Father's Day Message
Sunday, June 18, 2000   

Is there a cure for America’s sin sickness? Is there a remedy for this country’s moral decay? The one and only cure, the only remedy for a nation as corrupt as ours is the presence of a righteous and God fearing people led by God fearing fathers. You see dear friend, it is essential that God’s people be totally dedicated to Him.

This nation will be strong when our churches are strong. Our churches will be strong when our families are strong. Our families will be strong when we have God fearing fathers who are strong spiritual leaders.

To have God fearing fathers, they must understand what the fear of God is and what benefits are derived from fearing God.

I. WHAT THE FEAR OF GOD IS

      A. The fear of the Lord is a continual awareness that we are in the presence of God who is holy, just and almighty, and that every thought, every word, every action and every deed is open before Him and is being judged by Him.

           1. Men, if you and I knew that all of our secret thoughts, words and actions were going to be displayed publicly so that everyone could watch them and evaluate them. It would make a real difference in the way we live.

           2. Let us personalize this, how would the fear of God change your life?

                a. What thoughts would change?

                b. What words would not be spoken?

                c. What actions would stop?

                d. What attitudes would be corrected?

                e. What motives would become pure?

      B. The scriptures teach that God is omnipresent. He sees all and hears all.

           1. When Hagar fled from Sarah, she said: “... Thou God seest me...” (Genesis 16:13).

           2. Psalm 139:2-12 teaches us that God knows our thoughts and ways.

           3. Psalm 94:9, “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?”

           4. God sees and ponders our lies, our immorality, etc. It is all bare before him (Proverbs 5:21; 15:3).

      C. Christian dad, one day you will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ, and we will be judged according to what we have done (II Corinthians 5:10). One day our lives will be revealed (Luke 12:3).

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF FEARING GOD

      A. The wonderful rewards of learning the fear of God are emphasized in the Word of God.

      B. There are many benefits for you if you will learn to fear God in an ungodly world. The following benefits will be yours if you will learn to fear God.

           1. Overcoming sinful habits (Proverbs 16:6).

           2. Contentment (Proverbs 15:16).

           3. Self-esteem victory over depression, confidence (Proverbs 14:26).

           4. Fulfilled living, satisfaction in life (Proverbs 19:23).

           5. Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10 15:33).

           6. Experiencing God’s goodness (Psalm 31:19).

           7. Constant protection (Psalm 33:18-19).

           8. Deliverance from trouble (Psalm 34:7). We cannot know how often God has kept from trouble those that fear him.

           9. Sharing the secrets of the Lord. The more you love and fear Him, the more you will share in His secrets (Psalm 25:14).

           10. Bringing delight to the Lord (Psalm 147:11).

III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FEARING GOD

      A. Without the fear of God there is no restraint of evil (Romans 3:12-1 8).

      B. There is no effective church discipline (Acts 5:5; I Timothy 5:20).

      C. There is no guard against lost folks getting into the church (Acts 5:11-1 3).

      D. There is no perfecting of holiness. You will never be right are happy unless you fear God (II Corinthians 7:1).

      E. You cannot witness effectively (1 Peter 3:15).

CONCLUSION: Without the fear of God you will never be what you should or could be for God.