Derek looks at the early church in the book of Acts. As the church walked in the fear of the Lord, they had peace, were edified, and they multiplied. Fear of the Lord also produces submission to one another, and is important to our conduct here on earth.

In this study today we see Jesus in Isaiah’s prophecy—Isaiah 11:1–3—with the seven Spirits of God resting on Him, and His delighting in the spirit of the fear of the Lord. Derek emphasizes that if Jesus needed the fear of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit imparted it to Him, how much more do we stand in need?

Today Derek begins looking at what the fear of the Lord is, using a picture from the natural that illustrates the spiritual realm. He then explains how this fear is worked out: by having no other gods before the Lord, giving God total preeminence, and an absolutely unique place in our lives.

Derek begins this study of the fear of the Lord by looking at fear that is not from God so we can recognize the difference. Natural fear, demonic fear, religious fear, and the fear of man; these he breaks down to show us what marks them out.

Derek finishes this week discussing how our will must be submitted to God’s will—even before we know just what that is. As we commit ourselves to this, God will unfold His will and it will be our place to walk it out, as Jesus did, and thus glorify God in our lives.

Today Derek looks at how Jesus resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem where He knew His crucifixion awaited. He knew this was His Father’s will and that suffering and death were to be the way. But through it all, redemption for mankind would be accomplished. Jesus knew what He had to do, and did not turn from it.

To illustrate Jesus’ commitment to God’s will a little further, Derek points to His willingness to set aside His own will —no matter what that may have been —and do His father’s will instead. This death to self brings life to others. Jesus always looked to the end of something, the finished work He saw set before Him.

Today we look at some events in the life of Jesus where He practically worked out His commitment to do God’s will, and the results that followed. Jesus experienced physical restoration and a proper vision of the situation in his encounter with the woman at the well. His judgment was just because He sought God’s will first and so received discernment.

This week Derek asks us if we know what God has planned as our objective for living. He looks at the supreme example of Jesus—what motivated Him to fulfill God’s plan, that which was written about Him in Scripture. Derek then shows how our motivation should be the same, to find and do God’s will for us.

Using the pattern of the Old Testament Passover, Derek shows how this is a picture of Jesus, the Lamb who was sacrificed, and he brings out the importance of Jesus’ shed blood. The personal application of this truth comes when we testify about what the Word of God says the blood of Jesus does for us.