The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning

REFLECTION QUOTES

“…in the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”

~David Foster Wallace (1962-2008), celebrated American writer

“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman…who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”

~A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), American pastor and author

“Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.”

“There is nothing more irreligious than self-absorbed religion.”

~J.I. Packer, British-born theologian

“Remove from the Christian Religion, as Christendom has done, it’s ability to shock, and Christianity…is altogether destroyed. It then becomes a tiny superficial thing, capable neither of inflicting deep wounds nor of healing them, …it forgets the qualitative distinction between man and God.”

~Soren Kierkegaard, 19th c. Danish Philosopher

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.”

~ Proverbs 1:7 & Proverbs 14:27 (NASB)

“…Salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.”

~A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), American pastor and author

SERMON PASSAGE

Psalm 111 (NASB)

1Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord;
They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will remember His covenant forever.
6 He has made known to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.

Psalm 112 (NASB)

1 Praise the Lord!
How blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who greatly delights in His commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright;
He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;
He will maintain his cause in judgment.
6 For he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be remembered forever.

7 He will not fear evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear,
Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.
9 He has given freely to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted in honor.

10 The wicked will see it and be vexed,
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked will perish.