The Fear Of God by Apostle Emmanuel Iren: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

When Salt Loses Its Savour

Matthew 5:13: "But if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."

Salt without seasoning power is not different from sand. When a believer becomes identical to what they are supposed to preserve — when they lie like the rest, steal like the rest, lack integrity like the rest — they have lost their salt. A Christian who cannot be trusted with money, who cheats and cuts corners, who treats people anyhow, has become white sand. Useful for nothing but to be trampled.

A towing van that needs to be towed — that is the spiritual parable. You who were supposed to strengthen others by now are the one who needs support.

The Communication of Your Faith Must Be Effectual

Philemon 6: "That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."

There should be evidence of your faith — something that can be identified. The same way when you are overseas and you hear your mother tongue being spoken and you instantly connect — that is koinonia. When someone truly carries the Spirit of God, it should be discernible.

Is there anyone in your office that would be surprised to see a church picture of you? What are they seeing Monday through Saturday that is inconsistent with what you do on Sunday?

Even Demons Believe — Faith Without Works Is Dead

James 2:19: "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble." If the totality of your Christian experience is just belief in God, you share that with demons. They not only believe — they tremble. What more is in your life?

The proof of belief is corresponding action. You cannot truly believe it will rain and leave home without an umbrella. You cannot truly believe in the lordship of Jesus and show no change in how you treat people, handle money, or steward your words.

The Fear of God — The Missing Ingredient

Philippians 2:12: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Without the fear of God, there is no incentive for the outworking of salvation. This is what is missing from so much of the church's curriculum.

God called Himself "the Fear of Isaac" in Genesis 31:42, 53 — not because Isaac was terrified, but because that was his reverence, his ultimate accountability. It was the opinion he truly cared about. Matthew 10:28: "Do not fear those who can destroy the body. Fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

The fear of God is what delivers us from every other fear.

Righteousness Exalts a Nation

Proverbs 14:34: "Righteousness exalts a nation." If the aggregate of Christians in a nation are lying, stealing, and behaving like everyone else — then something is wrong, either with the curriculum or with the sincerity of the converts. We must be able to tell the quality of your walk with God by the way you treat the people around you.

• Pay what you owe — don't wait for people to call you; you call them
• When you cannot pay, go in person, open your books, renegotiate honestly
• Don't borrow what you knew you could not repay
• Your speech should be seasoned with grace — it is fools who speak without a filter

A good name is better than silver and gold. Let your name be a bond. Let people be able to take your word to the bank.