The Development of the Fear of the Lord

Point 1 — Evidence the Bible is Divinely Inspired

Let’s begin with what the Bible says about itself.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”

That word “inspiration” literally means God-breathed. These words aren’t the thoughts of ancient men; they are the breath of God put to paper.

2 Peter 1:20–21 — “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Think about that — moved by the Holy Ghost. That means the prophets, the psalmists, and the apostles weren’t simply writing their own opinions; they were instruments in God’s hand.

Jeremiah 1:9 — “Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.”

Jeremiah didn’t claim his own authority — God literally told him, “These are My words.”

Isaiah 55:11 — “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void…”

God says His Word always accomplishes what He sends it to do.

Historical and Literary Evidence

The Bible is not a single book — it’s a library of 66 books, written over 1,500 years, by 40 different authors, in three languages, across three continents, and yet — from Genesis to Revelation — it carries one unified message:

God’s redemption of mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ.

No other collection of writings in world history comes close to this level of unity. Every prophecy, every genealogy, every moral law, every shadow in the Old Testament points forward to Christ.

Over 400 times the prophets declared: “Thus saith the LORD.”
They knew they were not speaking for themselves — they were recording divine revelation.

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Point 2 — Biblical Events Prophesied Thousands of Years in Advance

Now, one of the strongest proofs that the Bible is divine is prophecy. Only God — who exists outside of time — can declare what will happen before it does.

Isaiah 46:9–10 — “I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.”

From the very beginning, God foretold His plan of redemption.

Genesis 3:15 — The First Prophecy of the Messiah

“I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

This is known as the Protoevangelium — the first mention of the Gospel. The “seed of the woman” refers to Christ — born of a woman, without human father.

The serpent (Satan) would bruise His heel — meaning Christ would suffer, but not be destroyed. But Christ, through His death and resurrection, would crush the serpent’s head — meaning He would ultimately destroy Satan and his power forever.

That prophecy was given in the very first book of the Bible — thousands of years before Jesus came.

Other Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus Christ

• Micah 5:2 — Messiah born in Bethlehem (fulfilled in Luke 2:4–7)
• Zechariah 9:9 — King riding a donkey (fulfilled in Matthew 21:5)
• Psalm 22 — Crucifixion described centuries before crucifixion existed
• Isaiah 53 — The suffering Messiah: “by His stripes we are healed”
• Daniel 9:24–26 — Predicts exact timing of Messiah’s appearance and death

These aren’t coincidences. Statistically, the odds of one man fulfilling just 8 of these prophecies are 1 in 10¹⁷ (1 followed by 17 zeros).

To visualize it:
It’s like covering the entire state of Texas two feet deep in silver dollars, marking one, and expecting a blindfolded person to pick it up on the first try.

That’s not luck — that’s the hand of God.

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Point 3 — Evidence of Jesus Outside the Bible

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is not just a matter of faith — it is a matter of historical record. Even those who hated Christianity wrote about Him.

Hostile Historical Sources Confirm Jesus

• Tacitus — Roman historian, Annals 15.44 — Confirms Christ’s execution under Pontius Pilate.
• Josephus — Jewish historian, Antiquities 18.3 & 20.9 — Mentions His crucifixion, followers, and reported resurrection.
• Pliny the Younger — Records Christians worshiping Christ “as to a God.”
• Lucian of Samosata — Mocked believers for worshiping a crucified Savior.
• The Babylonian Talmud — Admits “Yeshu” was executed on Passover Eve.

These accounts come from people who did not believe — yet they confirm:

• Jesus lived in 1st century Judea
• He was known as a miracle worker
• He was crucified under Pilate
• His followers believed He rose from the dead
• Christianity exploded immediately after His death

Additional Ancient Evidence

• Suetonius — Reports Christian presence and unrest in Rome caused by “Chrestus.”
• Mara bar-Serapion — Speaks of the execution of the “wise King of the Jews.”
• Celsus — Pagan critic; admitted Jesus performed works and had disciples who believed He rose.
• Thallus — Attempts to explain the darkness at the crucifixion — admitting it happened.

Even those who opposed the faith conceded Jesus’ impact on history. No historian today denies His existence — the evidence is overwhelming.

Early Church Fathers — Eyewitness Disciples

• Clement of Rome — Knew Paul personally; affirmed the Resurrection.
• Ignatius of Antioch — Student of the Apostle John; wrote of Christ’s death and resurrection.
• Polycarp — Discipled by John; died for testifying Jesus rose again.

These men did not die for a story — they died for Someone they saw alive.

Acts 26:26 — “For the king knoweth of these things… this thing was not done in a corner.”

Forensic Resurrection Facts

• The Empty Tomb — Even enemies admitted the body was missing (Matthew 28:11–15).
• 400+ Eyewitnesses — Recorded publicly while many witnesses were still alive (1 Cor. 15:3–6).
• Women as First Witnesses — In a culture that did not accept women’s testimony; no one invents a weak alibi.
• Explosion of Christianity in Jerusalem — The very city where Jesus was crucified.
• Apostles died unshaken — People die for beliefs they think are true — not for lies they invent.

The resurrection was not a private legend — it was a public event with multiple records, witnesses, and hostile corroboration.

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Point 4 — The Development of the Fear of the Lord

We live in a generation that fears everything except God. Many fear rejection, sickness, finances, losing comfort, or losing approval from others — but they rarely consider the One who holds their very breath in His hands. The Bible tells us that blessed joy, true wisdom, and spiritual strength begin only when we recognize God’s rightful place in our lives. When we understand the Bible is divine, that prophecy proves God’s hand, and that history affirms His truth, there is only one right response: reverence.

Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”

The fear of the Lord does not mean terror — it means awe. It means recognizing that the same God who spoke the stars into existence also judges thoughts, motives, and actions. He is not a casual God, and His Word is not a casual word.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 — “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

When we truly believe God is holy, it changes how we see sin. We can't treat His commands like suggestions. We can’t live as though He is only watching on Sundays. And we cannot follow culture’s approval more than God’s.

• Fear of man asks: “What will people think?”
• Fear of God asks: “What does the Lord command?”
• Fear of man compromises holiness.
• Fear of God produces obedience.
• Fear of man leads to slavery.
• Fear of God leads to freedom.

Hebrews 12:28–29 — “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.”

The fear of the Lord is not about dreading punishment — it’s the reverence that comes from recognizing that He could have condemned us, but instead He saved us. It is love responding to holiness.

I don’t fear God because He might destroy me — I fear Him because He rescued me when He had every right to.

Psalm 33:8–9 — “Let all the earth fear the LORD… For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”

The fear of the Lord challenges us to examine our hearts:

• Do I read God’s Word casually — or reverently?
• Do I pray only when I need help — or because He is worthy?
• Do I care more about God’s approval — or people’s?
• Do I obey when it’s easy — or no matter what?

Philippians 2:12–13 — “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling… for it is God which worketh in you.”

When we fear God rightly, we discover:

• Wisdom — God directs our steps
• Protection — God becomes our refuge
• Joy — God’s presence becomes our delight
• Confidence — We no longer fear anything else

That reverence shapes how we pray, how we treat others, how we lead our homes, and how we live daily for the glory of God.

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Point 5 — Application and Closing

The fear of the Lord is not dread — it is devotion. It is the deep awareness that God is sovereign, holy, and near. When we take His Word seriously, that reverence begins to transform us from the inside out.

Matthew 24:35 — “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

Everything in this world is temporary — but God’s Word stands forever. And when our lives are built upon that Word, our foundation will never crumble.

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A Gospel Call — Grounded in Scripture

Salvation is not earned, purchased, or spoken into existence. It is the gift of God, given by His sovereign grace.

Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

Faith does not begin in the heart of man — it is produced by the preaching of the Word.

Romans 10:17 — “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

If you are here sensing conviction… if your heart is stirred to repent and believe… that is not your own doing — that is the Holy Spirit drawing you.

John 6:44 — “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.”

The call of the Gospel is simple and urgent: Repent of your sin, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

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A Call to Sanctification — For Believers

For those already in Christ — the fear of the Lord does not push us away… it draws us near in loving obedience.

John 14:15 — “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

A reverent fear of God:

• Humbles our pride and self-will
• Strengthens our holiness and integrity
• Deepens our worship and prayer
• Guides how we lead our homes and love others

The same grace that saves us also changes us.

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Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word — living, powerful, and eternal. Cause our hearts to fear You rightly — not in terror, but in awe and reverence. Draw sinners to repentance by Your Spirit, and make Your people holy by Your truth. Conform us to the image of Christ, and help us to delight in Your commandments. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.