1. The Big Picture of LIFE What the wisest man who ever lived concluded about your life.

2. The Big Picture of LIFE n KEY VERSE: Ecclesiastes 12:13 -- Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

3. THINK ABOUT IT! THINK ABOUT IT! n If the wisest man who ever lived concluded that the purpose of your life is first and foremost to FEAR GOD, then you should... 1. Discover what the fear of God is. 2. Understand why God wants us to fear Him. 3. Learn how we can have the fear of the LORD and grow in it.

4. What Does it Mean to “Fear God?” n Fear of God: conveys these ideas: –Awesome respect for God which includes the hatred of evil and a healthy dread of displeasing Him –Reverential trust and love –A deeply serious attitude toward the commands of God n To fear God means that I believe God is so great and so good, especially to me, that I obey Him because I simply DO NOT EVER want to displease Him.

5. Benefits of Fearing God “Why does God want me to fear Him?” n Proverbs 1:7 -- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. n Proverbs 9:10 -- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. n Proverbs 8:13 -- The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. n Proverbs 10:27 -- The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

6. Benefits of Fearing God “Why does God want me to fear Him?” n Proverbs 15:16 -- Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. n Isaiah 33:6b --... the fear of the LORD is his [God’s child] treasure. n Proverbs 22:4 -- By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. n Proverbs 14:26a -- In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence...

7. Two Types of People n Those who don’t fear God. (Romans 3:10-18) n Those who do fear God. (Proverbs 19:23 -- The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.) n Do you fear God? n Do you want to fear Him more?

8. How Do I Get “The Fear of God?” n Once we become Christians, we should grow in the Fear of the Lord by knowing, obeying, and enjoying our incredible GOD! 1. PRAY! Psalms 86:11 -- Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 2. HEAR HIS WORD! Deuteronomy 4:10 -- [The LORD said]…Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me … 3. READ HIS WORD! Deuteronomy 17:19 -- And it shall be with him [the King of Israel], and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God… 4. OBEY GOD! Deuteronomy 6:2 -- That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments… 5. OPEN YOUR EYES TO SEE GOD! (Romans 11:36!)

9. WANT IT! n Proverbs 2:3-5 -- Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.