Cornerstone Church of Blaine2013 Men’s Retreat

What we worship should direct our lives.What we fear will direct our lives.

We should worship and fear the same thing.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” –

Proverbs 9:10

Our fear of God should fuel our worship.

Too often we are more afraid of these things than of God:• Fear of others• Fear of circumstances• Fear of future

We fail to worship God because our fear kills our worship.

Fear of Others Directs Our Lives

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles’ but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” - Galatians 2:11-13

Peter was about to act in a way that directly contradicted the message he was called to represent.

His heart was ruled by a fear of others, rather than a fear of God.

Have we done the same?

Fear of Circumstances – Gen 12:16

Abraham is going to be given children as numerous as the sand on the shore.

But…

Abraham keeps trying to give away his wife.

He has moments where he is more afraid of others than of God!

Fear of Future

Judges 6:11-18.

What we worship should direct our lives.What we fear will direct our lives.

We should worship and fear the same thing.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” –

Proverbs 9:10

If we don’t want our lives to be directed by the fear of others, fear God more!

Samuel 17:24 - 26

The situation wasn’t between puny soldiers against a huge giant: it was between a puny giant against an Almighty God!

If you don’t want your life to be directed by fear of your circumstances, fear God more!

Luke 8:22-25

They feared the circumstances they were in, but found out God is more fearsome! Now they fear the power of God!

If you don’t want your life to be directed by fear of the future, fear God more!

Luke 12:22-33

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy.”

So why do Christians still have lives directed by fear?

We have lost our awe of God.

If you do anything as a result of this retreat, seek an awe of God. It will lead you to worship.

Read Psalms 25: 12-14Psalms 34: 7-11

What we worship should direct our lives.What we fear will direct our lives.

We should worship and fear the same thing.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” –

Proverbs 9:10