(Clip) How Do You Fear God？
John Piper teaches that fearing God means reverently acknowledging His holiness and power, leading believers to humbly and tremblingly run to Him rather than away.
This sermon emphasizes the concept of fearing God as acknowledging His power, holiness, and awesomeness, leading us to run to Him rather than away from Him. Fearing God is not a mere requirement but a posture of covenant-keeping, receiving Jesus, and approaching Him with reverence, humility, and without presumption. The sermon highlights the importance of trembling in God's presence, coming with a broken and contrite heart, and working out salvation with fear and trembling to avoid destruction away from Him.
Full Transcript
Here's what I think fearing God means today. I think fearing God means that God is, in your mind and heart, so powerful and so holy and so awesome that you would not dare to run away from Him, but only run to Him. In other words, fearing God is not another requirement.
It's the way you do covenant keeping. It's the way you receive Jesus. It's the way you come to Jesus.
You come reverently. You come humbly. You come without any presumption that you deserve anything or He owes you anything.
You come trembling, or as we saw in Psalm 51, you come with a heart that is broken and contrite. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Tremble, if you ever feel any inclination to leave this God.
There is only destruction away from Him. Oh, how we should fear to leave the Lord. Tremble in His presence that He would so graciously receive us, forgive all of our sins, and make an everlasting future.
So many people do not fear their carnal departures. They don't tremble.
Sermon Outline
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I. Understanding the Fear of God
- God's holiness and power inspire reverence
- Fear of God is not a mere requirement but a relational posture
- It motivates covenant keeping and receiving Jesus
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II. The Attitude of Coming to God
- Approach God reverently and humbly
- Come without presumption or entitlement
- Come with a broken and contrite heart
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III. The Consequences of Fear and Unfear
- Tremble at the thought of leaving God
- Recognize destruction comes from departing from Him
- Appreciate God's gracious forgiveness and promise of eternity
Key Quotes
“Fearing God means that God is, in your mind and heart, so powerful and so holy and so awesome that you would not dare to run away from Him, but only run to Him.” — John Piper
“You come reverently. You come humbly. You come without any presumption that you deserve anything or He owes you anything.” — John Piper
“Tremble, if you ever feel any inclination to leave this God. There is only destruction away from Him.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Approach God daily with reverence and humility, recognizing His holiness.
- Examine your heart regularly to ensure you come to God without presumption or entitlement.
- Cultivate a healthy fear of departing from God by remembering the consequences of turning away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to fear God according to John Piper?
It means recognizing God's holiness and power so deeply that you come to Him humbly and reverently, not running away but running toward Him.
Is fearing God a requirement or a way of living?
Fearing God is not just a requirement but the way to keep covenant and receive Jesus.
How should one come to God?
With reverence, humility, without presumption, and with a broken and contrite heart.
Why should believers tremble in God's presence?
Because leaving God leads to destruction, and trembling shows reverence for His grace and forgiveness.
What biblical passage highlights coming with a broken heart?
Psalm 51 emphasizes coming with a heart that is broken and contrite.