Yes, You Can Ministry

From fear to wisdom.

• How does the love of God produce fear?

Genesis 22:12-He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Abraham feared God, and his fear produced obedience.

Deuteronomy 8: 18- “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 “It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. 20 “Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish ; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.

The Israelites did not fear God, and their lack of fear produced disobedience.

John 14:15- “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Obedience is a byproduct of fear! Obedience is an outward sign of inward love.

Read Hebrews chapter 11. The men and women mentioned in this chapter are considered heroes of the faith. There is not one person in this chapter that did not fear God, and because of their fear they are considered heroic people. People of great courage act despite the fear they may feel.

• How does the fear of God manifest itself in wisdom?



II Chronicles9:1- Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with difficult questions. She had a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and a large amount of gold and precious stones ; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was on her heart. 2 Solomon answered all her questions ; nothing was hidden from Solomon which he did not explain to her. 3 When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house which he had built, 4 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, she was breathless .

The fame and wisdom of Solomon was so great that leaders from other countries came to seek his advice, but the wisdom did not come from him. Because of his humbleness, and the simple plea that he made to God he was given the kind of wisdom that can only be given by God.

Acts 4:13- Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus!

The Apostles were not smart, educated men, nor were they part of the religious elite; but because of the love that they had for Jesus, and the commitment they had to bringing His offer of Eternal Life to all men they were used by God to educate the upper class of the day. The ones who seemed wise in the eyes of the world were dumbfounded by the knowledge, and the understanding these men had.

I Corinthians 1:18- For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man ? Where is the scribe ? Where is the debater of this age ? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world ? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom ; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble ; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

All wisdom begins with our fear of the Lord which will produce a love for Him, and a desire to see His will accomplished; which will in turn be manifested in wisdom.

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Father, I thank You for sending me the wisdom that can only come from You, and I ask that You would help me look to the Cross for true wisdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

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http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/general/george-washington-quotes.htm