Overview
This service combined worship, church announcements, a giving moment focused on Nigeria, and a sermon by Pastor John Bevere on the fear of the Lord, emphasizing reverence for God, transformation through His presence, and a call to deeper commitment in faith.
Worship and Vision
- Worship centered on praising God regardless of circumstances, stressing the power of praise and gratitude.
- Emphasis on the church being a family united by faith in Jesus.
- Church vision highlighted as “seek the lost, teach the found, send the disciples,” inspired by the Great Commission.
Conference Highlights and Community Life
- Recap of a recent conference with impactful sessions for both adults and children.
- Noted success of the Patria Kids Conference and active involvement of church teams.
- Warm welcome extended to first-time visitors with acknowledgment and small gifts.
- Encouragement to share love and community, both in-person and online.
Generosity Moment and Nigeria Update
- Ongoing church partnership with missionaries in Nigeria discussed, focusing on persecution and church burnings.
- Church committed to supporting Pastor Friday in Nigeria through church planting, regional crusades, and fundraising for a vehicle—$15,000 already contributed, with matched funds from a partner church.
- Updates planned on these mission efforts; call made for continued financial support from regular attendees.
Introduction of Pastor John Bevere
- Pastor John Bevere introduced as a long-standing friend of the church, recognized for his discipleship work and the book “The Bait of Satan.”
- Praised for innovative approaches to discipleship in restricted countries using secure technology.
Sermon: The Fear of the Lord
- The fear of the Lord described as God’s treasure, Jesus’s delight, and essential for spiritual maturity.
- Clarified fear of the Lord is not terror but reverence, awe, and a desire not to be separated from God.
- Cited scriptural examples (Moses, Abraham, Isaiah) to illustrate intimacy with God comes through reverence and obedience.
- Differentiation made between fearing God and being afraid of Him.
- Taught to tremble at God’s presence and word, responding with immediate, complete obedience even when costly or not beneficial.
- Warned against lawlessness and creating an image of Jesus that serves personal desires rather than true discipleship.
- Shared personal experiences of encountering God’s manifest presence linked to corporate reverence and repentance.
Benefits and Call to Commitment
- Fear of the Lord leads to intimacy and friendship with God; God reveals secrets to those who revere Him.
- Cited Abraham as a model of instant, costly obedience, contrasting with “lots” who lack closeness with God.
- Salvation presented as a total commitment to Jesus, likened to marriage vows, not mere words or divided loyalty.
- Invitation for personal repentance and full surrender to Jesus, with public response and prayer.
Book and Resource Promotion
- Encouraged purchase of “The Awe of God” for further study, available via Amazon and at the church, and promoted group study materials.
Closing Instructions and Prayer
- Attendees encouraged to remain for extended worship and to connect with church next steps, such as growth track and Bible study.
- Prayer for lasting transformation, blessing on the message, and continued reverence as the path to intimacy with God.