The Fear of God and Humility

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Key Points

Key Points

Proverbs as a Source of New Covenant Truths
- The book of Proverbs contains rare New Covenant truths, unlike most Old Testament books, offering deep spiritual insights in nearly every verse.
- Proverbs 22:4: “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.”
  - Spiritually, this promises spiritual wealth, honor from God, and eternal life, which are desirable for true Christians.
  - Humility and the fear of the Lord are essential but rare qualities among believers today, distinguishing New Covenant Christians.
The Sevenfold Holy Spirit and Jesus’ Example
- Isaiah 11:1-3 describes the sevenfold Spirit resting on Jesus: the Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.
  - Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord, avoiding judgments based on what He saw or heard (Isaiah 11:3-4), relying instead on righteousness.
  - Believers are challenged to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit to gain these qualities, particularly reverence for God, to guide their decisions.
- Revelation 1:4-5, 3:1 references the “seven Spirits” (sevenfold Holy Spirit), emphasizing the Trinity and the Spirit’s role in revelation.
  - Challenge: Believers must diligently study Scripture, comparing verses to uncover truths, as laziness in studying God’s Word hinders spiritual revelation.
Perfecting Holiness Through Fear of God
- 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 7:1: God calls believers to be separate, promising to be a Father to mature sons and daughters, not just children.
  - Challenge: Perfect holiness by cleansing both outward (flesh) and inward (spirit) defilement through the fear of God, avoiding sin as one would avoid a deadly disease like COVID.
  - This requires moving beyond spiritual infancy (e.g., “sitting on God’s lap”) to mature fellowship with God.
Jesus’ Humility as the Model
- Philippians 2:5-8: Jesus exemplified humility in three steps:
  1. As God, He became man (infinite humility).
  2. As man, He became a bond-slave, giving up all rights (John 13:4-5, washing disciples’ feet).
  3. As a slave, He humbled Himself to death on a cross, like a criminal.
  - Challenge: Believers must emulate Jesus’ humility by willingly performing “dirty jobs” for others (e.g., cleaning toilets), especially in secret, without seeking recognition (Matthew 6:3).
  - Humility is the secret to Christian life, repeated thrice for emphasis.
Grace and Freedom from Sin
- 1 Peter 5:5: “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Romans 6:14: “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
  - Grace, given to the humble, prevents sin from ruling believers.
  - Challenge: Persistent sin (e.g., anger, irritation) indicates a lack of grace due to pride. Believers must humble themselves to receive grace and overcome sin.
Jesus’ Fear of God and Prayer
- Hebrews 5:7: Jesus prayed with loud crying and tears to be saved from spiritual death, not physical death, due to His godly fear (James 1:14-15).
  - His sinless life resulted from humility and fear of God, with grace upon Him from childhood (Luke 2:40).
  - Challenge: Believers should pray fervently, even silently in their hearts, to be saved from spiritual death, aiming for 100% spiritual health, just as they pursue physical health.
Being a Bold Witness for Christ
- Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 3:17, Acts 1:8: Jesus was tempted in all points yet sinless, earning the Father’s approval after 30 years of testing. All believers are called to be witnesses.
  - Challenge: Fear of consequences (e.g., job loss) hinders bold witness. Believers must trust God’s provision, as exemplified by the speaker’s experience of leaving a job and relying on God for 60 years.
  - Practical steps: Display a Bible or Scripture calendar at work to spark gospel conversations.
Fulfilling God’s Purpose
- The ultimate goal is a life that testifies to God’s care, unhindered by opposition, even if it leads to martyrdom (e.g., Paul, Peter).
  - Challenge: Live so that at life’s end, others see no explanation for your survival and faithfulness except God’s provision, fulfilling His unique purpose for you.

Challenging Points for Believers

Diligence in Scripture Study: Overcome spiritual laziness by actively seeking answers in the Bible and consulting knowledgeable believers to gain revelation.
Pursuing 100% Holiness: Treat sin with the same seriousness as a deadly disease, aiming for complete spiritual health, not partial victory.
Emulating Jesus’ Humility: Perform lowly tasks without seeking recognition, even in a culture that values status and rights.
Fervent Prayer: Develop a habit of heartfelt prayer, even silently, to avoid spiritual death, requiring discipline like waking up early.
Bold Witness: Overcome fear of earthly consequences (e.g., job loss, missed promotions) to openly declare faith in Christ.
Total Trust in God’s Provision: Surrender financial security and personal ambitions, trusting God to provide, as demonstrated by the speaker’s life.
Enduring Exposure: Live with integrity, knowing all thoughts, words, and deeds will be exposed, aiming for a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

These points challenge believers to prioritize humility, reverence for God, and bold faith, aligning their lives with Jesus’ example to achieve spiritual riches, honor, and eternal life.

Complete Notes

Introduction to Proverbs and New Covenant Truths

You've often heard me say that the book of Proverbs is one of those rare Old Testament books which have lot of new covenant truths in them which is very rare to find in all the other books in the Old Testament. And here is one example of that in Proverbs chapter 22. I would encourage all of you to read and meditate on the book of proverbs regularly. There are many many things you each verse almost has got so much content which is rare to find in other books in the Old Testament.

The Rewards of Humility and Fear of the Lord

Okay. Proverbs 22 and verse 4.
Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.

So you apply that spiritually. Spiritual wealth, spiritual honor from God, and spiritual life. Now, if you're a true Christian, you want all three. You want spiritual wealth and you want honor from God and you want spiritual life which is eternal life. And he says that comes as a reward means is a result of humility and the fear of the Lord. And these two characteristics are very rare to find among many many believers today. I have found very few believers who have genuine humility and a genuine fear of the Lord. So if we are to be new covenant Christians, this is what must distinguish us from all those others who call themselves Christians. What does it mean to fear the Lord? And what does it mean to be humble? Because for us in the new covenant, we don't follow rules. Jesus came to give us an example and he is an example to us in both these areas. It's very important to understand that.

The Sevenfold Holy Spirit and Jesus’ Example

Uh let me show you first of all Isaiah chapter 11. Isaiah 11. Here it is talking about a prophecy concerning Jesus. A chute will spring from the stem of Jesse. Jesse is the father of David and he's talking about Jesus here. A shoot will spring from the genealogical line of Jesse. and a branch from his roots and referring to Jesus it says the spirit of the Lord will rest on him.

Isaiah 11:1-2
A shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him...

If you read in the old test in the new in the book of revelation it speaks two or three times about the seven spirits of God which are before the throne. The real translation would be the sevenfold holy spirit. There is only one holy spirit. So when it says seven spirits, there's a sevenfold holy spirit mentioned in revelation 1:4 there. It speaks of the trinity is God the father, sevenfold holy spirit and Christ.

Revelation 1:4-5
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ...

So the sevenfold holy spirit is described only in one place in the bible. See when you read something like that in the new testament if you're diligent you say where does that come? I'll search for it. Do you read the New Testament like that? I Let me turn there first of all before we get here. Turn to Revelation chapter 1 and verse 4 and 5. John, Revelation 14 and 5. To the seven churches in Asia. Grace to you and peace from him who this is the father who is was and is to come and then from the seven spirits who are before the throne and from Jesus Christ this is the whole trinity father son and holy spirit and the holy spirit is mentioned as seven spirits or sevenfold holy spirit and later on in chapter three and verse one it says the angel of the church in sardis writes he who has the seven spirits of god.

Revelation 3:1
To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God...

I want to ask you dear brothers and sisters whenever when I'm sure all of you have read it sometime did you ever stop to consider what are these seven spirits what is this sevenfold spirit and if you did not stop to consider that and you didn't dig into the Bible to find out I think the Holy Spirit saw you were lazy l a Z Y lazy and he sees that you're not really interested in God's word and that is why you never get any revelation because he sees you're lazy. He never rewards a lazy person. If you want to know the word, prove to the Holy Spirit that you're not lazy, at least from today. that when you read the word and you don't understand something, you're going to stop, compare scripture with scripture or go to somebody who knows the scripture and ask him, "What does this mean, brother?" Then you will get revelation. So now you turn back to Isaiah 11 and you see what the seven spirits are. The sevenfold holy spirit.

Isaiah 11:2-3
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of the Lord...

Okay. First of all, the spirit of the father, the spirit of the lord of Jehovah. So again, the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of counsel that is advice, the spirit of strength, power, the spirit of knowledge, knowledge of the word and of God, and the spirit of the fear or reverence. Fear could be translated as reverence for God. So when the Holy Spirit comes and fills us, you speak about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, fullness of the Holy Spirit, it should fill you with wisdom that is wisdom to live life in a proper way in different situations. Understanding of God, knowing God better and better and better. Counsel means the ability to give advice. strength, spiritual strength, spirit of knowledge, knowledge of the word and knowledge of God and the reverence for the fear means reverence for the Lord. And this is referring to Jesus Christ that this sevenfold spirit would rest on him and that's the same spirit he gives to us. All these things the Holy Spirit can give us if you're baptized in the Holy Spirit and you live in the fullness of the spirit. And what I want you to see here is out of these one thing he takes up one of these seven. And he says especially the Lord Jesus will delight in reverence for God. And when a person delights in reverence for God and if you follow in Jesus' footsteps that fear of God or reverence for God will stop you from making judgments verse three last part by what you see. See all human beings make judgments by what they see. They say I saw that. I saw it with my own eyes and by we will not make a decision by what his ears hear.

Isaiah 11:3
...And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear;

Almost all the information that we've got in our life is from what we have seen and read with our eyes and what we heard with our ears. Everything almost 100%. But he says he will not judge because eyes can your eyes can deceive you. And I believe the sun the sun moving in the sky is is God's way of telling us don't believe your eyes that sun is not moving and yet you see it moving and your eyes deceive you. Don't make a decision by what your ears hear because that could be another side which somebody else has to tell you which brings you the full truth. If you follow that simple principle in the last part of verse three, the fear of God. How do you know you got the fear of God? One way will be that in your life you do not make a decision by what you hear or what you see. You wait and say let me be patient and think about it. There could be another side to it. There could be something else I have not understood fully. So that is what the fear of God brings. And I want you to turn to instead of that it says in verse four with righteousness he will make his judgments.

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness He will judge...

Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God

Now when you turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 7, you see that the fear of God is not just an Old Testament thing. In 2 Corinthians and the end of chapter 6, we're told the Lord says in verse 17, 2 Corinthians 6:17, "Come out from their midst and be separate and do not touch what is unclean. I will welcome you. I'll be a father to you. You shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a Father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

That's a tremendous honor for the Lord to treat us not like children, babies, but sons and daughters. See, we should grow up from being children. Some people like to hear that we're sitting on the lap of God. Who sits on the lap of God? Do you grown up people go and sit on your father's lap? No. It's only babies who sit on a father's lap. So if you keep on hearing about the lap of God, you're a baby and you like to hear it means you love to be a baby. And that's why you don't have discernment. We say, "Lord, I don't want to be forever sitting in your lap. I want to grow up and to be a son of God, a mature son who's walking in your ways and intimate fellowship with you." And it says here, you shall be my sons and daughters. Therefore, sometimes you got to skip the end of the chapter and read the next verse. I have often suggested that to those who read the Bible, whenever you come to the end of a chapter, anywhere in the Bible, at least read the next two, three verses before you close the Bible. you'll you'll discover some amazing things as I have discovered. So therefore, because God has given us such a wonderful promise, let us cleanse ourselves from defilement of the flesh, which is outward sin, and defilement of the spirit, which is inward sin. In the Old Testament, they could only cleanse themselves from outward sin. Now we can cleanse ourselves from flesh and spirit and perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Again, the word the fear of God, it's a New Testament truth to reverence God. That's the only way you can perfect holiness because the fear of God will give make you avoid sin. And if you're if you believe that we have to perfect holiness, it says you're be having these promises. I want to be a son of God. I want to be you are to be a son or a daughter of God and not just a baby.

Jesus’ Humility as Our Example

So when you look at Jesus as our example, there are two things that the New Testament speaks about in relation to Jesus that we are to follow him. One is his humility. What did we read in Proverbs 22? By humility and the fear or reverence of God come riches, honor and life.

Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.

So if you're serious about that, I want spiritual wealth in my life. I want God to honor me in my life and I want spiritual life, humility and the reverence for God. So, first of all, humility. In Philippians in chapter 2, you probably heard me say this before that the three secrets of the Christian life are humility, humility, humility. And I'll tell you where I discovered it. I discovered it in Philippians chapter 2 where we are told in verse 5, have this attitude in yourselves which is in Christ.

Philippians 2:5
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

We saw in Isaiah 11 there were two things that Jesus had. The fear of the Lord and here we see he also had humility. Now this one verse I've often thought Philippians 2:5 is a verse with which you can live your whole life if you don't have a Bible you just need one verse for every situation in life that you can ever face. Here's a verse I'll give you. Have the same attitude that Jesus Christ had. Philippians 2:5. Any situation you face in life, what is the attitude that Christ would have to this situation? You get the answer from the Holy Spirit. It's a very good question to ask yourself. What shall I what attitude would Jesus have? What would Jesus do in this situation? Have the same attitude that Jesus Christ had. One verse is enough to carry you through all your life. And then he tells us what is that one particular attitude he's referring to here. First of all, humility. As God, he became man. That itself is a fantastic step of humility. For God to become man is infinitely coming down to from infinity to zero.

Philippians 2:6-7
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant...

Humility. Secondly, I mean that itself would have been humility, but it says as a man. Second step, verse 7, he became a slave. Born servant means a slave. A slave is one who has no rights. See, as human beings, we have rights. Even even if you employ a servant in your home, he has rights. He's paid. Whereas a slave, we don't see slaves nowadays, but in the days when slaves were there, they were bought in the market. Just like you buy furniture or you go and buy anything, you buy a suitcase or you buy a chair, it's yours. You can do what you like. You can break it, paint it, whatever. It's yours. Slaves were like that. They had no rights. And Jesus made himself a slave. Gave up his rights. That is as a man coming down to level of man. First step of humility was itself a great step. And then he said he came down to the level where he gave up his rights.

Philippians 2:7
...taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Now many people follow Jesus but they haven't given up their rights. They still feel I've got a right to this and right for that and they fight for it also even though they call themselves Christians. Well they haven't even taken they haven't taken this step. So, and one proof of that was, you know, in on the last supper when the bucket of water was there in every Jewish home because they all wore sandals, the feet were dirty. When they came into the house and the a rich man's house, they'd always have a slave and a bucket of water and the slave would come and wash the feet of all the people who came in. But Jesus had told this rich man, "I want to use your upper room, but I don't want any man there. We're going to have a private meeting." So he did not send a slave. He kept the bucket of water. And all the disciples were used to finding some slave to wash their feet. And there was nobody here. And they all went and sat down. And can you imagine the thoughts that went through their mind? Who's going to wash people's feet? Matthew was an important chartered accountant. And John was a relative of the high priest. and different people are all important in their own sense. So Jesus said, "It looks as if I'm the only one who has no importance here." He took the bucket of water and did the job that the slave was supposed to do.

John 13:4-5
...got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet...

See, that's a tremendous example for us to meditate on. You find yourself sometimes in different situations where something has to be done which is the job of a servant maybe tidying up the floor or something where particularly if nobody's watching you you know you go into a situation where there's some dirty job to be done and nobody's done it like you know Jesus said to his disciples you have seen how I have washed your Repeat. You must do that to one another.

John 13:14-15
If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

What does that mean? A lot of people take the word literally. They There are groups like that. I the Pope does it too. Take off people's shoes and wash their feet. That's ridiculous because feet are not dirty. What did Jesus mean? Do a dirty job for your fellow believers. That's what he what he did there. He did the dirty job for his fellow believers. So I remember and for years I've said this in CFC Bangalore. What is the dirty job you folks can do for the church here? It's not washing our feet. We are all wearing shoes and socks. Why do you need to wash their feet? Maybe sweep the floor, but what's the dirtier job than that? I said in our building there are some toilets. Do you Why don't you clean those toilets? You can be a part of this. I even said this. If you want to be a member of this church, go and clean the toilet. That's qualification for being a member in CFC. If you feel you're too big to be uh to clean the toilets in CFC, brother, this is not the church for you. You better find another church. Have you heard of a church like that where the qualification is to clean the toilets first? Why why are people disturbed by that? And then many pe people say, "Oh, what a thing that is." Jesus washed the feet and he said, "Wash one another's feet if you want to follow me. be willing to do any dirty jobs for one another and particularly when they don't know that you've done it. Do it secretly. That's the best way. Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

And so that's the second thing as second humility. As a man, he became a bond slave. Now you think that's the rock bottom. No, it isn't. There's somebody lower than a bond slave on the earth and that is a criminal, you know. someone who's fit to be hanged, not just put in prison, but hanged in those days, crucified. So that's the third step of humility. Being a bond slave alone was not enough. But it says he went down or he humbled himself to the death on a cross, the death of a criminal.

Philippians 2:8
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

That's why I say those are the three steps. Humility, humility, humility is a secret of the Christian life. In other words, you cannot go any further down. And if we are gripped by this, I'll tell you something. God's abundant grace will be upon you.

Grace and Humility

1 Peter 5, I show this to those who are not familiar with scripture. 1 Peter 5:5, God gives his grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5
...God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

I remember we had that verse up there in our wall in a church in Bangalore. God gives his grace only to the humble. If you don't get grace in a situation, you can be absolutely sure why you didn't get it. God saw you're proud. That's all. He does not give grace to a proud person. He gives grace only to the humble. So that's why I showed you these three steps of humility. God gives his grace only to those who choose to go down to the lowest level and be willing to do anything be ignored, despised anything. Lord, that's where you went. I want to go down there. And don't feel offended by it. And don't seek some honor because you went down and humbled yourself. No, this is what the way Jesus went. and your fellowship with Jesus. Now, what is the advantage of getting grace from God? Yeah, that is in Romans 6:14. For many, many years in CFC, we have taught these two verses. God gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5. And secondly, if you get grace, Romans 6:14, no sin can rule you.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Are you, any of you brothers or sisters, ruled by some sin? Do you find you cannot control your anger? Do you find you cannot control your irritation with somebody that you have to speak up and get irritated with your husband or wife? Ah, you're not getting grace. That's the only reason. Ghost one step backward. Why are you not getting grace? There's some pride God sees in your life. The solution to all your problems, humble yourself. You'll get grace. I guarantee from my own experience through many years, I've discovered God gives us grace to the humble. In Romans 6:14, when you're under grace, no sin can rule you. If some sin is still ruling you, go before God and say, "Lord, where is it that I have not humbled myself?" This is the new covenant. New covenant is sin shall not rule over you. The old covenant is you'll be forgiven of your sin. The new covenant is that sin will not rule over you. That's why humility and reverence for God is what is necessary if we want to come into this new covenant life. And that's why we saw there in 2 Corinthians. Let's turn back there to 2 Corinthians in 7 verse 1. God says, "I will make you my sons and daughters." Not just children, not those babies sitting on God's lap. No, I'll make you my grown-up sons and daughters.

2 Corinthians 6:18
“And I will be a Father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

So when there is such a promise, let us perfect holiness. That's like telling your children when they going for their math examination, get 100%. Don't be satisfied with 90%, get 100%. Like you know when people try to keep themselves fit, be perfectly fit, be completely free from sickness, keep be healthy. I mean, who of us wants to have just a little bit of sickness? No, I don't want to I mean a little bit of sickness. I want to be completely healthy. how careful all of us were during the days of the COVID scare. Boy, people would stay 5t away in a in a in a queue or a line that wear masks all the time. We were so careful because CO is a dangerous thing. There are people who die of CO. If we had that type of fear of falling into sin, all of us would be much holier today. If the fear of sin was greater in us than the fear of COVID, think where would we would be today. Let us fear and let us perfect holiness in the fear of God in reverence for God. Let us perfect holiness. This is God's will for us in everything. Jesus is our example.

Jesus’ Fear of God and Freedom from Sin

So did Jesus have the fear of God? We read in Hebrews in chapter 5 is an amazing statement. Why did Jesus not sin? One, because he was humble and grace was upon him. Oh, maybe I should show you that first. Luke chapter 2. Do you know that the first person about whom it is written the grace of God was upon him? Romans 6:14. When the grace is upon you, Romans 6:14 says sin will not rule you. Anytime, my brother, sister, listen to this. Anytime any sin rules you, you've fallen into sin, just humble yourself. Go to God and say, "Lord, I'm not under the umbrella of sin, of grace right now. I'm not under the umbrella of grace and I don't fear God and I'm not humble." That's why I sinned. If you were humble and you feared God, you'd be under grace and you would not sin in that situation. You would not get so upset and irritated. No matter what the provocation, the grace of God can handle anything. If you face up to such situations in your life and say Lord I want to judge myself here. I was not under grace right there and I'm not under grace because however humble I think I am I was not humble there. I thought too much about myself. Okay. Luke chapter 2, the first person in the Bible about whom it is written the grace of God was over him.

Luke 2:40
The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

It's talking about Jesus as a child. He became strong, increasing in wisdom. He continued to grow and the grace of God was upon him. Now connect that with Romans 6:14. When grace is upon you, what happens? You don't sin. You see there why Jesus didn't sin. The grace of God was upon him as a child, which means he humbled himself right from the time he was a child. And he feared God right from the time he was a child. by humility and the fear of the Lord our spiritual riches, spiritual honor and spiritual wisdom. Okay. Now, turn back to Hebrews chapter 5. The grace of God was upon him. What about the fear of God? These are the two things we've been talking about. The grace of God and the fear of God. And Jesus is our example. Hebrews chapter 5, it says here in Hebrews chapter 5 about Jesus, he's a verse 6, he's a priest according to the order of Melkisedc.

Hebrews 5:6
...You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.

And in the days of his flesh, that means during the 33 and a2 years, I can paraphrase it like this. During the 33 and 1/2 years that he was on earth, every single day of the 33 and 1/2 years that he was on earth, let me read it like that. It's correct. Every single day of the 33 and 1/2 years that he was on earth, he prayed and supplicated. Supplicated means pleaded. And how did he pray? With loud crying and tears.

Hebrews 5:7
In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.

When was the last time you prayed with loud crying and tears? Can you remember sometime in your entire life? Once perhaps somewhere. I don't mean when you lost a job or somebody died or something like that. I mean when you He prayed he didn't pray because somebody died. He didn't pray because he lost his job or lost money. He prayed with loud crying and tears for what? He prayed to the father to save him from spiritual death. and he was heard because of his godly fear. You probably never heard a sermon on that because most Christians never preach on that verse. If you ever hear a sermon on that, tell me. I'd like to listen to that man who explains that verse that Jesus was heard because he prayed with loud crying and tears because of his godly fear. We saw that in Isaiah 11. The fear of God, the spirit of the fear of God would be upon him.

And he he prayed for what? It says he had to be saved from death. Now there are two types of death mentioned in the Bible. Spiritual death and physical death. That's all. Which death was this? Not physical death because it says he was heard. He was heard means he was saved from death. He was not saved from physical death. He was only saved from spiritual death. Why was he saved from spiritual death? James chapter 1 says, "A man is tempted, he falls into sin, and the end is spiritual death."

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Three stages. Tempted, sin, spiritual death. Tempted sin, spiritual death. That's the death that Jesus prayed to be saved from. Father, I don't want to sin cuz that leads to spiritual death. And he was heard. How did he pray? To be saved from sin with loud crying and tears. Now you know why Jesus used to go off to the wilderness, spend early morning, rush off to the wilderness, cuz he couldn't pray with loud crying and tears inside the house, disturb everybody else. He'd go to the wilderness and pray. I remember years ago going to this verse and say Lord I want to be free from sin in my life and I was living in Bangalore a crowded city with more than 10 million people and I said Lord there's no wilderness nearby where do I go and the Lord said to me you can make your bed your wilderness early in the morning when nobody is awake and you don't have to raise your voice when you shout to me you can cry out aloud in your heart without any sound coming out of your mouth. I was very thankful that I could fulfill that verse. Have loud crying and tears to be saved from death spirit from sin right on my bed in the middle of the night if I wake up or early morning. I try to do that every morning early morning before everybody else is awake. I try as soon as I get up say Lord I want to get alone with you. I encourage you my brothers and sisters please develop this habit. If necessary get up half an hour earlier. You won't die if you get up half an hour earlier. You'll be able to do your job much better in your place of work. Spend a little time with God every morning before everybody's up. Even those of you who got little babies and all, get up a little earlier. Even if it's only 15 minutes, get alone with God and cry out in your heart without opening your mouth. I've developed that practice now. You can open without opening your mouth, you can cry out in your heart with a loud cry that God hears. He will save you from spiritual death if you're eager about it. I mean, if you're not so eager about being saved from spiritual death, then you can do what you like. And I'm only talking to those who are really eager to follow Jesus footsteps to be saved from sin 100%. Just like you tell your children, aim for 100%. In you want 100% health, right? Is anybody here who's happy with 80% health, 90% health, 99% health. You aim for 100% health physically. Why not aim for 100% health spiritually? I have had very few Christians who are eager to have 100% health spiritually. some little slip up and they say, "Oh, that's not serious. A little cancer is not serious." They wouldn't say that about physical health. No, we want to be completely free. Look at the number of checkups for medical checkups and the tablets we take to keep ourselves physically fit. We should be if we really believe that the spirit is more important than the body and that our eternity is more important in this world, we'll be just as eager or more eager to keep ourselves spiritually fit 100%. Not 90%.

Jesus’ Testing and Our Calling

He saved. Why we say how did Jesus live on this earth? Like it says in Hebrews 4:15, tempted in every single point as we are.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Did you read that? Hebrews 4:15, the last part. He can sympathize with us because he was tempted in every single point as we are. Yet he did not sin in any point. This was Jesus testing throughout his life. And it is only after 30 years of testing like that that the father said, "This is my beloved son in whom I'm well pleased. Here I anoint you with the holy spirit. Go and minister."

Matthew 3:17
and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

That is my example. Then the father should look at me and say, "I'm well pleased with you. here is the power of my spirit. Go in my power and preach my word. That's what he said to Jesus. And that's what he can say to you. You may say, "Oh, but I'm not called. You're not called because the Lord says you're too lazy." Jesus said, "You're all my witnesses."

Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses...

Who is excused from being a witness? Not even a sister is excused from being a witness. You may not get up here and preach in the pulpit, but to be a bold witness for Christ. What's stopping you from being a bold witness for Christ in your office, for example? You're afraid you'll lose your job. That was a test for me in the Navy. It's very dangerous to be a bold witness for Christ in the military. But I said, Lord, I'm not going to be afraid of that. Nobody can fire me from my job if you you're on my side. And every place I went to, every ship I was in, every naval base I was in, I said, "Lord, I will be a bold witness for you. Everybody in the office I work in will know I'm a wholehearted Christian. It's easy to do it. I keep a Bible on my table." People say, "What is that?" Good opportunity to give the gospel. It's it's easy. And if a room was my own, I could put up a calendar on the wall with a verse on it from the Bible. If you want to be a witness for Christ, you can do it in some way or the other. Make people in your office know that I'm not like the run-of-the-mill type of Christian. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. And it's a wonderful thing. You may lose a promotion. Praise the Lord. You'll get something better than that from heaven. Some earthly promotion. What is that? What you think? If you lose something on earth, I tell you, God will give you a thousand times more to replace that. I've experienced it again and again and again. And I'm telling you from my own experience. He'll take care of you financially. I remember when I quit my job and gave all of my life savings to the Lord's work 60 years ago. The Lord's taken care of me all these through these years without a salary and without asking anybody for money, without sending any prayer letters, without doing all the things that other full-time workers do. God is faithful. Most people can't believe it. Oh, no, no, no. There must be some secret reason. There's no secret reason. The only reason is that if you fear God, he'll take care of you without a doubt. I want you to know this, brothers. This has been my ambition in life and I pray you'll make it your ambition too that when you've come to the end of your life and if your whole life is to be exposed secret parts, thoughts, words, deeds, attitudes, all the situations you faced in your life, how you lived at home and in your office and everything, everything is exposed. They should be able to say there's no explanation for this guy's life except that he had a father in heaven who took care of him. He could have got into 101 problems because he stood up for Christ here, there, and everywhere. How in the world did he survive? Because he had a father in heaven who took care of him and undertook for him. Dear brothers and sisters, that should be your testimony at the end of your life. No man could touch me because I have a father in heaven. Oh, they may take my life, kill me. They chopped off Paul's head and they crucified Peter. That's fine. They could not hinder God's purpose from being fulfilled. There's a purpose God has for each one of you. It's all right if you're crucified or killed or head chopped off because you stand up for Christ. I don't mind all that. But we must fulfill the purpose with which God allowed you to be born. Take that seriously from today.

Closing Prayer

May God help us. Let's bow in prayer. Our heavenly father, please help us to take our Christian life seriously to know that this is not fun and games but serious because the world is sinking further and further away from you and you've kept a few of us on this earth to stand as a light to be a bold witness against all this corruption against a world which is rushing in the opposite direction to stand against them and to proclaim your light. Manifest your light and proclaim your word. Please help us father. Help everyone here to take seriously what they've heard today despite all the limitations of my communication. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Questions

Questions to Check Reader Understanding

1. Understanding Proverbs and New Covenant Truths

What makes the book of Proverbs unique among Old Testament books, according to the sermon?
- Hint: Consider the sermon’s emphasis on New Covenant truths (Proverbs 22:4).
- Expected Answer: Proverbs contains rare New Covenant truths, offering deep spiritual insights in nearly every verse, unlike most Old Testament books.
According to Proverbs 22:4, what are the rewards of humility and the fear of the Lord, and how are they applied spiritually?
- Hint: Reflect on the sermon’s explanation of “riches, honor, and life.”
- Expected Answer: The rewards are riches (spiritual wealth), honor (from God), and life (eternal life).

2. The Sevenfold Holy Spirit and Jesus’ Example

What are the seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit listed in Isaiah 11:2-3, and which one does the sermon highlight as particularly significant for Jesus?
- Hint: Review the sermon’s discussion of the sevenfold Spirit and Jesus’ delight.
- Expected Answer: The characteristics are the Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. The sermon highlights Jesus’ delight in the fear of the Lord.
How does the sermon interpret the “seven Spirits” in Revelation 1:4-5 and 3:1, and what challenge does it pose to readers regarding this concept?
- Hint: Consider the sermon’s call to diligence in studying Scripture.
- Expected Answer: The “seven Spirits” refer to the sevenfold Holy Spirit, part of the Trinity. The challenge is to avoid spiritual laziness by researching unclear terms, comparing Scriptures, or asking knowledgeable believers.
How did Jesus demonstrate the fear of the Lord in His decision-making, according to Isaiah 11:3-4?
- Hint: Think about what Jesus avoided and what He relied on.
- Expected Answer: Jesus did not judge by what He saw or heard but made decisions with righteousness, showing reverence for God.

3. Perfecting Holiness Through Fear of God

What does 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 and 7:1 teach about God’s promise and the believer’s responsibility in pursuing holiness?
- Hint: Reflect on the sermon’s explanation of being sons and daughters.
- Expected Answer: God promises to be a Father to believers as mature sons and daughters, not babies. Believers must cleanse themselves from defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Why does the sermon compare the fear of sin to the fear of COVID?
- Hint: Consider the sermon’s emphasis on urgency in avoiding sin.
- Expected Answer: The sermon suggests that if believers feared sin as much as they feared COVID, they would pursue holiness with greater urgency, aiming for 100% spiritual health.

4. Jesus’ Humility as the Model

What are the three steps of Jesus’ humility described in Philippians 2:5-8, and how does the sermon illustrate the second step with a specific example?
- Hint: Recall the sermon’s discussion of the Last Supper.
- Expected Answer: The three steps are: (1) God becoming man, (2) man becoming a bond-slave, and (3) bond-slave dying as a criminal on a cross. The second step is illustrated by Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5), a task for slaves, showing He gave up His rights.
What practical application does the sermon draw from Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15)?
- Hint: Think about the sermon’s example of “dirty jobs.”
- Expected Answer: Believers should do humble, “dirty jobs” (e.g., cleaning toilets) for others, especially in secret, without seeking recognition, as Jesus did.
Why does the sermon emphasize doing humble acts in secret, referencing Matthew 6:3?
- Hint: Consider the sermon’s focus on true humility.
- Expected Answer: Doing humble acts in secret ensures the act is for God’s glory, not personal recognition, aligning with Jesus’ teaching to not let the left hand know what the right hand does.

5. Grace and Freedom from Sin

According to 1 Peter 5:5 and Romans 6:14, why does sin rule over some believers, and what is the solution?
- Hint: Reflect on the sermon’s connection between pride, grace, and sin.
- Expected Answer: Sin rules due to pride, which blocks God’s grace. The solution is to humble oneself to receive grace, which prevents sin from ruling.
How does the sermon connect Luke 2:40 to Jesus’ sinless life?
- Hint: Consider the role of grace in Jesus’ childhood.
- Expected Answer: Luke 2:40 states the grace of God was upon Jesus as a child, enabling Him to live sinlessly because grace, received through humility, prevents sin from ruling (Romans 6:14).

6. Jesus’ Fear of God and Prayer

What does Hebrews 5:7 reveal about Jesus’ prayer life, and what specific type of death did He pray to avoid?
- Hint: Review the sermon’s distinction between physical and spiritual death.
- Expected Answer: Jesus prayed with loud crying and tears to be saved from spiritual death, not physical death, and was heard because of His godly fear.
How does the sermon suggest believers can emulate Jesus’ fervent prayer (Hebrews 5:7) in a modern context?
- Hint: Think about the sermon’s practical advice for prayer in a busy city.
- Expected Answer: Believers can pray fervently in their hearts, without vocalizing, early in the morning on their bed, treating it as a “wilderness” to cry out to God for deliverance from sin.
Why does the sermon encourage aiming for 100% spiritual health, referencing James 1:14-15?
- Hint: Consider the sermon’s analogy to physical health.
- Expected Answer: James 1:14-15 shows that temptation leads to sin and spiritual death. Believers should aim for 100% spiritual health, as they do for physical health, to avoid any sin, not excusing “small” sins.

7. Being a Bold Witness for Christ

What does Hebrews 4:15 and Matthew 3:17 teach about Jesus’ preparation for ministry, and how does it apply to believers?
- Hint: Reflect on the sermon’s discussion of Jesus’ testing.
- Expected Answer: Jesus was tempted in all points yet sinless (Hebrews 4:15), earning God’s approval after 30 years (Matthew 3:17). Believers must endure testing to be anointed as witnesses (Acts 1:8).
What practical steps does the sermon suggest for being a bold witness in the workplace?
- Hint: Consider the speaker’s personal examples.
- Expected Answer: Keep a Bible on your desk or display a Scripture calendar to spark gospel conversations, showing you’re a wholehearted Christian.
How does the sermon address fears about being a bold witness, and what assurance does it offer?
- Hint: Recall the speaker’s Navy experience and trust in God.
- Expected Answer: Fear of consequences like job loss hinders bold witness, but God will provide, as shown by the speaker’s 60 years of provision after quitting his job, ensuring believers won’t be harmed if God is on their side.

8. Fulfilling God’s Purpose

What is the sermon’s ultimate ambition for a believer’s life, and how does it relate to God’s care?
- Hint: Think about the sermon’s vision for life’s end.
- Expected Answer: The ambition is that one’s life, when fully exposed, shows no explanation for survival except God’s care, proving His faithfulness despite opposition.
Why does the sermon say martyrdom (e.g., Paul, Peter) is acceptable, and what must believers prioritize?
- Hint: Reflect on the sermon’s closing challenge.
- Expected Answer: Martyrdom is acceptable because it doesn’t hinder God’s purpose. Believers must prioritize fulfilling the unique purpose God has for their lives, standing as a light in a corrupt world.

How to Use These Questions

Individual Study: Readers can answer these questions after reading the sermon to test recall and understanding. Use a notebook to write answers, referencing the cited verses.
Group Discussion: In a Bible study group, assign questions to members to discuss, encouraging them to connect the sermon’s points to their lives.
Teaching Tool: Teachers or pastors can use these as quiz questions or discussion starters to gauge comprehension and application among listeners.
Self-Assessment: Pair these with the self-reflection questions from the previous response to deepen understanding and personal application.

Self Check

Self-Reflection Questions

1. Engagement with Scripture (Proverbs 22:4, Revelation 1:4-5, 3:1, Isaiah 11:1-3)

Am I diligent in studying God’s Word, or do I skim over passages without seeking deeper understanding?
- Reflect: When I encounter unfamiliar terms like “seven Spirits” (Revelation 1:4-5, 3:1), do I stop to research, compare Scriptures (e.g., Isaiah 11:1-3), or ask someone knowledgeable, or do I move on, indicating spiritual laziness?
- Action: How can I commit to exploring one unclear verse or concept this week to grow in revelation?
Do I value the book of Proverbs as a source of New Covenant truths?
- Reflect: Do I regularly read and meditate on Proverbs to uncover spiritual wealth, honor, and life (Proverbs 22:4)? If not, what prevents me from prioritizing this book?
- Action: Can I set a goal to read one chapter of Proverbs daily and journal one insight?

2. Humility in Daily Life (Philippians 2:5-8, John 13:4-5, 13:14-15, Matthew 6:3)

Do I exhibit the humility of Jesus in my daily interactions?
- Reflect: Am I willing to perform “dirty jobs” (e.g., cleaning, serving others) without seeking recognition, as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5)? Or do I feel such tasks are beneath me?
- Action: What is one humble act I can do this week for someone, especially in secret (Matthew 6:3)?
Have I given up my “rights” to follow Jesus’ example?
- Reflect: Do I cling to personal rights (e.g., demanding respect, fairness) like the disciples who hesitated to wash feet, or do I emulate Jesus’ bond-slave humility (Philippians 2:7-8)?
- Action: In what situation this week can I choose to surrender a “right” to serve others?
Do I seek God’s grace through humility?
- Reflect: When I struggle with sin (e.g., anger, irritation), do I recognize pride as the root cause, blocking God’s grace (1 Peter 5:5, Romans 6:14)?
- Action: Where have I lacked grace recently, and how can I humble myself before God to receive it?

3. Fear of God and Pursuit of Holiness (2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 7:1, Isaiah 11:3-4, Hebrews 5:7)

Do I demonstrate a genuine fear of God in my decision-making?
- Reflect: Do I avoid snap judgments based on what I see or hear, seeking God’s righteousness instead, as Jesus did (Isaiah 11:3-4)? Or do I rely on my senses, indicating a lack of reverence?
- Action: In a recent decision, did I pause to seek God’s perspective? How can I practice this in future choices?
Am I pursuing 100% holiness with the same urgency I apply to physical health?
- Reflect: Do I treat sin as seriously as a deadly disease like COVID, striving to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1)? Or do I excuse “small” sins as insignificant?
- Action: What specific sin do I need to address with the same diligence I apply to physical health checkups?
Do I pray fervently to be saved from spiritual death?
- Reflect: Have I ever prayed with the intensity of Jesus’ loud crying and tears to avoid sin and spiritual death (Hebrews 5:7)? If not, what holds me back from such earnest prayer?
- Action: Can I commit to 15 minutes of heartfelt, silent prayer each morning this week, crying out to God for deliverance from sin?

4. Freedom from Sin Through Grace (Romans 6:14, Luke 2:40)

Is sin still ruling over me in any area of my life?
- Reflect: Where do I struggle with recurring sins (e.g., anger, irritation)? Do I see these as evidence of not being under grace due to pride (Romans 6:14)?
- Action: What specific area of sin can I bring to God, asking Him to reveal where I need to humble myself?
Am I living under the grace that was upon Jesus?
- Reflect: Jesus’ sinless life was marked by grace from childhood (Luke 2:40). Do I actively seek this grace through humility and fear of God, or do I assume I’m “covered” without effort?
- Action: How can I cultivate humility and reverence today to ensure I’m under God’s grace?

5. Being a Bold Witness for Christ (Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 3:17, Acts 1:8)

Am I a bold witness for Christ in my daily environment?
- Reflect: Do I openly identify as a disciple of Jesus in my workplace or community (e.g., displaying a Bible, sharing my faith), or do I fear consequences like job loss or rejection (Acts 1:8)?
- Action: What is one practical step I can take this week to make my faith visible (e.g., placing a Scripture calendar on my desk)?
Have I faced and overcome tests of faith like Jesus did?
- Reflect: Jesus was tempted in all points yet remained sinless, earning God’s approval (Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 3:17). Have I persevered through trials to stand firm for Christ, or do I compromise under pressure?
- Action: In what current trial can I choose to stand boldly for Christ, trusting God’s provision?

6. Fulfilling God’s Purpose

Am I living for God’s purpose, trusting His provision?
- Reflect: Do I trust God to provide for me, even if I risk earthly losses (e.g., promotions, finances) for standing for Christ, as the speaker did 60 years ago? Or do I prioritize earthly security?
- Action: What sacrifice can I make this week to prioritize God’s purpose over personal gain?
Will my life testify to God’s faithfulness?
- Reflect: If my entire life—thoughts, words, deeds, attitudes—were exposed, would others see undeniable evidence of God’s care, as the speaker desires? Or would there be gaps due to fear or pride?
- Action: What change can I make today to ensure my life reflects God’s faithfulness, even in adversity?

How to Use These Questions

Set Aside Time: Dedicate 15-30 minutes in a quiet space, perhaps early in the morning as suggested in the sermon, to reflect on these questions. Use a journal to write down your thoughts.
Pray for Insight: Begin with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of pride, lack of reverence, or spiritual laziness (Hebrews 5:7, 2 Corinthians 7:1).
Be Honest: Answer each question candidly, identifying specific situations or sins where applicable. Avoid generalities to pinpoint growth areas.
Take Action: For each reflection, commit to one practical step to align with Jesus’ example of humility and fear of God. Track progress over the week.
Review Weekly: Revisit these questions weekly to assess growth in humility, reverence, holiness, and boldness, adjusting actions as needed.