What Is It To Fear And Maintain The Awe of God

Well so after that title reading we should define fear and awe as it relates to God to kick things off:

Fear - In the Bible, fearing God generally means having profound reverence, awe, and respect for His holiness and power, rather than being terrified of Him. It is described as a 360-degree awareness of His presence that motivates believers to obey His commands, hate evil, and live in a way that pleases Him.

Key Aspects of Fearing God:

• Reverence and Awe: It is a recognition of God's supreme authority, glory, and majesty, acknowledging Him as God while recognizing our place as His creatures.

Ah, but now I must include a definition within a definition – let’s look at the word awe:

• The Bible calls for an awe of God primarily through the concept of "fearing the Lord," which implies deep reverence, admiration, and wonder, rather than mere terror. Key verses include Psalm 33:8, which instructs all inhabitants to stand in awe of Him, and Hebrews 12:28-29, which commands worship with reverence and awe.
• Ps 33:8 – 8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
   and let everyone stand in awe of him.
• Heb 12:28-29 - 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

Key Scriptures Stating or Encouraging Awe of God:

• [Psalm 22:23 (ESV): "You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him..."
• [Psalm 119:161 (ESV): "Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words."
• [Psalm 4:4 (ESV): "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" (this is often interpreted as "Stand in awe/tremble and sin not") 
• Context of Awe in Scripture:
• Reverence vs. Terror: The biblical "awe" (or fear) of God is an attitude of total admiration and respect for His power and holiness, not a paralyzing terror.
• Awe of His Works/Word: Examples include being awestruck by His creation such as described in Psalm 8 or His profound truth as described in Psalm 119:161.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, this is Kenya Podcast Preacher. Welcome back to my podcast Eat Waters. This podcast is brought to you by Applied Strengths Ministry, where we believe working together on our strengths is the effect of working out, the will and calling of God, fit into our lives. Thanks for joining me. Let's open up in prayer. Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Just as he chose you in him before the foundation of the world. That you should be holy without blame before him in love, having predestined you to adoption as a Son or daughter by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, which He purposed in Himself, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made you accepted in the Beloved. In Him ye have redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound towards you in all wisdom and fruit. Having made known to you the mystery of His will, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times you might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in here. Ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Lord, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, and the knowledge of the mystery of him. That the eyes of your understanding would be open wider, and that you would be enlightened to who he is, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in you, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards you, who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, that he would grant that you would be strengthened with might through his spirit in the inner man, and into your spirit and heart, and that you would be able to stand against your flesh, this world, and the devil, in it to many in all temptations. I pray that your love may abound more and more in all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ with the glory and praise of God. I ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work, strengthen with all might, according to his glorious power, in all patience and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints who walk in the light. I pray that your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love and unity, and that you would attain to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, both of the Father and of Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God, which has been given to each of my listeners by Christ Jesus, that you are enriched in everything by Him, in all utterance and all knowledge, so that you do not come short in obtaining or operating in your calling and purpose, nor in using any spiritual gifts or talents, eagerly waiting for the continued revelation of our Lord Jesus, who will confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the near coming of the day of our Lord. God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus. Okay, so now therefore, my sisters and brothers in Christ, when things get tough, think about whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and whatever things are of a good report. If there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things alone. I pray that in these very days that you would let your love be without hypocrisy. Hate and loath what is evil, cling to what is good and righteous, be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor, giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent and fully engulfed in spiritual fire, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, walking in the peace of God, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, that is each other, and that you would be given hospitality. May the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like minded towards one another, according to Christ Jesus, that we learn to be of one mind, in one accord, operating completely and fully in love and unity, always striving for the working out of God's specific will for each of our lives, while working in partnership with each other within the church and the Holy Spirit, as he manifests his miracle signs and wonders through the daily activities of our ministry and kingdom work, and while we also go out preaching the gospel in word and deed. Let us love and serve one another, our enemy, and those who wouldn't expect us to do so, considering each person better than ourselves. Bind up any words or thoughts that are contrary to the love of God, or which would set you back in your Christian walk. Now step out in faith today and walk with God, being assured that nothing will separate you from Him as long as you abide in Him. Call those things that don't exist as though they do. Remember He that is in you is greater than He that is in the world. Be more than a conqueror today, submitting to the will of God in everything. Let each of us express uncompromising love towards one another in humility while maintaining a teachable spirit. I pray that God would give you the revelation within this message that he intends you to receive with the understanding. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. The title of this message is What is it to fear and maintain the awe of God? Well, so after that title reading, we should define fear and awe as it relates to God, to kick things off. Fear in the Bible, fearing God generally means having profound reverence, awe, and respect for his holiness and power, rather than being terrified of him. It is described as a three hundred sixty degree awareness of his presence that motivates believers to obey his commands, hate evil, and live in a way that pleases him. Key aspects of fearing God reverence and awe. It is a recognition of God's supreme authority, glory, and majesty, acknowledging him as God while recognizing our place as his creatures. Ah, but now I must include a definition within a definition. Let's look at the word awe. The Bible calls for an awe of God primarily through the concept of fearing the Lord, which implies deep reverence, admiration, and wonder, rather than mere terror. Key verses include Psalm thirty three eight, which instructs all inhabitants to stand in awe of him, and Hebrews twelve twenty eight through twenty nine, which commands worship with reverence and awe. Let's take a closer look. Psalms thirty three eight. Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. Hebrews twelve twenty eight through twenty nine. Since we are receiving a kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Psalm twenty two twenty three. You who fear the Lord, praise him, all you offspring of Jacob, glorify him and stand in awe of him. Psalm one hundred nineteen one sixty one. Princesses persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. Psalm four four. Be angry and do not sin, ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent, Sale. This is often interpreted as stand in awe and tremble, and sin not. Context of awe in Scripture Reverence versus terror. The biblical awe or fear of God is an attitude of total admiration and respect for his power and holiness, and not a paralyzing terror. Awe of his works and word. Examples include being awestruck by his creation such as described in Psalm eight, or his profound truth, as described in Psalms one hundred nineteen, one sixty one. Psalm eight to the chief musician on the instrument of Gath, a psalm of David. O Lord our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth, who have set your glory above the heavens, out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, you have ordained strength because of your enemies, that ye may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and son of man that you visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, every beast of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. Psalm one hundred nineteen sixty one. Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your word. Righteous response The Bible shows people falling in awe or fear, when witnessing God's glory, such as Isaiah's vision listed in Isaiah six five, or Peter recognizing Jesus' power in Luke five eight. Isaiah six five. So I said, Woe is me for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the king, the Lord of hosts. Luke five eight. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Okay, so back to the definition of fear. The beginning of wisdom Proverbs one seven indicates that this fear is the foundation of true wisdom, guiding how we think and behave in the world. Proverbs one seven. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Respectful obedience. It translates to loving God enough to not want to disappoint or dishonor him, similar to a child's respect for a loving but authoritative parent. Distinction from terror. While for believers it is not a terrifying, cowering fear, it does include a healthy fear of his discipline and a serious acknowledgement of his power over life and death. Deuteronomy thirty two thirty nine. Now see that I, even I, am he, and there is no other God besides me. I kill and make alive, I wound and I heal, nor is there any who can deliver from my hand. Samuel two six. The Lord kills and makes alive, he brings down to the grave and brings up. Job fourteen five. Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with you. You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass. Psalm ninety three. You turn people back to dust, saying, Return to dust, you mortals. And human hands can't serve his needs, for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. So before we get back to the definition of fear, those scriptures just read is not to invoke a spirit of fear in you. Listen, Second Timothy one, seven. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. Other translations say and a sound mind. Okay, back to the final point made in the definition of fear. A preventative measure. The fear of the Lord serves as a check against pride and self sufficiency, ensuring believers do not drift away from him. For the believer, this fear is intertwined with love, leading to a holy awe that draws them closer to God rather than driving them away. Alright, so why a message on the fear of God? Well, I was reading a book and watching a video, and one of the pastors brought up the fact that they had visited a church recently where he got up to preach and he noticed right away that there was no fear of God into place. I was then thinking or asking myself if this is why the power of God is absent in most churches, and whether or not we had this problem in our own church. I asked Google AI the following question so as to see if any data existed as to the lack of fear in today's churches. One of the questions was what percentage of Christians actually fear or have a reverence of God? And the other was, is fearing God necessary to be an authentically born again believer? The results were as follows. While over 90% of Christians believe in God, fear of God is interpreted more as reverential awe, respect, and submission than terror. Surveys indicate roughly 70 to 80% hold foundational beliefs in God's power and omnipotence, but a notable portion of leaders and practitioners believe many lack a deep practical reverence. There you go, that's why I'm doing this message. Key findings belief versus reverence. While a vast majority believe in God, the practical application of reverence or holy fear, defined as awe and submission, is often perceived to be lower. Listen, James 2, 19. You believe that there is one God, you do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. So if you were wondering, salvation does go beyond just believing. Fundamental beliefs. A 2018 Pew survey found that 78% of Christians believe God is omnipotent, that is all powerful. 87% believe God is omnipotent, all knowing, and 93% believe God loves all people. Now see what they've done? With that one AI generated comment, I must deal with the three O's of God and with the fallacy that God loves all people. Yes, I have dealt with these in other podcast messages, but we are always adding new listeners, so to make it easy on them, I will add the scriptures right here. But before we do, listen to that pew pew. Different percentages of people believe that God is who he says he is. This, my friends, is the mark of the presence of the Antichrist plan to create division and spiritual ignorance. Too many of us do not know the Bible, and Satan knows this, and so he will play on our weaknesses as he rolls out his plans for a one world church and government. Okay, for the three O's of God, here we go. The three O's of God are fundamental theological attributes that describe his nature as infinite, supreme, and sovereign. Omnipotence, all powerful, omniscience, all knowing, and omnipresence everywhere present. These attributes define God as a supreme creator in control of all things. We'll break each of those down. Omnipotence, all powerful. It means God has unlimited power and authority, allowing him to do whatever he pleases, provided it aligns with his character. Jeremiah thirty two seventeen. Ah, Lord God, it is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Psalms one hundred fifteen three. Our God is in the heavens, He does all that He pleases. Revelation nineteen six. Hallelujah, for the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. So why would any Bible reading Christian disagree or not believe that this is a God attribute? Next, omniscience, all knowing. It means God has complete and exhaustive knowledge of all things, past, present and future, including the thoughts and hearts of people. For whenever our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Psalm one hundred forty seven five. Great is our Lord and abundant in power, his understanding is beyond measure. Hebrews four thirteen, and no creature is hidden from us sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him, to whom we must give an account. AI didn't include this next verse even though Jesus is God. Hebrews thirteen eight, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Omnipresence, everywhere present, means that God is present everywhere at all times, with his entire being, not limited by space or location. Psalm one hundred thirty nine, seven through ten. Where shall I go from your spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven you are there. If I make my bed in Sheil, you are there. Jeremiah twenty three four. Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. Acts seventeen, twenty seven through twenty eight. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being. And because AI isn't saved, I will include other scriptures that supports the same omnipresence O. The Bible states that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit dwell within believers, making them a temple. Key passages include Romans eight, nine through eleven, Spirit of God slash Christ within, Second Corinthians thirteen five, Jesus Christ is in you, and John fourteen twenty three, Father and Son making their home with believers. Key scriptural references Romans eight, nine through eleven. Paul states that if the Spirit of God dwells in you, Christ is in you, and the Spirit will give life to your mortal bodies. Second Corinthians thirteen five. Do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? John fourteen twenty three. Jesus states that anyone who loves him will obey his teaching, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Galatians two twenty. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you. Ephesians four six speaks of one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. At that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. If you love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and He will give you another helper, that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Key scripture passages Psalms one hundred thirty nine, one through twelve. It is widely recognized as the preeminent biblical text highlighting all three attributes simultaneously God's intimate knowledge, omniscience, his inescapable presence, omnipresence, and his role as creator and sustainer, omnipotence. So my final why for now, why would any Bible reading Christian disagree or not believe that this too is a God attribute? Bible ignorance. On to the next pew pew, which stated ninety three percent believe God loves all people. If this is true, then only seven percent of the people read their Bibles. And that might be true. Ah, well let's get the Bible to interpret the Bible, and then you can make up your own mind. By the way, I will also add the scriptures that will address the question are all people his people? Yes, I added, are all people his people just to make it exciting? Because this is unknown information to the garage believer as well. And we must do everything we can to read our Bibles and to get out of that garage. Proverbs six, sixteen through nineteen. These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run into evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Keep that in mind as you think about all the church divorces that have occurred over the history of the church. Romans thirteen, as it is written, Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated. Proverbs fifteen, eight through nine and verse twenty six. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who follows righteousness. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant. Psalms five five. The boastful shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of inequity. Psalm eleven five. The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence his soul hates. Okay, so there are more scriptures, but I don't want to get too ridiculous in supporting the position. So now what about the question are all people his people? ten explicitly distinguishes between children of God and children of the devil, defining the latter as those who do not practice righteousness or love their brothers. And why? Because they are of their father the devil. John eight forty four. Jesus tells listeners, you are of the father the devil, directly accusing them of doing his desires. Kind of like father like son. Matthew thirteen thirty eight through thirty nine. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus explains that the tares, or weeds, are the sons of the evil one. Acts thirteen ten. Paul refers to a sorcerer as a son of the devil and an enemy of all righteousness. Genesis three fifteen, often interpreted as a prophecy where the serpent, that is Satan, is told he will have offspring or seed contrasted with the offspring of the woman. And of course I did a message on did Satan actually have sex with Eve or not? It's more than a couple years old, but it's worth listening to. So did God create everything? Yes. But then did he intend that the fallen sons of God would give birth to giants? Well, whose kids are they? Gods or Satan's? If you said Satan's, you are correct, as he was back of the two hundred watchers, leaving their proper abode and crossing the uncrossable god genetic or DNA spirit slash human line. Genesis chapter six, Jude one six, and second Peter two four. So we get back to the other question I asked Google AI, which was to see if any data existed as to the lack of fear on today's churches. One of the questions was, what percentage of Christians actually fear or have a reverence of God? And the other was, is fearing God necessary to be an authentically born again believer? The definition or explanation continues. Cultural context. In some studies, roughly 70% of Christians were identified as believing in the God of the Judeo Christian Bible, rather than just a general higher spiritual power. And I may say this later on in the message, but it is important to understand that just believing in God is not enough. Understanding fear. Biblical scholars and religious leaders often distinguish the fear of God from being terrified. Instead, it is described as a respectful, loving awe that motivates obedient living. While precise, universally accepted statistics on reverence are difficult to measure, the data suggests that while high percentages believe in God, a smaller portion may live with the profound, reverential awe described as the Bible fear of God. A smaller portion? Let's look at Look at the end game. Luke thirteen, twenty three through twenty four. Then one said to him, Lord, are there few who are saved? And he said to them, Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Now he's not talking about non believers because they're not trying to get into heaven. Think about that statistic for a minute now. Matthew seven, thirteen through fourteen. Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. But before we carry on, let's address the second question, which is, is fearing God necessary to be an authentically born again believer? Yes, a fear of God is considered necessary for an authentically born again believer, but it is defined in the New Testament not as terrifying dread, but as profound reverence, awe, and submission to God's authority. This reverent fear acts as a motivator to live in holiness, obey God, and avoid turning away from faith. And all of those elements, that is living in holiness, obeying God, and avoiding turning away from faith, are all happening at breakneck speeds in these end of times. Jesus says in the Bible, When I come back will I find faith in the earth? And the other says, the love of many will grow cold, and that's already happening. That's why it's important for us to really get an understanding of having the fear of God. Key aspects of fearing God in the Christian faith include reverence and awe. It is a holy respect for who God is, the creator of the universe, rather than a servile fear of punishment. The new covenant promise. Scripture highlights that God promises to place a godly fear in the hearts of believers, so they will not depart from him, suggesting it is an inherent part of a new birth. A motivator for obedience. The fear of God is described as the beginning of wisdom, influencing believers to take their actions seriously and walk in obedience. Relationship to love, while believers are not to be scared of God as they are secured in his love. Romans eight, thirty eight through thirty nine. This love coexists with a deep reverence and trembling at his sovereignty. An automatic or born again believer is characterized by a heart that loves God, which manifests into a serious desire to respect, worship, and please him. We will close with so amazingly clear fear scriptures so that we understand our born again experience has to include a reverential fear of God, going back a little as I express reading your Bible as a short term solution to what remains of the dispensation of a thing we call time. I have also talked about this crisis before, but as you know, I have been sharing a lot about all of the things which are shouting, we are in the very last days of the end of time. So now when you hear the statistics of the problem, like a good auto mechanic, when he hears a slight knock coming out of your engine, he makes you aware that this thing is about to blow. Well, God is saying this thing is about to blow, and we are lacking good Bible mechanics to equip the saints with the work of ministry and to make disciples or life learners, extracting them from the pool of those who believe and are authentically born again. Around one in six US adults, that is 16%, read the Bible daily or most days of the week, while thirty four percent read it at least once a week, according to 2021 data, while nine in ten Americans have read at least some of the Bible, only about thirteen to twenty percent have read the entire book, with roughly half of the US adults reading it less than twice a year. We interrupt this current programming for an emergency proclamation notice. We are Christians in a daily spiritual war. We have been given spiritual weapons, have God living inside of our heart engine, have some pretty tight spiritual armor, have been commissioned and commanded to equip the saints, or we could say soldiers for the work of ministry, or we could say that so that they can fight on the battlefield of life effectively, have been told to bring them to spiritual maturity and make them life learners through a love centered discipleship relationship. And barely anyone is reading the manual? Yes, and somehow we think that it'll be okay, as the most intense war descends upon all of humanity with every purpose to separate God's kids from him. And we are not considered just a little crazy by at least some of the angels? Second Corinthians ten three through five, Ephesians six ten through eighteen, John fourteen, fifteen through seventeen, John fourteen, twenty, John fourteen, fifteen through seventeen, Ephesians four, six, Corinthians six, nineteen, Romans eight, nine through eleven, second Corinthians thirteen five, and Matthew twenty eight nineteen. Hopefully you know by now to carry a pen with you so that you can look those up. Okay, so back to the key statistics on Bible reading. Daily frequent readers, approximately nineteen percent of church goers read the Bible daily. nineteen percent. Regular readers, sixty one percent of Americans who attend services monthly read the Bible regularly, at least a few times a week. Low engagement, about fifty percent of US adults read the Bible less than twice a year or never. Another way of saying this is that about half the soldiers on a battlefield have not read the war manual, or as we should know it as the Bible. Could you imagine all hell is breaking loose and a regiment of soldiers show up at your house, and the first thing the sergeant tells you is that you need to follow them so that your life is preserved. And then the next thing that he tells you is to stick very close as only half of his soldiers know how to shoot and fight. Demographic differences while nine in ten Americans own a Bible, engagement varies by age and denomination. For example, 36% of evangelical Protestants read the Bible daily compared to 20% of mainline Protestants. Trends, Bible usage has increased with about 181 million Americans opening up a Bible in the past year, up from 2020. I just gotta tell you, it is not good news. The time to prepare for war is in a time of peace, not when you hear the bullets flying by your head. And the bullets are flying by our heads, ladies and gentlemen. Scripture engaged, consumers defined by the American Bible Society as those who interact with the Bible in a way that impacts their lives, tend to be more active in church. Barriers, the most common reasons for not reading the Bible, more often include a lack of time, twenty nine percent of Gen X slash boomers, or not knowing where to start, 30% of Gen Z. Where is the fivefold ministry in these areas of the alphabetters? Digital shift, roughly two-thirds of readers use digital formats, at least sometimes. Hopefully they know how to turn the page. If the cell service is ever cut off, or if the Bible gets deleted from the internet because it is found to be illegal or improper, whatever the Antichrist has in mind, it'll be something like that. So it looks like I'm onto a question run to show that we have some serious problems within the so called church, and that you didn't hear at first from me, but that we were told by those who foran their race, ensuring that we would be aware and not caught off guard. Can we at all tell them, thanks for the warning, we are prepared as we should be? Not if we're not reading the warnings in the Bible. My next question is as follows How many born again Christians are known to be active in ministry? Based on recent data, twenty five through two thousand twenty six, there are nearly fifty million born-again adults in the United States who have engaged in some form of active evangelistic ministry, that is sharing their faith in the past year. While this represents a large segment of the population, only about thirty one percent of the Christians strongly agree that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith. And the reason why they think that is because they don't read their Bible. But this is a worse problem than we think. Sharing our faith is just one facet to ministry. Before we move up into the rest of the answers to my ministry question, I feel compelled to drop a few scriptures that tell us of our Christian roles which apply to all believers. Mark sixteen, fifteen through eighteen, and he said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe. In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Matthew twenty eight, eighteen through twenty. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew ten seven through eight. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Ephesians four, eleven through twelve. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Corinthians twelve one through twenty eight. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that you were Gentiles carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one is speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed. And no one can say that Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord, and there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one, that is everybody, for the profit of everybody. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge, through the same spirit, to another faith by the same spirit, to another gifts of healings, by the same spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as he wills. Can you save tools for everyone? Yes, everyone, and these tools are not for yourself, but for others. twelve. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ, for by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greek, whether slaves or free, and all have been made to drink into one spirit, for in fact the body is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say because I am not an eye, am I not of the body? Is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased. I'll read that again. But now God has set the members, that is, he tells you what church to go to, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased. And if all were one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body, and the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, and those members of the body which we think to be less honorable. On these we bestow greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body. Let me say it again, who builds the church? God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another, and if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ and members individually, and God has appointed these in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers. After that, listen to those two words, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, variety of tongues. This sounds like a proper order in which we as a church can get some positive results if we just do it the way Jesus said to do it. But for some reason we don't. Second Corinthians five eighteen. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us, that is everybody, the ministry of reconciliation. That means at a minimum you are given a ministry of reconciliation, which means to reconcile those who are separated from God back to God through the demonstration of the gospel in power. I could go on and on, but you get the picture of that. You as an authentically born again believer have no outs as it pertains to serving in the church, and in at least one ministry. This again is why you need to read your Bible and not just a scripture a day deal. Eat one egg a day and see how your natural body responds. I know it's not the same, but actually it is. Spiritual and natural leanness come from the same neglect, a lack of nutrition. Back to the ministry data. Key insights on active ministry 2026. Active evangelism, roughly 60% of the born-again population adult, around 50 million people reported sharing their faith in the last year. Again, this is not a very helpful statistic because if they only did it one time, that explains a lot. Evangelism is an office gift. Look at Billy Graham, he can hold Crusades, Benny Hinn, Catherine Coleman, Maria Edward Edder. These people can pull a crowd together. So you don't need that everybody be an evangelist. What we need are all the rest of the positions working together so that we can make disciples and equip the saints for the work of ministry. Church involvement, active evangelizers are those who share their faith, are more likely to be involved in church activities, with 47% volunteering at their church and 41% participating in small group. Now the old statistic, which I believe is more accurate, is that about 10% of the church actually gets involved with helping the church to grow. That's been my experience in all the churches I've been at. Global missionaries. There are an estimated 430,000 to 450,000 full-time international missionaries serving globally, with many additional millions serving in domestic ministry roles. Now think about the planet's population of 8 billion people. Demographic breakdown. Active sharing is higher among younger, diverse groups, 63% of black and 76% of Hispanic born-again adults. Compared to white born-again adults, which is at 49%. Ministry challenges, while 52% of the churches have a formal plan for discipleship, only 8% strongly agree they are satisfied with their current spiritual formation efforts, indicating a need for more active, effective leaders, or a better, more relational discipleship program. Does this mean that 92% are not getting adequately prepared for the ministry? Yes. And but again, remember that sergeant who showed up at your door, imagine him now telling you that 8% of the 52% of his soldiers are adequately trained for military service, so stay very close to me. None of us would accept such military compromises. Well, I guess except in the church, right? Back to it, key characteristics, high engagement. Those actively engaged in ministry are significantly more likely than inactive believers to volunteer at their church. 47% versus 28%. And attend small groups, 41% versus 22%. Proactive faith, 66% of evangelicals report sharing their faith, compared to 41% of those in mainline churches. Location matters. Surprisingly, Western U.S. states show the highest rate of personal evangelism, 65%, while Midwestern born again adults report lower engagement at 41%. I know, it's a lot of blah blah blah, but it does help. Data gives us a lot of information really fast. The data shows that although nearly 45% of U.S. adults may be classified as born again as of 2006 trends, the number of those actively involved in formal ministry, such as pastoral leadership or long-term missions, is much smaller. Specialized group through lay person ministry, that is sharing faith, remains high. This is all bad and all telling of the American church mindset. Now I have seen churches clear out a parking lot faster than it took someone to think about how to build it. And that's no joke. Acts 5 1 19. But a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostle's feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? After it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. Did you hear that? Great fear. Verse six. And the young man arose, wrapped him up, and carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened, and Peter answered her, Hey, tell me whether you sold the land for so much. She said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to test the spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, they will carry you out as well. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young man came in and found her dead, and carrying her out buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church, and upon all those who heard these things. Again, what happened? A reverential fear of God struck that place where these guys were ministering to the people, and but also teaching, training, and making disciples. twelve. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. See, this is the greatest way to keep the devil out of the church. Just operate in agreement with miracle signs of wonders, and a devil won't show up and try to get in, and if he does, you will see it and send him on his way. Verse fourteen. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them, so that they could get healed. That's what that's saying. Peter's shadow was more anointed than most of us today in today's church, and I'm not picking on you. We can change that. We have to. The devil's comin'. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Did you hear that? And they were all healed. Not one of them, not two of them. All of them were healed. I would love to spend about a week on this scripture alone, but perhaps another time. How about another status update as to our efficiency as a church? Okay, so I asked the question, how many people today have never heard about Jesus? Estimates suggest that between two billion and three point six billion people have never heard the name of Jesus or had a meaningful opportunity to understand the gospel, often referred to as being unreached. Can you believe it with all the social media, avenues, and platforms that we have today? This seems like it would have been true in the caveman days, but to hear these numbers when we have so quick of technology that can reach the whole world with one click of the button. Somebody's not doing their job, and it's us. Key findings on unreached populations. 1.9 to 2 billion plus individuals are considered to have never had the gospel presented to them in a way that they could understand. 3.37 billion people, roughly 40% of the world, are part of the unreached people groups with limited access to the gospel. 3.6 billion is the estimate, often cited in 2026 for those who have not heard the name of Jesus. 50,000 people from unreached groups die daily without hearing the message. 50,000 people, in other words, go to hell because we didn't do our jobs, or we didn't do it better. We can do better. We have to do better. While missionary work continues, this large percentage of the population, nearly one in four to one in three, depending on the study, lacks access to the message, often living in areas where Christian witness is minimal or absent. Well, since I was on a role and I was in a thinking moot, I asked one more question, which is what percentage of the church consistently performs miracle signs and wonders? Remember, this is a sign that you're filled with the Holy Ghost, which is something you gotta have in order to even be considered saved or an authentically born again Christian. While a large number of Christians believe in miracles, the percentage that consistently performs signs and wonders is considered small, often associated with specific charismatic Pentecostal or signs and wonders movements, rather than the church as a whole. Data on the modern experiences of the supernatural reveals that belief is high. Belief is not enough. Okay, roughly 70 to 79% of Americans believe in miracles, you know, like the ones you see Untouched by an angel. I've had twenty of them up here in just a few years. Anyways, experiences are widespread. About thirty-five to thirty eight percent of US adults believe that they have experienced or witnessed a divine healing. Active ministry differs. Among practicing Christians, roughly 69% report having seen or experienced a divine healing, but this refers to witnessing or receiving, not necessarily consistently performing them. Key findings on signs and wonders in the church. Charismatic Pentecostal Emphasis. Consistent practices of miracle signs and wonders is heavily concentrated in Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Apostolic distinction. Some theological perspectives argue that signs and wonders were primarily intended as markers of the apostles and were not intended for every believer. This is a lie from the Father of Lies, and because we do not read our Bibles, under the unction of the Holy Ghost, they are soldiers without weapons or ammo. They stand in the field and go click click click, all the while believing that they are Christians. Small percentage actively performing. While many pray for miracles, a much smaller, unquantified percentage of believers actually function in a regular ministry of signs and wonders, often focusing on healing or prophecy. Regional and denominational differences. Evangelicals, 75% of evangelical Protestants report having received a miraculous answer to prayer. South versus others. The US South reports higher rates of miraculous experiences, thirty four percent, compared to other regions like the Midwest at nineteen percent. Active Science Ministries studies show fifty percent of conversion stories in certain focused ministries involve an identifiable miracle. While the Signs and Wonders movement aim for this to be a normal experience for all Christians, it remains a specific subset experience within the broader, more traditional Christian landscape. Now I challenge you to see if within your own church, miracle signs and wonders are consistently happening. Is this due in part to a lack of fear and reverence for God and his equipping us for ministry through others? We will close with some amazing fear scripture so that we understand our born again experience has to include a reverential fear of God. The Bible states the fear of God eighty-three times, sixty six times in the Old Testament and seventeen times in the New Testament. I weeded through them and only included those which have the most impact, and in and of themselves demonstrate that without the fear of God there is no work being done, and few are saved. I will say that not all of the fear of God scriptures apply to fearing God. Sometimes it was just God saying to others, Do not be afraid. Exodus one seventeen. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. The fear of God saved children? Yes. Exodus 1821. Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear of God, men of truth, hating covetedness, and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. This was when the governmental span of control had occurred, and we use this same process in today's government. To be in leadership you had to have it. I wonder if this is a criteria in today's church. I'm gonna say no. Can you imagine if you were a pastor at an interview and one of the board members said, Do you fear God? And if so, can you give us some examples that prove that you do? That's a great question, right? Leviticus nineteen thirty-two. You shall rise before the grey headed and honor the presence of an older man, and fear your God. I am the Lord. Deuteronomy eight six. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. Look, it was a commandment. Deuteronomy fourteen twenty-three, and you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where he chooses to make his name abide, the tithes of your grain and the new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and of your flocks, that ye may learn to fear the Lord your God always. Second Samuel twenty three three. The God of Israel said, The rock of Israel spoke to me, he who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. This is why we want Christian presidents and governors. Second Kings seventeen thirty nine But the Lord your God you shall fear, and he will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. Nehemiah seven twenty two that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanai and Hananiah, the leader of the citadel. For he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. Psalms fifty five nineteen, God will hear and afflict them, even he who abides from of old. Sela, because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God. Can we say that if you do not change as a Christian regularly, and I'm not talking about your clothing, then you do not fear God. Psalm sixty seven seven, God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm eighty nine seven, God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around him. Proverbs two, one through five. My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs two five. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Ecclesiastes twelve thirteen. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man's all. And Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you who fear God. Listen. Acts thirteen twenty six, men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God. To you the word of his salvation has been sent. Second Corinthians seven one. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Ephesians twenty one, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Hebrews eleven seven. By faith Noah being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Revelation fourteen seven, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made the heavens and earth, and the sea and springs of water. Ladies and gentlemen, we're very close to hearing those words. It's in Revelation. We're in Revelation. Okay, well these days are like no others in all of Christendom. I hope you will take seriously your walk with God. I caution you to be careful as many lies are and will be going out to discredit our faith, to lead us astray. Satan is going to send out a whole batch full of butterflies, and people will chase the butterfly stories rather than stick to what the Bible says. I fear so many will be swept away due to simply not taking God seriously. We have no excuse considering we have his word before us. Let's get to heaven together, shall we? Let's close in prayer. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before your God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Now may the God of peace, the one in whom we call wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, may He Himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To our Lord of Lords and our King of Kings, to our high and lifted up, great high priest who has once and for all paid the price, that you might see and hear God. May He hear and respond to our prayers. To our God we stand and pray as He too always lives to make intercession for you, while seated at the right hand of the Father. May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you, but as well pleasing in his sight. To Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace and believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Well that's it for today. Remember, it's not what you find wrong or disagree with regarding these messages, but what you can take away from it. Together we can do more to impact the kingdom than if we work alone. Let's flip the script and steal, kill, and destroy the works of the enemy and create space for the light of light to shine through in people's lives. Find us even click on the like and subscribe button. We post on your social media platforms, and help us to make disciples. Think this message out or teach from it in your Bible study, life, or snowboard. And yes, even in your church, you can be assured it comes from one called to teach. And though imperfect, you have the word of God to use to test everything I say. Let's put this ministry together. Thanks to see you next time in deep lives.