ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
Fear God
Text: I Peter 2:11-17 IBCWPM May 9, 2007
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Illustrated by Jose B. Cabajar
A man who is God-fearing is wise, but a man who mocks his Creator will surely go into the pit of destruction. In the highest level, God must be revered.
Godly fear is a protective attitude against wickedness. People who possess it will be shielded by the loving hand of the Lord. Fear of God produces integrity which keeps a man from shameful acts.
In Genesis 20:3-6, it is written, But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. (KJV)
We must keep in mind that true Christians have the power over wickedness. How sad because many professing Christians are not using the power of the Holy Ghost in times of temptation. As a shameful result, lives are being destroyed and the image of Christianity is being stained.
Without fear of God, believers could never shine for Christ. For such reason, fear of God is a “must-have” for all Christians so they could shine as they ought to.
There are many ways we could show that we really fear God. A deeper study on what the Apostle Peter wrote to the Christians in his time will surely give us a wider understanding on how we could demonstrate the true fear of God.
(I) We Must Respect Our Heavenly Citizenship
I Peter 2:11-12 Philippians 3:20-21
The way we behave in this present world reveals how we respect our heavenly citizenship. In I Peter 2:11-12, it is written, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (KJV)
Our pure manner of life creates a pivotal role in reaching the lost. Christians must show their high respect for their heavenly citizenship by avoiding fleshly lusts which war against the soul. In I Peter 1:15-16, it is written, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV) May the “like-Father-like-son image” be seen in our lives at all times.
(II) We Must Respect God-given Authorities In Our Land
I Peter 2:13-15
Giving respect to God-given authorities in our land is one way of demonstrating our reverence to God. How could we give our highest respect to the unseen and Holy God if we cannot even show our due respect to the visible authorities of the land?
In I Peter 2:13-15, it is written, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (KJV) May our good testimonies become a well-treasured key to unlock foolish people from the chain of ignorance.
(III) We Must Not Abuse Our Freedom
I Peter 2:16-17
We must keep in mind that Christians have the highest level of freedom because Christian liberty comes not from men but from the Lord Jesus Christ. This freedom is a privilege for us to love and to enjoy.
The Bible says in I Peter 2:16-17, As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (KJV) Don’t ever serve God with evil intention, but fear Him in Truth. We must keep in mind that Christian liberty is an appropriated freedom guided by the principles of truth. Liberty without verity is vanity.
May we not abuse our God-given freedom by embracing worldly philosophy, but guard it and love it for the sake of the Truth and for the benefit of those people who really seek the way of Truth. Fear God and be blest, and be a blessing to others.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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