This week we watched another short video by Francis Chan from the BASIC.series entitled "Fear God." This series has such a clear, concise message to share on each topic addressed.

Chan begins by highlighting Psalm 111:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!"

Without a proper fear of the Lord, we lack wisdom and understanding in living our lives as Christians.

Chan describes how the church he grew up in reduced the fear of God to a "healthy respect" or "awe." He says, "I would read the Bible and say, 'Are you sure about that? It sure looks like real fear to me!' When people came in contact with God, it didn't look like respect or awe – it appears that they are terrified."

He cites Isaiah 6:1-7, where Isaiah the prophet "saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." Isaiah did not say, "I'd better muster up some respect and awe." Instead, he actually said, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"

When John, the one "who Christ loved," saw the risen Christ he "fell at his feet as though dead" (Revelation 1:17).

This is not a neat little God we can control. Chan says, "It's really weird to me how nowadays people talk about God with such an arrogance. They talk like they're the first person that will be able to come before God and question Him... the reality is, whoever you are, the moment you see God, you are going to fear Him." We are sinners saved only by His grace. We have no righteousness in ourselves. "And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness'" (Jeremiah 23:6).

In Isaiah 44:7, God says, "Who is like me? Let him proclaim it." He continues, "Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen." It is absurd to challenge God.

As Chan says: This isn't a popular way to talk. We want a more manageable God. We want to give God our side of the story, and explain things to Him. "We're almost embarrassed about how powerful our God truly is, and that He speaks so boldly about Himself, and that He tells us to fear Him."

But in the next verse of Isaiah 44, God says, "Fear not, nor be afraid."

This seems confusing at first. These two ideas seem at odds. But as Chan sums it up, God is saying, "I am this amazing God that you ought to fear, but once you get to that point, you don't have to fear Me." Isaiah is comforted with the words, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." Fear not. When John fainted at the sight of the risen Christ, Jesus "laid his right hand on [John], saying, 'Fear not.'"

Rather than challenge God, we can find security in Him. He calls us His children. What is more secure than a child in the care of a loving parent? How much more secure are we in God?

Romans 8:31 says, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" "The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble" (Proverbs 19:23).

Chan ends by saying, "Without the fear of the Lord, you're not going to understand why you should follow Jesus. Without a proper understanding of the fear of the Lord, we wouldn't understand the power that's available to us through the Holy Spirit...God wants you to fear Him, because that's going to lead you to a life that you've never had, and it's a better life...it's a secure life ... it's a life that we were created for."

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Chan describes how the church he grew up in reduced the fear of God to a "healthy respect" or "awe." What does the fear of the Lord look like in scripture?

• Note To Parents: In Isaiah 6:1-7, where Isaiah the prophet "saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple," Isaiah did not say, "I'd better muster up some respect and awe." Instead, he actually said, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" When John, the one "who Christ loved," saw the risen Christ he "fell at his feet as though dead" (Revelation 1:17).

2. How does Chan describe the arrogance of man and the reality of God's unbelievable power?

• Note To Parents: Chan says, "It's really weird to me how nowadays people talk about God with such an arrogance. They talk like they're the first person that will be able to come before God and question Him... the reality is, whoever you are, the moment you see God, you are going to fear Him." We are sinners saved only by His grace. We have no righteousness in ourselves. "And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness'" (Jeremiah 23:6). In Isaiah 44:7, God says, "Who is like me? Let him proclaim it." He continues, "Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen." God is highlighting the absurdity of challenging Him. As Chan says: This isn't a popular way to talk. We want a more manageable God. We want to tell Him things and explain things. "We're almost embarrassed about how powerful our God truly is, and that He speaks so boldly about Himself, and that He tells us to fear Him."

3. What is the surprising end state of the fear of God?

• Note To Parents: God says, "Fear not, nor be afraid." This seems confusing at first. These two ideas seem at odds. But as Chan sums it up, God is saying, "I am this amazing God that you ought to fear, but once you get to that point, you don't have to fear Me." Isaiah is comforted with the words, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." Fear not. When John fainted at the sight of Jesus, Jesus "laid his right hand on [John], saying, 'Fear not.'" Rather than challenge God, we can find security in Him. He calls us His children. What is more secure than a child in the care of a loving parent? How much more secure are we in God? Romans 8:31 says, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" "The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble" (Proverbs 19:23).

GOD BLESS YOUR MINISTRY TO YOUR TEEN!

I am always available to each of you.

Mike Childress