There Is No Fear of God Before Their Eyes

Text: Romans 3:10-18

 

I.         Most of us have been burnt one time or another.

            A.        The memory of the sharp pain makes a lasting impression. As a result, we hold a healthy respect for fire and other hot things. The fear of what fire could do generates a respect for fire.

            B.        The concept of respect and fear often go hand-in-hand.

            C.        The thieves on the crosses had this conversation - Luke 23:39-41

                        1.         “Where,” one thief asked, “is your fear of God?”

                        2.         Even on the doorstep of death, the thief did not consider that soon he would appear before the judgment seat of God.

                        3.         The punishment by man was harsh and just. What would God do?

II.        In laying out the condition of man, Paul proves that all have sinned. - Romans 3:10-18

            A.        The reason for the continuance of sin is because there is no fear of God within them.

            B.        What do we mean by fearing God?

                        1.         Quite simply we are terrified of what God could do in His wrath - Matthew 10:28

                                    a.         In classical Greek it is that terror that causes you to blindly run in fear.

                                    b.         But in the Scriptures it isn’t a blinding fear

                                    c.         Notice what follows - Matthew 10:29-31

                                                (1)       Fear God, but realize His love for us, so do not fear.

                        2.         It is fear because of the potential of God’s wrath, but it is respect and love because of God’s love.

            C.        Fear is the starting motivation - Proverbs 1:7

                        1.         For many it is knowing that the test is coming, the fear of failing the course that gets people motivated to study.

                        2.         But as you learn the subject and get caught up in it, the fear fades and excitement of learning replaces the fear.

            D.        People will say “I don’t want to do what is right just because I’m afraid of going to hell”

                        1.         The answer is, “Yes, you do!” - Isaiah 8:12-13

                        2.         Fear is very important. It makes us move. It keeps us from going back.

            E.        Abraham showed a fear of God when he placed obedience to God above the life of his promised son. - Genesis 22:12

            F.        The duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments - Ecclesiastes 12:13

                        1.         Fear God because of His judgment - Revelation 14:7

                        2.         Notice Moses started talking about the care God had, but he ends with the discipline of God should lead all to fear Him - Deuteronomy 8:2-6

                        3.         The fear of God keeps us from evil - Proverbs 16:6

III.       Since the fear of God motivates us to do His will and to refrain from evil, we would expect the person without a fear of God to become sinful.

            A.        They have no reason to bind themselves to the laws of God - Psalms 36:1-4

            B.        The history of mankind has been littered with the result of a lack of fearing God.

                        1.         Self-righteous behavior, wickedness, lies, and violence is common among man

IV.      What happens to a man who does not fear God

            A.        He refuses to seek God. He refuses to walk in the ways of righteousness - Romans 3:10-11

                        1.         Psalms 14:1-4 - It starts with a denial of God and it leads to corruption

                        2.         Romans 1:28 - Because man denies God, God turns them over to depravity

                        3.         As a result, calamity of their own making comes upon them - Proverbs 1:25-33

            B.        He becomes without value to God - Romans 3:12

            C.        The words of his mouth become poisonous - Romans 3:13-14

                        1.         It is the righteous who bridles his tongue - James 1:25-26

                        2.         His speech is well-seasoned - Colossians 4:6

                        3.         But the wicked sees no need to control his words - James 3:5-12

                        4.         Instead, his words become weapons to injure - Psalms 64:2-4

            D.        He is violent - Romans 3:15

                        1.         When God is ignored, men become animals, the strong preying upon the weak. - Proverbs 1:10-19

            E.        He is without peace - Romans 3:16-17

                        1.         There is no peace for the wicked - Isaiah 57:21; 59:6-8

                        2.         So unlike the righteous - Philippians 4:7

V.        We must remind ourselves to maintain a fear of God

            A.        The fear of God and a respect for His laws go hand-in-hand with peacefulness and a love for mankind.

            B.        We teach our children to fear flames, to avoid busy streets, and to not talk to strangers.

            C.        Should we not instill in them a fear of and a respect for God? - Hebrews 12:28-29