Like a city breached, without walls,
is one who lacks self-control. (Proverbs 25:28)
Dear Son, Dear Brother
A promise is a debt, so this is me paying the debt of love.
Dear son, dear brother, I thank God for you. Unlike our dear sisters, wife, wife to be, future wife and dear mothers you both have a different and higher kind of direct model to follow: Jesus Christ – who is both fully man and fully God.
A lot has been written about Him in the Gospel, but there is a portion of scripture that summarizes Him in a very personal way that I think would serve for our consideration this morning.
And the glory of Kenya
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John 1:14)
O God of all creation thank you for the people of Kenya, the glory of this nation. Kenya is known worldwide for athletics: there is no moment Kenyans are united as when they are supporting our athletes. The nation stands still as we cheer our men and women on the tracks and in the fields, its amazing. Not once have I found myself literally standing next to the Television, sometimes even touching it, as I urge my countrymen and women to finish and win the race.
The Only Begotten Son of God became flesh and dwelt amongst us. John writes that they beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son of God. It doesn’t mean Jesus was always shining or glaring in light but His life and speech exuded majesty, beauty, and honor. He was different, He represented a different Kingdom: and with every breathe He was true to His calling. We the people of the nation of Kenya are the glory of Kenya: not just by our mere existence but by own allegiance, our life, out conduct, our speech. When these are in line with honoring God who gave us this nation then we epitomize the meaning of this prayer line in the Kenya National Anthem.
Prayer:
O God of all creation, thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ. In Him and through Him we learn and are enabled to live honorably. We learn and are enabled to be the glory of the land of Kenya. We learn and are enabled to propagate honor. Father, help us to appropriate these and other benefits that flow from the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Image Source: Trueafrica
Scripture Readings
Let us Pray
Father, I surrender to you this morning. Use me to speak to us. Teach us Father, encourage us, rebuke us, correct us and guide us in your way. In Jesus Name, Amen
Sermon
Our theme this morning is ‘Living in the Fear of the Lord’. The scripture readings we heard earlier will guide our lesson this morning.
Let us start off with some definitions so that we are clear on what exactly it is we are talking about this morning.
- What is fear? “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat”
- What does it mean to have the fear of the Lord? “ ‘Fear of the Lord’ generally refers to a specific sense of respect, awe, and submission to deity, while ‘Fear of God’ suggests apprehension of Divine Punishment”
To live in the fear of the Lord therefore implies living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ; walking in obedience to His Word. Just like the old hymn reminds us trusting and obeying moment by moment day by day. It means that every area of our lives, including what we use our data bundles on the phone for is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our money, our time, the friends we hang out with, our talks (public and private) our actions are pleasing unto the Lord.
Now that we have a glimpse of what it means to ‘live in the fear of the Lord’ let us turn to our scripture readings and see what the Lord would teach us this morning on the theme.
I see four lessons for us one from each reading.
- How to ‘live in the fear of the Lord’
- Who is the Lord
Two things that keep/can keep us from living in the fear of the Lord
- Living in the fear of ourselves
- Living in the fear of men/others