The fear of the Lord

Dear LTCC Family,

The fear of the Lord is a difficult concept. Christ comes to free us from fear, but then the Scriptures tell us to fear God. Which is it? We know it’s one of those “both” answers, but how does that work?

 

When the writer of Ecclesiastes comes to the “end of the matter” after a life of vainly pursuing money, pleasure, and wisdom, he summarizes the aim of life in one sweeping statement: 

 

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

We can certainly obey someone out of fear – fear of retribution and punishment if we don’t obey – but that doesn’t make walking with God seem very appealing or joy-filled!

 

In his book Rejoice and Tremble, Michael Reeves is so helpful in laying out a biblical case for the “surprising good news of the fear of the Lord.” Reeves says, “In the fear of the Lord is found a true knowledge of God, as Creator and as Redeemer, as majestic and merciful.” He expounds in his chapters about the overwhelming majesty of the Creator that leads us to awe and reverence but how left to itself can simply lead to being afraid of God. 

 

Knowing God, however, as marvelous Creator and knowing Him as merciful Redeemer in Jesus leads us to an adoration that Charles Spurgeon says has not an “atom of that fear which signifies being afraid.” Why? Because the Father has adopted us into his family by faith in his Son, so we are his sons and daughters! We realize that we did not “receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear” but that we “have received the Spirit of the adoption as sons (and daughters), by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15). 

 

In other words, the fear of the Lord is only complete with the assurance of God’s mercy and kindness toward us in Christ. As believers, we rejoice in his tenderness and tremble at his majesty. Both, at the same time.

 

It is the good news of God’s love in Christ (the gospel) that rounds out our understanding of the fear of the Lord and then compels us to have a heavenly perspective about people. This is what Bob preached about last Sunday. If you missed either of his sermons the past two weeks on “The Ministry of Reconciliation” from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, I would encourage you to go back and listen. It is God’s mercy toward us that makes it possible for us to reconcile with one another, so we can be ambassadors of Christ to the world.

 

At our Members’ Meeting last Sunday, Bob laid out the 5-stage process that he is leading us through that includes, but is not limited to, reconciliation.

 

  • Stage 1: Connect with People – Bob is aiming for 70 to 90 interviews in the next few weeks (sign up for a time here) to not only build relationship but to begin discerning the church’s strengths and weaknesses.

  • Stage 2: Assess LTCC Health – With a Transition Team in place, Bob will help us prep for increased effectiveness as a church by gathering information from inside and outside the church to gain a clearer picture of our church and our community.

  • Stage 3: Facilitate Action – Questions that come from the reports in assessing health will be addressed.

  • Stage 4: Lead Strategic Planning – Clarify our biblical mission and vision – who we are, where we are going, and how we will get there.

  • Stage 5: Coach the Pastoral Search Team – Prepare for the new pastor and help with the handoff once he arrives.

 

Thank you for engaging with Bob and with the process that Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM) has laid out for us. We anticipate a great work in us and through us at LTCC as we walk this together. 

 

May we “rejoice and tremble” as we walk in the fear of the Lord, obeying his commandments joyfully and passionately, calling people all around Lake Tapps and our surrounding cities to join us in the “embassy” of Christ where there is eternally safe protection under a majestic Creator and a merciful Redeemer! 

 

On behalf of the elders and deacons,

 Brian


P.S. The Matusczcaks have a new assignment! Come hear how the Lord is working & how you can support them at this Sunday's luncheon.  Register here!

 

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Brian Peterson