John Piper - How Do You Fear God?

"Bless the Lord, O My Soul"
June 15, 2008

For more resources, visit www.desiringGod.org.
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[jmacable1]

To all the people implying Piper believes a belief and love and reverence of God should stem from fearing Him and/or Hell... have you read or heard of his book 'Desiring God'? John Piper does a good job here of explaining why we should fear our Maker, he's not trying to tell you why to believe in Him. I think this excerpt of the sermon was directed at believers anyways. Elsewhere in Piper's sermons and books he says that God made us to find supreme joy in Himself (not the things He gives us)

[TheAnniepies]

You think fearing God is moral and honor-worthy? Why would an omnipotent and perfect god care about the doting sycophantisms of one species of its alleged creation? Why would a just god be so jealous and desperate for attention and praise? Why is he so painfully shy? Why does he apparently ALLOW millions of his innocent children to die of horrific, bewildering starvation every year?? You worship an imaginary sadist.

Grow a brain. Stop letting ancient ignorant goat-herders dictate your beliefs.

[laserjik]

i suggest looking into the more humble approach monks have in trying to teach the word of God.  They don't act like this.

[laserjik]

i disagree with the last thing he said. Fearing God is not as simple as fearing hell and his teaching. I don't know that's more of a selfish thing. Because your scared of being in hell because you are going there. I'm still trying to figure this out, but i believe its got to do with reverence and respect. I'm reading about it not figuring it out for myself lol. Which noone can do. I also don't like the way this guy is presenting himself. People will think of us wrongly.

[steveprost]

btw, despite what I say about Piper's explanation falling short, he personally gets it better than any preacher/teacher I've seen demonstrate in his joyful fearful God-fixed tone in preaching/teaching

[steveprost]

Piper's my favorite preacher, but he continually misses the essence/apex of proper fear of GOD in explaining fear of consequences of leaving God.

There's a biblical delightful, yet deeply fearful, fear of God himself... intrinsically... apart from anything you feel He may do or you may be assured that He'll never do to you.

An ecstatic joyful fear of HIM (not CONSEQUENCES of leaving Him) that felt by sinless cherubim circling Him in ecstasy with eyes/feat fearfully covered singing "Holy!Holy!...

[evidenceonlythanx]

What an insane prick .

[MegaMusicforthesoul]

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for those that are in need of nothing; those that are their own "god" and reject Christ Jesus and follow lawlessness. I fear the Father and I fear Christ Jesus, but I love them as well and Jesus is my savior. Proverbs 9:10- "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

God the Father will chastise His own.

[yidnenda]

@thatgreenguy10 That's the second time you've mentioned insults. What are you insulted about?

[thatgreenguy10]

@yidnenda First of all I have not declared victory I have merely stated the obvious, that neither of us are willing to give up our positions especially on youtube and taking your insults are not getting me anywhere.