Big Idea: Before we can right the wrongs of the world, we need to be right with God and with each other.
Three action steps to becoming a culture changers:
1. Walk in the Fear of God
Nehemiah 5:1-13
Deuteronomy 23:19-20
Nehemiah 5:9
Servile Fear vs. Filial Fear
Servile means slave.
Servile fear is a kind of fear that a prisoner in a torture chamber feels. It’s a kind of dread and terror created by the imminent danger of pain and torture. That is not the kind of fear that God wants His children to live in.
Romans 8:1
Filial means son or daughter
Filial fear is the kind fear that a child has for a loving father. Filial fear has tremendous respect and love for the father dearly wants to please him. Filial fear is not of torture or punishment, but is afraid of displeasing the father.
Colossians 1:9-11
Ephesians 4:29-31
Matthew 7:3-5
2. Practice the Emptying of Self
Nehemiah 5:14-17
Philippians 2:3-7
3. Cultivate Sincere Love for Others
Nehemiah 5:18-19
John 13:35
1 Peter 4:8
Galatians 6:1
Pastor’s Challenge:
Have you being walking in the fear and reverence of God or walking flippantly in regards to sin?
What does it look like for you to empty yourself as God’s servant?
Do you hold resentment and an unforgiving spirit towards another believer? What does it look like to love them?