The Fear of the Lord, Treasure of the Church

Summary

On this Sunday in the Pentecost season, the message opens with Malachi 4:1-2. A burning day of judgment awaits the proud and wicked, but those who fear God's name will go out leaping for joy like calves released to spring pasture. The preacher even shows a video of cattle let out after a long winter to picture that release into joy.

The heart of the message is the fear of the Lord. At Pentecost (Acts 2:43) reverent fear came upon every soul, and in that atmosphere the first church saw many wonders. The fear of God is the indicator of His presence; it both restrains us from sin and moves us to obey His word. The preacher traces it through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and warns from Jeremiah 2:19 that forsaking God and losing His fear throws the door of sin wide open.

Believers did not receive a spirit of slavery and worldly dread (Romans 8:15) but revere the Lord rather than fearing what the world fears. The fear of God is a treasure (Isaiah 33:6) that the enemy works to steal. Using Ezra's grief and repentance, the preacher calls the church to examine their lives, put away hidden sin, and let holy reverence fill their hearts so they walk in holiness and see God's power again.

Key Points

• Those who fear the Lord go out rejoicing like calves set free, while the proud face the burning day of judgment (Malachi 4).
• The fear of God is the indicator of His presence; where reverence is, wonders and signs follow (Acts 2:43).
• Holy fear both holds us back from sin and stirs us to obey God's word.
• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all walked with God because they carried His fear in their hearts.
• We received the Spirit of adoption, not of slavery, so we revere God instead of fearing what the world fears (Romans 8:15).
• The fear of the Lord is a treasure the enemy longs to steal; guard it through prayer and the Word.
• Like Ezra, examine your life, repent of hidden sin, and let reverence bring revival and holiness.