They “Feared God”… But They Did Not Fear God 2 Kings So they feared the LORD, and from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. 2 Kings They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods-according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.

They “Feared God”… But They Did Not Fear God 2 Kings So these nations feared the LORD, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children's children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day. 2 Kings 17:34 “To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the LORD…”

They “Feared God”… But They Did Not Fear God 2 Kings 17:34-35 To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the LORD had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel... "You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them.”

Proper Fear of the Lord As taught by Jesus: (Matthew 10:28) "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (NKJV)

Proper Fear of the Lord As taught by Peter: (Acts 10:34-35) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (NKJV)

Proper Fear of the Lord As taught by Paul: (Philippians 2:12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (NKJV)

Proper Fear of the Lord As taught by Solomon: (Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (NKJV) (Proverbs 14:26-27) In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. (NKJV)

Proper Fear of the Lord As taught by Solomon: (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13) Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. (NKJV) (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. (NKJV)

No Fear For Those Who Love the Lord (1 John 4:16-18) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (NKJV)

The Samaritans Worshipped They apparently received teaching from the priests (2 Kgs. 17:28) They appointed priests of their own (2 Kgs. 17:32) There were sacrifices taking place (2 Kgs. 17:32) They served these gods (2 Kgs. 17:33) They had set rituals of worship (2 Kgs. 17:40) …But it was not the worship prescribed by God (2 Kgs. 17:40)

Worship Without Form (Matthew 15:7-8) "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. (NKJV)

Worship Must Be Heartfelt to Be Felt (Psalms 138:1) “I will praise You with my whole heart... (Psalms 146:1-2) Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. (Psalms 147:1) Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

Man Cannot Serve God & the World (Matthew 6:24) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (NKJV)

God: A Jealous God (Exodus 20:5) you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, (NKJV)

Total Commitment Required (Deuteronomy 6:5) "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (NKJV)

Must Love God More Than All Others, Including Self (Luke 14:26) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. (NKJV)

Compromise With the World = Spiritual Adultery (James 4:4) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (NKJV)

Heed the Words of Elijah (1 Kgs. 18:21) “…Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him."

The Words of Paul (Romans 2:28-29) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (NKJV)

The Words of John (1 John 3:18-19) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. (NKJV)