Sunday June 14 2026 - Recap

In a world where anger seems to dominate headlines and social media feeds, where celebrations turn into destruction and respect appears to be a forgotten virtue, there's an urgent call for the church to examine its own heart. The question isn't whether the world is angry—it clearly is. The question is: Have we, as believers, allowed that same spirit of anger to infiltrate our hearts?

The Danger of Righteous Indignation
It's easy to justify our anger. We call it "righteous indignation" and assume that gives us permission to respond however we want. But Scripture is clear: "Be angry and sin not" (Ephesians 4:26). Notice it doesn't say, "Be angry and do whatever you feel like doing." There's a boundary, a line we're not meant to cross.

Here's a truth that might shake us: God is not angry. Yes, He is a righteous judge. Yes, He sees injustice and sin. But His primary posture toward humanity is love, not wrath. John 3:16-17 reminds us that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

If God didn't send Jesus to condemn the world, then we certainly aren't called to do so either.

Love: The Bridge Over Which Truth Passes
Here's a principle worth writing down: Love is the bridge over which truth passes.
Want to reach that difficult family member? Love them. Want to impact your workplace? Love your coworkers. Want to see transformation in your community? Lead with love, not condemnation.

Anger distorts our perspective. It convinces us that everyone is against us, that our spouse is our enemy, that our coworkers are plotting our downfall. The enemy whispers these lies, and anger makes us susceptible to believing them.

But love—genuine, patient, kind love—changes everything. First Corinthians 13 isn't just for weddings; it's a description of God's character. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love doesn't keep a record of wrongs. This is who God is, and this is who we're called to be.

The Fear of the Lord: Where Wisdom Begins
David, the shepherd-boy-turned-king who never attended seminary but had a heart after God, wrote these words in Psalm 34: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Notice the word "continually." That means there's no room for complaining, griping, or speaking negatively. When praise fills our mouth, it transforms our heart from the inside out.
But David doesn't stop there. He invites us into something deeper: "Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord" (Psalm 34:11).

The fear of the Lord. This phrase appears throughout Scripture, but what does it actually mean?

It's not about being afraid that God will "get us" or punish us. That's not the character of our loving Father. Instead, the fear of the Lord means reverence, honor, and respect. It's recognizing how big God is and how small we are—not in a demeaning way, but in an awe-inspiring, humbling way.

Consider this progression found in Proverbs:

• "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10)
• "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7)
• "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10)

Notice the pattern? Without the fear of the Lord, we cannot truly receive the wisdom of the Lord. They're inseparably connected.

The Benefits of Walking in Reverence
Walking in the fear of the Lord isn't burdensome—it's beneficial. Psalm 34:7 tells us, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them."
Fearing the Lord brings angelic protection. It brings provision: "There is no want to those who fear Him" (Psalm 34:9). A good father protects and provides, and our Heavenly Father does both perfectly.

Think about it: He doesn't want us walking in lack. He wants to care for us, provide for us, and show us how much He loves us. But sometimes we're so busy rushing into His presence with our list of demands that we miss what He really wants to give us—Himself.

Slowing Down in His Presence
Remember the burning bush encounter with Moses? God didn't just appear to give Moses a mission. He appeared to transform Moses from a shepherd of sheep into a leader of people. But that transformation required Moses to stop, remove his sandals, and bow in reverence.

How often do we rush into God's presence, anxious and demanding answers, when He simply wants us to be still and know that He is God? Like a grandfather wanting to hold his squirming grandchild, God sometimes just wants us to slow down and let Him love us.
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) isn't a suggestion—it's an invitation into intimacy.

Approaching the Throne Room
James 1:5-6 gives us clear instruction: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting."

Notice the posture: asking. Humbling ourselves. Coming to the One who has what we need, not with arrogance or entitlement, but with reverence and faith.
It's like knocking on a neighbor's door to borrow sugar. You wouldn't approach a stranger's house demanding ingredients. You go to someone you have relationship with, someone you respect, and you humbly ask.
How much more should we approach the throne of the Almighty with humility and reverence?

Living It Out
The fear of the Lord isn't just for Sunday morning services. It's a lifestyle of honor and respect that follows us everywhere we go—to work, to home, to the grocery store, to every conversation and interaction.

It means presenting ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2), submitting to God's will, and allowing His love to flow through us to a hurting world.
It means refusing to get caught up in the anger and hatred that dominates our culture. It means choosing love, patience, and kindness even when it's difficult.
It means recognizing that every person we encounter is created in the image of God and deserves to be loved, not condemned.

The Invitation
Perfect love casts out all fear—the fear of rejection, the fear of lack, the fear of the unknown. When we truly grasp how much God loves us, we're free to love others without reservation.

And when we walk in the fear of the Lord—in reverence, honor, and respect—we position ourselves to receive His wisdom, His protection, and His provision.

The world is watching. They're looking for something real, something different from the anger and chaos they see everywhere else. Let them see Jesus in us—not through condemnation, but through love. Not through judgment, but through grace.

Because ultimately, that's what the fear of the Lord produces: a heart so transformed by His love that we can't help but reflect it to everyone we meet.