Teach You the Fear of Jehovah

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Psalm 34:11
Psalters: 278, 425, 382, 89
Sacrament of Baptism
  1. What we are to teach.
    1.  There are two parts to this “fear.”
      1. One part is a sense of terror or dread (though not dominant), so we want to run away.
      2. The second part is a sense of reverential awe (this is dominant), a veneration of the respected, so we want to draw near.
      3. Examples of both parts being present: Jacob (Gen. 28:17), Moses (Ex. 3:6b), Isaiah (6:5,8), and Peter (Luke 5:8,11).
    2. The three essential elements of the fear of Jehovah.
      1. A fuller and more correct understanding of God and His character (Rev. 15:3,4; Prov. 9:10).
      2. A pervasive awareness of His presence (Psalm 139:1-18).
      3. A constraining awareness of my obligations to Him.
  2. The fear of Jehovah is something which can be taught and learned (cf. Deut. 14:23; 17:19; 31:12,13).
    1. It is given by God in faith (Jer. 31:33); and thus there is no fear of God in natural man (Ps. 36:1; Rom. 3:18).
      1. How does God impart this fear of Himself?
      2. The right response of the believing mind to the sight of God is a blessing of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:38-40).
    2. Specific ways to teach, maintain, and increase the fear of Jehovah.
      1. Already now, when Grady is an infant, cease not praying our heavenly Father regenerate him and give him this fear of God.
      2. Teach Grady about God, that there is a God who must be worshipped, thanked, and feared.
      3. Teach the Scriptures (cf. Ps. 19:9a with 7,8).
      4. Teach Grady about God forgiving all our sins, the fact, the way God accomplished it, and demonstrate it (Ps. 130:4).
      5. Keep reminding Grady of his obligations to God, as his Creator and as his Redeemer.
      6. Encourage friendships with those who fear Jehovah (Ps. 119:63).