THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
NOVEMBER 12TH, 2006
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Introduction: Solomon finishes his introduction by saying that the purpose of Proverbs is to understand “the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.” (6)
1. We must not forget the emphasis that has already been placed on godly wisdom - (seeing life from God’s perspective).
2. All of our decision-making abilities, as Christians, springs from the degree of Godly wisdom that we possess.
I. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (7)
- Remember that Knowledge is a knowledge of God, God’s Word, and God’s Will.
A. What is the fear of the Lord?
1. The fear of the Lord is having the highest respect for who God is, and what God can do because of who He is.
2. The fear of the Lord is a mental acknowledgment that God is the ultimate Person worthy of the utmost respect.
3. The fear of the Lord is also a fear of His anger and displeasure.
- Since God has all of these attributes, godly fear desires to please Him rather than anger Him.
B. Solomon speaks of fearing God several times in Proverbs.
1. Proverbs 10:27 - Fearing God lengthens your life.
2. Proverbs 14:26 - Fearing God increases your self-confidence.
3. Proverbs 14:27 - Fearing God increases the quantity of your life.
4. Proverbs 15:16 - Fearing God satisfies your desires.
5. Proverbs 31:30 - Fearing God is a woman’s greatest virtue.
C. How is fearing God “the beginning of knowledge”? (7)
1. The degree of your respect for God determines the degree of your respect for God’s Word.
2. The degree of your respect for God determines your desire to know God’s Will and do it.
3. You
cannot know more about God if you have a minimal fear of God.
II. “Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (7)
A. A fool is a person who believes, or acts like he believes, there is no God. (Psalm 14:1)
B. People who
have no fear of God despise God’s view of the world (wisdom), and they despise
God’s explanation of how
we are
to live in the world (instruction).
1. Ungodly people believe that right is wrong and wrong is right.
2. Ungodly people reject God’s explanations found in God’s Word.
3. Solomon
would place the majority of our national leaders, citizens, and even many of our
churches under the
category of “fools.”
C. Notice the word “despise.” (7)
1. Bible believing Christians live in a world that despises Bible believing Christians.
2. “Despise” means to hate with a passion.
3. If wisdom
leads to a fuller life, it would be very foolish for a Christian to yoke up,
and follow, the crowd who rejects
Godly wisdom.
Conclusion: There is a great contrast between godly and ungodly people, and is is most visible in this statement:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (7)