Why are we so uncomfortable with the idea that we’re to fear God? Whenever it comes up, we get responses ranging from, “That’s just wrong; God is a God of love not fear” to “When it says ‘fear’ it means ‘awe’ or ‘reverence’” when in fact, the real response to the presence of God by sinful humans, even believing ones, is terror. There’s no escaping that, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Not reverence. Not awe. Fear. Bone-rattling terror. We see it when Moses, Isaiah, Paul, and John came somewhat close to God’s presence. “Woe is me!” said Isaiah, “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!” Daniel recounted what he saw in his vision of the throne room of God, and no one would deny the frightening nature of the scene (Daniel 7:9-10). In our passage this Sunday, “Fear fell upon” the residents of Ephesus because there were some who were toying with the name of Jesus and with evil spirits. Ultimately, “The name of the Lord Jesus was extolled” and the gospel had its effect and people were converted. As we study Acts 19:11-20 together, we’ll see what is means for us to truly fear God.

Series: The Acts of the Apostles

Todd Dugard

Message: 52 – Fear fell upon them all

Harvest Bible Chapel

Text: Acts 19:11-20

June 9, 2024

If I truly feared God…

…I would perhaps see more miracles (v. 11-12)

The miracles wrought by the apostles are never presented as ends in themselves but always as opportunities, assistance to faith and commitment.

John B. Polhill

…I would not be so flippant with his name (v. 13-14)

Exodus 20:7

What does it really mean to take the Lord's name in vain

Kevin deYoung

https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-does-it-really-mean-to-take-the-lords-name-in-vain/

Matthew 15:8

…I would worship him more intensely (v. 15-17)

Fear – a state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern for impending pain, danger, evil.

L&N 25.251

It's very important that we learn to fear God in order that we may fear nothing else.

Elisabeth Elliot

The fear of the Lord is the humble recognition of who God is and the appropriate human response to him.

Wendy Widder

…I would be done with anything remotely evil in my life (v. 18-19)

…I would witness the Word of God’s powerful effect all around me (v. 20)

John 5:39

The fear of the LORD is such a reverential awe of God that grips your heart that you're willing to listen to His wisdom, you're willing to submit to His commands, you're willing to surrender your will to His will, and you're willing to rest in the awesome promises of His grace. The fear of the LORD makes you run toward Him, not away from Him and causes you to live in a way you would not live apart from Him. It's the fear of the LORD that caused David to walk into that valley of Elah and to challenge that great warrior, Goliath. It's the fear of the LORD that made Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego unafraid of the threats of Nebuchadnezzar. And, it’s the fear of the LORD that has propelled all of His saints to live as soldiers of light in a darkened world.

Paul David Tripp