The Fear of the LORD

Exodus 20. 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear.They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. What Does The Fear of God Mean? It is not what the Israelites experienced. They were terrorized. You cannot have a loving meaningful relationship with someone who holds a gun to your head, saying, “I love you. Do you love me?” God is not looking for that with us. He is looking for us to revere Him, Respect Him, to honor Him, be in awe of Him. Fear of God is to treat Him as He deserves. To honor Him because He is worthy. David and I singing on Friday, “This Is My Father’s World” Honoring Him as Creator, Father Isaiah 44.9 Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’? Romans 9. 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? Anger at God, rejecting His plan is not respecting Him. God’s plan was for Israel to draw near. They wanted Moses to do that. Avoiding an invitation from the LORD ends in disaster. This begs a question worth asking. How on earth did they go from this to killing Jesus? Had they no fear?! * Their Religion! They did not want Him messing up their religion, having a form of godliness but no power. They had their rituals. They were so steeped in them and their traditions that they did recognize God when He was standing besides them, talking with them. * Their Building. They were afraid He would be the cause for their temple being taken away. . John 11.48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” When a buiding becomes more important than loving God that group is in deep trouble. That generation did not pass until they saw the Destruction of the Temple and all of Jerusalem. * The Money. He upset the whole of Israel by cleansing the Temple of business: buying, selling, money exchange. Mark 11. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as He taught them, He said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching. The Laodecian Church had put Jesus out because their wealth made them feel they didn’t need Him. Now they never said that per se, but their actions and their independence spoke loudly. Photo * There is a great need today to drive the merchandising, the business model, out of the church! * Finally He made sense. He spoke with authority. He pointed out their pride and the need for repentance. Repentance among religious leaders does not come easy. We have seen a few exposed for elaborate spending in the past 40 years but many go on without any concern for them becoming rich and the poor paying their way. We even see this outside of the TV preachers. (Not all are evil) I implore you today that if you are giving money to any of them, ask for a detailed financial statement. If they do not give it to you I can assure you that you are being ripped off! This includes denominations. Local pastors can do this as well. I know of men who made millions in managing their property investments while their flocks suffered due to their attention to business ventures. This is so wrong! Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? Ezekiel 34.2 God help us. Shepherds are to take care of the flock:feeding, leading, protecting, guiding, healing, loving Go back again with me to the thunder and lightning v.18 Remember Matthew 12. 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 But He replied to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, 40 because just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look—something greater than Jonah is here! I believe they were bringing Him back to Sinai and this chapter. Let us see some lightning, some thunder. Jesus said I will give you one sigh. It will be on Earth. I will rise again but you still will not believe. He did give a sign in the Heavens, but it was only to His disciples. It was not creating a storm but muzzling one. Mark 4. 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” He did not create a storm this time but stilled it. It had the same effect. They were terrorized by His power. Old Testament whole nation New Testament to His Followers Old Testament they knew it was God. New Testament they are wondering, Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” They became His witnesses. Jesus prayed, in Matthew 12. 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what You were pleased to do. He still is! The Fear of God Keeps Us From Sinning v.20 We need this in the United States today. We have lost the fear of the LORD! I remember a time when saying, “O God” was a sin. Today even kids say it. Even when my kids were young. My youngest learning the chorus, Unto The O LORD, when we came to the line, “Oh my God, I trust in Thee” gasped with horror. Look at the government with lies and corruption. We do not know who is telling the truth. Accusations fly. I remember Watergate. We were all in shock when we found out about a cover up. Today insider trading, tax evasion, leaking classified information is not a big thing. I had a fear of the consequences of sin. I was afraid because I knew God was watching. 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. I was not afraid of being with the LORD. I have often told you how I wanted to go to Heaven as a kid. So I didn’t run from the LORD. I wanted to be with Him. Now when I wake up in the morning I cannot wait to get down into my Study for Quiet Time. I have begun praying over the whole family before I get up. My Quiet Times have become a time of communing with the LORD, prayer, reading His Word and writing in my journals. Prayer I prayed July 1, 2004 for Art Alexander, after he became DS Your words this morning were restorative! The Fear of the LORD is The Beginning of Wisdom Proverbs 9. 10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,     and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Now we are getting somewhere! We say today, “How foolish can they be!” If a person does not have the fear of the LORD, they will not have wisdom. They will live like there is no God. A person can say anything. The issue is how do they live? If they are living in sin then they have no fear of the LORD. Excuses have been made for inexcusable actions. Dr. Karl Menninger’s book, What Ever Became of Sin, was written in 1973, explores how modern society erased the concept of personal sin, replacing it with therapeutic or clinical terms like "sickness" or "dysfunction" to evade moral accountability. The words, what right do you to have to say, “This is wrong?” were heard throughout the 1970’s. In the 1980’s when making money was rampant, the concept of sin was being erased as the Health and Wealth Gospel proliferated. Fast forward 40 plus years and whole churches are falling apart because they do not stand for anything. What happened to Paul’s words to the Ephesian Church. Ephesians 6. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, It is not how “successful” you are for a season but after years have past are you still standing? What is the Fear of the LORD Today? Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. We are in a place of Communion. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Jesus broke down the barrier, opening up the Holy of Holies where we can go right into the Presence of the LORD. We are in a Place of Joyful Assembly. Not dark, not frightening but with Angels singing. We are in a place of rejoicing our that our names are written down in Heaven. For too long we have been celebrating our successes. If we are not careful Life can become one large scoreboard where someone is listing the points to measure our worth. And before we are fully aware of it, we have sold our soul to the many grade givers. In short, we are worthwhile because we have successes we allow our accomplishments to become the criteria of our self-esteem and our self-worth. Do not rejoice how many come to your church or how many baptisms you have but rejoice that your name is written down in Heaven. We are in a place of Rest from trying to please God. It is finished. We are in fellowship with Jesus. He has forgiven us! Feeling At Home in the Presence of Jesus

The Mountain of God

Exodus 19.1-8 Throughout the Word of God Mountains have played an important roles in meeting with the LORD. Abraham went to Mount Moriah at the LORD’s Command to offer Isaac, his son, as a sacrifice there. Genesis 22.1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” When Jesus was going to reveal His Glory to Peter, John and James He took them up to Mount Hermon. Mark 9.1 And He said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” The Transfiguration 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. When Jesus was praying over which of the disciples would be His Apostles He went up on a mountain to pray. Luke 6. 12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles:14 Simon (whom He named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. When Jesus ascended back into Heaven He led the Eleven up to the top of the Mount of Olives. Acts 1.9 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.” 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. Abraham let Lot choose. Genesis 13. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” 10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. 14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So now here is Moses going up on a mountain, at 80 years of age. It was a Holy Mountain. Here the Ten Commandments would be given. Israel would be given these tablets of stone which would be the basis for governmental order throughout the world for the ages. What was it about mountains? I have climbed a few. Pike Peak in Colorado would have been my biggest feet. The summit is 14,115 feet above sea level. My grandfather climbed it as a young man and I decided I wanted to as well. Left at dark to climb to the top of Mount Manitou then at Dawn up Barr Trail to the summit, stopped at a Ranger’s Station for oatmeal and coffee. It was up there the hymn, America, the Beautiful, was inspired and written by Kathleen Bates. President Woodrow Wilson was in that group in a horse drawn buggy. I have climbed Mountains in New Hampshire, Twin Mountains hold special memories for my family, for my girls. Sugarloaf Trail has been trodded on for Five Generations of Mancini’s. The mountain behind my parents’ property was also a climb with a beautiful view. We climbed it often. I would imagine some will make the trek in a few weeks when we gather for my Mom’s Celebration of Life. Will I join them? What is it about Mountains and the LORD? * Mountains Are To Be Climbed. v.3 When Moses went up to God… It takes effort. Going to the ocean or the bay takes little effort. You drive there and get out and sit. Mountain climbing means perspiration. You sweat. It is wise to take some hydration. Mountain climbing is not for the faint of heart. You are on an incline. Mountain climbing shows your strength. The weak should not do it. Warning on the trail leading up to Mount Washington in New Hampshire: Attempt this trail only if you are in excellent physical. Some have died from exhaustion and exposure on this trail. Mountain climbing gives you a different perspective. Similar to flying in an airplane. Looking down is so different than looking at. The view up here is very clear. Some of us need a different perspective this morning. We are living in a valley. You may have been raised that way. You do not need to live there. Climb up today! God is waiting for you. * Mountains Give Us Quiet Times To Hear God Speak. vs.4-6 It is quiet on the mountains. Noise is below. That is true even on a roof! When this old world starts getting me down And people are just too much for me to face I climb way up to the top of the stairs And all my cares just drift right into space On the roof, it's peaceful as can be And there the world below can't bother me Let me tell you now When I come home feelin' tired and beat I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof) I get away from the hustling crowd And all that rat race noise down in the street (up on the roof) On the roof, the only place I know Where you just have to wish to make it so Let's go up on the roof (up on the roof) God called Moses up to meet with him. He did not want Moses distracted. God wanted his undivided attention. This was so important. He wants you with Him like this. He didn’t want him judging the hard cases. He wanted him, alone, away. Charlie and I golfing at Robert Moses on Tuesday Morning. Mountains mean little communication with others. Maybe none but a fellow pilgrim. When Habakkuk the prophet gave these words, The LORD is in His holy temple;     let all the earth be silent before Him. Habakkuk 2.20 * God Reveals His Plans on The Mountains. vs.7-8 The whole plan for the Tabernacle for worship was given to Moses on the Mountains. Jesus showed the inner circle what was to come, His Transfiguration. They were told not to telll anyone until after He rose from the dead. Peter wrote of it. II Peter 1. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. Promises are made on the mountains. v.8 Committed themselves to obey God. By now you are probably saying, “Pastor, we live on Long Island. There are no mountains here.” This is true. However spiritually we can according to God’s Word… We have this promise and this reality: Ephesians 2.4 But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. This is our experience. This is higher than the mountains of Earth! Because we are United with Christ. This gives us access to all the blessings of fellowship with Him. Jesus raises us up. This is a spiritual standing, one day to become a physical reality. I Thessalonians 4.13-18 We have not come to Mount Sinai but to Mount Zion Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. He has called us Heavenward. Philippians 3. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press ontoward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. God has called us to Higher Ground each day! Get up into the Mountain of God! The LORD’s Supper