Bakersfield First Assembly

Acts 4:29-31 (NIV) – [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS. [30] STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God BOLDLY.

Stretch Out Your Hand to Heal

1. PRAYED UP

“Prayer is not an escape from responsibility; it is our response to God’s ability. True prayer energizes us for service and battle.” (Wiersbe)

2. SHAKEN UP

Luke 21:25-28 (NIV) – [25] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. [26] Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. [27] At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

3. FILLED UP

Acts 2:4 (NIV) – [4] All of them were FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 4:8 (NIV) – [8] Then Peter, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!”

Acts 9:17 (NIV) – [17] Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 13:9 (NIV) – [9] Then Saul, who was also called Paul, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil!”

“It is our privilege to claim repeated infillings to make good our leakage and evaporation.” (F. B. Meyer)

Isaiah 44:3 (NIV) – [3] For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants.

4. SPEAK UP

Acts 4:15-18 – [15] So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. [16] “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. [17] But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” [18] Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:19-20 (NIV) – [19] But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. [20] For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

The Book of Job

God Answers

Job 38:1 (NIV) – [1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm.

1. God often speaks to us out of the storms of life.

Job 38:2 (NIV) – [2] “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?

Mark 11:27-33 (NIV) – [27] They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. [28] “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” [29] Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [30] John’s baptism — was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” [31] They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ [32] But if we say, ‘From men’…" (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) [33] So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

2. Our questioning God is often rooted in our unbelief and lack of trust.

Romans 1:5 (NIV) – [5] Through him [Jesus Christ] and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

3. God isn’t just looking for obedience; He is looking for obedience that comes from faith.

“Darken” means to withhold light from, to hide, to obscure, to confuse.

“Counsel” means the plans, purposes, and wisdom of God.

4. When we use human reasoning to define God, we distort the truth, and we darken His counsel.

5. We don’t just need more information ABOUT God; we need a greater revelation OF God.

Job 38:3 (NIV) – [3] Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

6. If we question God on our terms, then we’d better get ready to answer Him on His terms.

Job 38:4 (NIV) – [4] “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

7. When God speaks, we realize how very little we really know.

Bakersfield First Assembly

Acts 4:29-31 (NIV) – [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS. [30] STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God BOLDLY.

2023 Theme: Stretch Out Your Hand to Heal

BOLDNESS (parrhesia [par-ray-SEE-ah]) means freedom of speech, plainness, openness, freedom in speaking; the absence of fear which accompanies freedom of speech. (Abbott-Smith Lexicon)

1. PRAYED UP

“In the face of this recent persecution, the believers spontaneously joined in prayer to acknowledge God’s sovereign control. This appeal to the God of creation shows that God, who had power to create the universe, will have power over their enemies. Everything in heaven and earth is subject to God and his will.” (Life Application NT)

“They did not ask for protection; they asked for power. They did not ask for fire from heaven to destroy the enemy but for power from heaven to preach the Word and heal the sick. Their great desire was for boldness in the face of opposition. The emphasis is on the hand of God at work in the life of the church, not the hand of man at work for God. Believing prayer releases God’s power and enables God’s hand to move.” (Wiersbe)

2. SHAKEN UP

Isaiah 6:1-3 (NIV) – [1] In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. [2] Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. [3] And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” [4] At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

Matthew 27:50-55 (NIV) – [50] And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. [51] At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. [52] The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. [53] They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. [54] When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Matthew 28:1-4 (NIV) – [1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Acts 16:22-26 (NIV) – [22] The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. [23] After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. [24] Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. [25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. [26] Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NIV) – [25] See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? [26] At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” [27] The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. [28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, [29] for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Luke 21:25-28 (NIV) – [25] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. [26] Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. [27] At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

3. FILLED UP

Acts 2:4 (NIV) – [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

“It is our privilege to claim repeated infillings to make good our leakage and evaporation.” (F. B. Meyer)

4. SPEAK UP

Acts 4:15-18 – [15] So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. [16] “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. [17] But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” [18] Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:19-20 (NIV) – [19] But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. [20] For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

The Book of Job

“The Question of the Ages—Why?”

Holding onto Hope

1. Hope distinguishes us from those who don’t know God.

2. Hope requires us to wait patiently.

3. Hope is future, faith is now.

4. Against all hope, true hope still believes.

5. Hope is the result of perseverance in the midst of suffering.

“Hope” (tiqVAH) literally means a cord, a rope, a line; figuratively, it means hope, expectation, anticipation. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary)

Psalms 62:5-6 (NIV) – [5] Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from him. [6] He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Joshua 2:17-21 (NIV) – [17] The men said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us [18] unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet CORD in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. [19] If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. [20] But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” [21] “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet CORD in the window.

6. Our hope is Jesus, our scarlet cord of salvation.

Job 19:25-27 (NIV) – [25] I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. [26] And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; [27] I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

7. Hope is found in knowing that our Redeemer lives and is coming again.

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) – [11] For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed HOPE—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Bakersfield First Assembly

Luke 23:50-54 (NIV) – [50] Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, [51] who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. [52] Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. [53] Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. [54] It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

Luke 24:1-6 (NIV) – [1] On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. [2] They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. [5] In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? [6] He is not here; he has risen!

Empty Cross + Empty Tomb = Full Life

John 10:10 (NIV) – [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Full (perissos) means overflow, beyond measure, superabundant in quantity or superior in quality, exceedingly abundantly above. (Strong’s)

John 10:10 (MSG) – [10] A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Matthew 14:20-21 (NIV) – [20] They all ate and were SATISFIED, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were LEFT OVER.

1. A life full of satisfaction

Luke 6:45 (NIV) – [45] The good man brings good things out of the GOOD stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the OVERFLOW of his heart his mouth speaks.

2. A life full of goodness

Romans 5:15 (NIV) – [15] But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the GRACE of the one man, Jesus Christ, OVERFLOW to the many!

3. A life full of grace

Romans 15:13 (NIV) – [13] May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.

4. A life full of hope, joy, and peace

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV) – [5] For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our COMFORT OVERFLOWS.

5. A life full of comfort

2 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV) – [9] If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, HOW MUCH MORE glorious is the ministry that brings RIGHTEOUSNESS!

6. A life full of righteousness

2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV) – [15] All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause THANKSGIVING to OVERFLOW to the glory of God.

7. A life full of thanksgiving

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) – [8] And God is able to make all GRACE ABOUND to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

8. A life full of grace

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) – [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have PLENTY. I have learned the secret of being CONTENT in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in PLENTY or in want. [13] I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

9. A life full of contentment

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) – [12] May the Lord make your LOVE increase and OVERFLOW for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

10. A life full of love

Matthew 21:4-5 (NIV) – [4] This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: [5] “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) – [9] Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

1. Jesus is king.

Matthew 27:11 (NIV) – [11] Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

John 18:36 (NIV) – [36] Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

2. Jesus is righteous.

Righteous means just, lawful, straight; righteousness is exhibited only through conformity to standards set out in the word of God. (Theological Wordbook of the OT)

Psalms 145:17 (NIV) – [17] The Lord is RIGHTEOUS in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

Genesis 6:9 (NIV) – [9] This is the account of Noah. Noah was a RIGHTEOUS man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Psalms 146:7-8 (NIV) – [7] The Lord sets prisoners free, [8] the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the RIGHTEOUS.

3. Jesus brings salvation.

Acts 4:12 (NIV) – [12] SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be SAVED.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) – [1] As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. [2] For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of SALVATION I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of SALVATION.

Romans 10:9 (NIV) – [9] If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be SAVED.

4. Jesus is gentle.

Gentle means lowly, humble, poor, distressed.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) – [9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) – [28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am GENTLE and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

“Meek. Humble. Gentle. Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms.” (Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly)

5. Jesus has come.

John 1:10-12 (NLT) – [10] [Jesus] came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. [11] He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. [12] But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

6. Jesus is coming.

Acts 1:9-11 (NIV) – [9] After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. [10] They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. [11] “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT) – [13] And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. [15] We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. [17] Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. [18] So encourage each other with these words.

“In the ancient Near East, rulers commonly rode donkeys if they came in peace but they rode horses into war. This verse gives one reason the Israelites should rejoice: the coming of the King. (Thomas Constable)

Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV) – [11] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. [13] He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. [14] The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

“The triumphal entry of Jesus riding into Jerusalem was predicted here more than 500 years before it happened. Just as this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came to earth, so the prophecies of his second coming are just as certain to come true. We are to be ready for his return, for he is coming!” (Life Application Bible)

Acts 4:29-31 (NIV) – [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS. [30] STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God BOLDLY.

2023 Theme: Stretch Out Your Hand to Heal

“The apostles prayed not for divine vengeance but that God would hear the threats that had been leveled against them. The believers did not pray that God would remove the threats, take away the possibility of persecution, or even protect them. Instead, they prayed that God would give the believers, his servants, great boldness in their preaching.” (Life Application NT)

BOLDNESS (parrhesia) means freedom of speech, plainness, openness, freedom in speaking; the absence of fear which accompanies freedom of speech. (Abbott-Smith Lexicon)

Acts 9:27-28 (NLT) – [27] Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached BOLDLY in the name of Jesus in Damascus. [28] So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching BOLDLY in the name of the Lord.

1. Boldness in Preaching

Jeremiah 20:8-9 (NIV) – [8] Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. [9] But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

Acts 14:3 (NLT) – [3] But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching BOLDLY about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

2. Boldness in Power

Acts 18:24-26 (NLT) – [24] Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. [25] He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. [26] When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching BOLDLY in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

3. Boldness with Accuracy

2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV) – [12] Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very BOLD.

4. Boldness in Hope

Titus 2:11-13 (NIV) – [11] For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him— The Spirit of wisdom and

understanding, The Spirit of counsel and strength, The Spirit of knowledge and of

the [reverential and obedient] fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of

the Lord… Isaiah 11:2-3 AMP

And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Heb 5:7 NLT

…and was heard because of His godly fear, Heb. 5:7 NKJV

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test

you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you will not

sin.” Exodus 20:20 NASB

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God

at all. Psalm 36:1 NLT

But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up

wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of

God, Rom. 2:5 NASB

9  For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our

Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thess. 5:9 NASB

26  Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received

knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these

sins.  27  There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire

that will consume his enemies. 28  For anyone who refused to obey the law of

Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three

witnesses.  29  Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who

have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant,

which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and

disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.  30  For we know the one

who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will

judge his own people.” 31  It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living

God. Heb. 10:26-31 NLT

20  … remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in

Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of

yourself, but fear what could happen. Romans 11:20 NLT

21  For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

22  Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who

disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you

stop trusting, you also will be cut off. Romans 11:21-22 NLT

beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting

holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor 7:1 NASB

continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect,

actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using

serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend

God or discredit the name of Christ]. Phil 2:12 AMP

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and

please God by worshiping him … Heb. 12:28 NLT

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and

please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. Heb. 12:28 NLT

8 “Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.

9  For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.” Psalm 33:8-

9 NLT

3 For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods, 4  In whose hand

are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are also His. 5  The sea

is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land. Psalm

95:3-5 NASB

20  For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.

Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his

eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Romans 1:20 NLT

2  “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you

have the answers?” 3  Then Job replied to the Lord, 4  “I am nothing—how could I

ever find the answers?... Job 40:2-4 NLT

“I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my [spiritual] eye

sees You. Job 42:5 AMP

…Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible

qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not

knowing God. Romans 1:20 NLT

The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of

His hands. Psalm 19:1 NASB

“To whom then will you compare Me That I would be his equal?” says the Holy

One. 26  Raise your eyes on high and SEE who has created these stars,

The One who brings out their multitude by number, He calls them all by name;

Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,

Not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26 NASB

6  And I saw another angel flying in midheaven with an eternal gospel to preach

to those who live on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and

people;  7  and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because

the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the

earth, and sea and springs of waters.” Rev. 14:6-7 NASB