(Clip) Gaining the Fear of the Lord Again
David Ravenhill passionately calls believers to reclaim a reverential fear of the Lord that leads to holy hatred of sin and sincere love for God.
This sermon emphasizes the need for a holy hatred of sin and the fear of God in our lives, highlighting the importance of reverential love and respect towards God. It discusses the concept of making a covenant with God, standing in awe of His name, and turning away from iniquity. The message challenges the modern trend of avoiding preaching against sin to avoid offending people and promotes a return to true instruction and righteousness.
Full Transcript
We need a holy hatred of sin. We need the fear of God to come into our life. That reverential love.
Oh, it's not that cringing sort of a fear. It's such a love. It's like, why would I ever consider cheating on my wife? I love her dearly.
I would never look at some other woman or some other man. Why? Because I have eyes only for you. It's the same thing when it comes to the spiritual realm.
God, I have such a love for you, such a respect for you, that I would never think of doing anything else. That's why I made a covenant with Levi, because he had the fear of God. He stood in awe of my name.
Today, we're more afraid of offending people than we are of offending them. We no longer preach against sin. Why? Because somebody may leave.
We have a whole new way of presenting the gospel. Let's seek a sensitive way, again, in which God is this great, big, warm, fuzzy, love-winds-no-matter-what type thing. He says, true instruction was in his mouth, talking about Levi.
An unrighteousness was not found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and in uprightness, and he turned back many from iniquity. He turned back many from iniquity.
That is the job of those in leadership, to turn you from sin. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people, not in their sin, but from their sin. We come up with all sorts of doctrines today that give people the security that they can sin and continue on.
The very first lie the enemy ever concocted was there in the Garden of Eden, when he says, listen, you will not die. We have bought into that lock, stock, and barrel. We've promoted it.
We've done everything we can to say, listen, you cannot lose it. You're safe. You'll never die.
Go ahead, sin. Go ahead and disobey God. Live like the devil if you want.
Man found the consequences, driven out of the presence of God, vanished from the Garden of Eden. The land cursed as a result, the only way back in through the atoning blood of an animal. Separated from God.
Far too many people have bought into that. You've wearied the Lord. Wearied the Lord.
In that, you say everyone that does good is fine in the sight of the Lord. Oh, I know we have our little doctrines, our little ways of saying, you know, God puts on his rose-colored glasses, and all he sees is rose. Tell that to the seven churches of Revelation for me.
He's looking for ones that have a singleness of eye, a love for God that is supreme. He found the satisfaction again in his presence, and his presence is full and secure.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The need for a holy hatred of sin
- Understanding the fear of God as reverential love
- The example of Levi's covenant and fear of God
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II
- The current culture's fear of offending people over God
- The failure to preach against sin boldly
- The importance of turning people from iniquity
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III
- The deception of the enemy about sin's consequences
- The reality of separation from God due to sin
- The need for atonement and holiness
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IV
- Rejecting false doctrines of security in sin
- God's search for sincere love and singleness of eye
- Finding satisfaction and security in God's presence
Key Quotes
“We need a holy hatred of sin. We need the fear of God to come into our life. That reverential love.” — David Ravenhill
“He turned back many from iniquity. That is the job of those in leadership, to turn you from sin.” — David Ravenhill
“The very first lie the enemy ever concocted was there in the Garden of Eden, when he says, listen, you will not die.” — David Ravenhill
Application Points
- Cultivate a deep reverential love for God that naturally leads to turning away from sin.
- Boldly preach and live out the truth about sin and its consequences to encourage repentance.
- Reject false teachings that offer security in sin and seek genuine holiness through God's presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'fear of the Lord' mean in this sermon?
It means a reverential love and respect for God that leads to holy hatred of sin, not a cringing or fearful terror.
Why is it important to preach against sin?
Because preaching against sin helps turn people from iniquity and maintains the holiness God desires in His people.
What is the danger of the current gospel presentations mentioned?
They often promote a false security that allows people to continue sinning without repentance.
How does the sermon describe the enemy's first lie?
The enemy lied that people would not die if they sinned, leading to a denial of sin's deadly consequences.
What example from Scripture is used to illustrate fear of God?
The covenant with Levi, who stood in awe of God's name and walked in peace and uprightness.