LifePointe Church - Crowley, TX - Messy Series - Part 2 - A Messy View Of God

A MESSY VIEW OF GOD

“HONEY, WE SHRUNK OUR GOD” COMMON “MESSY” VIEWPOINTS

“Snoozing Grandfather” God

“Aspirin Bottle” God

“Blue Genie” God

“Bug Zapper” God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . . the fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will sleep well . . . Â

I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good . . .

And I will help them fear Me in their hearts so they will not turn away from Me. (Proverbs 9:10, 19:23, Jeremiah 32:39-40 – New Life Version)

An acute awareness of God's presence and power producing in me a sense of awe and wonder that calls forth from me honor, respect and reverence.

“FEAR”LESS CHRISTIANS

We don’t really fear God when we forget Him

The LORD promised . . . that he would give you this land. Now he . . . gives you large towns, good buildings that you didn't build, houses full of good things that you didn't put there . . . Â

wells that you didn't have to dig, vineyards and olive orchards that you didn't have to plant. But when you have eaten so much that you can't eat any more, don't forget it was the LORD Â

who set you free from slavery and brought you out of Egypt. Worship and obey the LORD your God with fear and trembling, and promise that you will be loyal to him . . . Â

The LORD your God is with you . . .

Always obey the laws that the LORD has given you and live in a way that pleases him.

(Deuteronomy 6: 10-18 – Contemporary English Version)

We don’t really fear God when we ignore Him

He had seven hundred wives . . . and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods,

and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God . . .

Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely . . .

The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

(1 Kings 11:3-4, 6, 9 – New International Version)

. . . God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all smoke screens and holds you to what you've done . . . Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook . . .

God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. You're not getting by with anything.

Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire . . .

(Romans 2:2, 4-5 – The Message) Â

We don’t really fear God when we reject Him

What can be known about God is clear to them because he has made it clear to them. From the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature,

have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse. They knew God but did not praise and thank him for being God. Instead, their thoughts were total nonsense,

and their misguided minds were plunged into darkness. While claiming to be wise, they became fools . . . And because they thought it was worthless to acknowledge God,

God allowed their own immoral minds to control them . . .

Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They refused my advice.

They despised my every warning.

They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. They will be stuffed with their own schemes.

(Romans 1:19-22, 28, Proverbs 1:29-31 – God’s Word Translation)

NO FEAR OR KNOW FEAR

God deserves our respect, reverence and awe

Remember that I, the LORD Almighty, am holy; I am the one you must fear.

(Isaiah 8:13 – Good News Bible)

God knows everything we think, say or do

No one can hide from God. His eyes see everything we do.

We must give an answer to God for what we have done.

(Hebrews 4:13 – New Live Version)

Therefore, we should live with a sense of fear (the right kind) Â

The Father is the One Who judges you by what you do. He does not respect one person more than another. If you call Him Father,

be sure you honor Him with love and fear all the days of your life here on earth.

(1 Peter 1:17 – New Life Version)

WHAT IS YOUR FEAR FACTOR?

The fear of God will keep our hearts pure Â

From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!"

(Exodus 20:20 – New Living Translation)

The fear of God will keep our love strong Â

. . . what would the Lord your God have you do, but to go in the fear of the Lord your God, walking in all his ways and loving him

and doing his pleasure with all your heart and all your soul . . .

(Deuteronomy 10:12 – Bible in Basic English)

The fear of God will keep our lives focused Â

. . . let reverence for the LORD be the concern of your life.

(Proverbs 23:17 – Good News Bible)

"The mystics always talk about terror and I've never understood it, although I do now. It's the recognition of what truth means.

Truth is frightening, terrifying.

I'm not sure I really want to be with the truth which is why we work so hard to control it, suppress it,

and take the life out of it.

When the guys were in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm, I'm convinced that they

were more afraid when the storm was over. They knew the terror of near death in a storm, but now they knew a new terror.

The terror of a God who can calm a storm. And I don't think there are enough terrified people in the church.

The church is made up of people who have God all figured out."

(Mike Yaconelli)

Let’s Pray