkie Pratney
“God is the most beautiful being in the universe. He is not ugly. He is not monstrous. God has perfect moral character. He is absolutely wonderful.” — Winkie Pratney
Application Points
- Cultivate a reverent awe of God as the foundation for your spiritual growth and wisdom.
- Understand that fearing God is not about terror but about honoring His holiness and love.
- Allow the fear of the Lord to guide your decisions and obedience to His commandments.