"Get Smart"
June 11, 2006

The New Testament Lesson: Luke 12: 1 - 7

To refocus people on the need to Fear God!

In my sermon series this summer, I will be reviewing what Jesus has to say about fear!  Luke 12 groups several of Jesus’ sayings about this topic!  Strange how much Jesus had to say about it, both positively and negatively.

I.  People, in general, prefer for their god to be tame!
   A. In the recent Chronicles of Narnia, an important scene omitted
        1. I think the omission was intentional!  A favorite of mine. Here it is:

The 4 children have been gather into the beaver’s home.  Mr. Beaver says, “Aslan a man!” he said sternly. “Certainly not.  I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea.   Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts?  Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”  “Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man.  Is he—quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”  “That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly!” “Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?  Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.  He’s the King, I tell you!”

          2. From this idea the catch phrase follows: He’s not a tame Lion!
        3. There is some great theology in this children’s book.
        4. In fact, the theology is better than what you hear from many pulpits!
   B. Lewis is highlighting a tendency in the church to Tame God!
        1. You have probably heard people talk about what Their god would do
            a. Oh, my god is a loving god.  He would never send anyone to Hell.
            b. My god is a loving father, he would never punish anyone.
            c. My god would never accept one who dressed like that.  Or did that!
        2. When you hear someone say “My god”spell god with a small “g”
        3. They are talking about their own personal god.
            a. This is a god that they have tamed.
            b. They have placed limits on the freedom of God.
        4. The mistake is trying to own God rather than God owning you.
   C. In reality, God is sovereign!
        1. Quoting Beaver: “He’s the King, I tell you!”
        2. That means he’s not entirely safe.
        3. There is an unpredictable quality in this sovereignty.

II.  Our feelings when appearing before God need to be centered on fear
   A. Jesus, in telling us about the Father he knows so well, says so!
        1. I read this passage wrongly for many years!
            a. Interpreted the one who can kill the body as a human enemy.
            b. Then heard “one who condemns to Hell” as Satan.
        2. But recently, I realized that God has given no such authority to Satan.
            a. The one who is to judge is God.
            b. Satan may be the prosecuting attorney, but the decision is God’s
        3. Thus, the one who has this authority is really God.
        4. And, therefore, it is God who is to be feared!
   B. What does it mean to fear God?
        1. It is not the same as being afraid.
            a. When you are afraid of someone, who worry they will hurt you.
            b. That they might do something evil.
            c. This can never be true of God.
            d. God might do something we don’t like, but it would never be evil.
            e. God is good—in fact God alone is truly and completely good.
        2. Fear in this sense means to recognize God’s power and authority.
            a. We realize the pent up energy.
            b. If it ever let loose, we’d be in real trouble.
        3. We also respect the authority of God.
            a. We know that what God says goes.
            b. When God commands, we have no choice in the matter.
        4. The feelings are those of awe and wonder and submission.
        5. We automatically yield to God who holds our lives and all of reality in His Mighty Hands!
   C. When we come to worship, those feelings should dominate our minds.
        1. We are coming into the presence of the Creator and King.
        2. If we realize this, then we can not come in a blasé manner.
            a. We are amazed as we recognize in whose presence we stand.
            b. While we respond like Isaiah, Woe is Me!
            c. God says welcome.  Receive my grace.