Eccl.12:13-14

Wisdom

Pleasure

Architecture

Gardening

Ranching

Fine Arts

Wealth

Reputation

VanityAnd

Vexation ofThe Spirit

13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

V.1 “Remember now thy creator”

V.7 “dust return to the earth” “spirit shall return unto God”

V. 13 “conclusion” Climax

Fear GodFear God

Terror - dread

Reverence - Respect

Keep His Commandments

Obey - Acts 10:35

V. 13 “whole duty of man”

This is the duty of all men

“this is right for every man.”

It is his whole work andbusiness

V. 14 “For God shall bring every work into judgment,...”

One day give account

Every work - all things

Man who fears God

V. 14 “with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.”

Secret sins

Cannot hide them from God

Acts 13:16 “ye that fear God”

1 Pet. 2:17 “Fear God.”

Acts 9:31 “the fear of the Lord.”

Acts 10:34-35 “feareth him”

Phil. 2:12 “fear and trembling”

Fear - in the New Testament

Greek = “phobos”

Scared - running away

Phobia - English word

Acrophobia Musophobia

Pyrophobia Claustrophobia

Fear - in the New Testament

“Phobos” + “Theos”

Fear of God

Not a fear of His Power

Not a fear of retribution

Reverential fear

To hold in respect

Fear - in the New Testament

“Phobos” + “Theos”

Not like a slave / terror

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

Some Have Feared God

Noah - Heb. 11:7 “moved with fear, prepared an ark”

Job 1:1 “one that feared God”

Early Church - Acts 9:31 “and walking in the fear of the Lord”

1. Depart from Evil

Pro. 3:7 “Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”

Pro. 16:6 “by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.”

Job 28:28 “to depart from evil”

1. Depart from Evil

Paul explains that the Jews sinned because “there is no fear of God before their eyes” Rom. 3:18

Pro. 8:13 “to hate evil”

2. Obey His Commandments

Ecl. 12:13 “keep”

Acts 10:34-35 “fear God and work righteousness”

Ps. 112:1 “delighteth greatly in His commandments.”

3. Comes through Word of God

Rom. 10:17 - same for fear

Deut.31:10-13 “that they may learn to fear the Lord”

Ps. 34:11

Phil. 2:12 Heb. 10:31

Not for life under the Sun

Vanity and Vexation of Spirit

“Fear God and keep His commandments”

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Morning January 17, 2010