Understanding the Fear of the Lord // Hosting His Presence // Pastor Ken Claytor // Alive Church

What does it truly mean to fear the Lord? Is it fear, anxiety, or something deeper? In this powerful and life-changing sermon, Pastor Ken Claytor unpacks the biblical meaning of the fear of the Lord and how it directly impacts our ability to host the presence of God in our daily lives. Rooted in 2 Samuel 6:1–7, this message explores the story of the Ark of the Covenant and reveals a sobering truth: when we lose reverence for God, we begin to treat holy things as common. The result? We distance ourselves from the very presence that brings healing, breakthrough, miracles, and transformation. God is omnipresent—He is everywhere at all times. But there is a difference between His omnipresence and His manifest presence. As believers, we are called to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, carriers of His presence. Yet hosting His presence requires something essential: honor, reverence, and obedience. This sermon challenges us to examine our: - Have we become too casual in God’s presence? - Have we lost our awe and reverence for who He is? - Are we treating holy things as ordinary The fear of the Lord is not about being afraid—it’s about living with a deep awareness of God’s holiness, purity, and authority. It’s recognizing that God is perfect, makes no mistakes, and is always good. This kind of reverence produces honor, obedience, humility, and transformation in our lives. Pastor Ken emphasizes that reverence can leak if we are not intentional. That’s why we must guard our hearts against pride and distraction, and remain anchored in daily devotion—through prayer, worship, and surrender. This message also speaks to practical areas of life: - - Honoring God with your body as a living sacrifice - - Creating boundaries that draw you closer to Him - - Trusting God’s timing instead of controlling outcomes - - Living what you preach, not just speaking it - - Teaching the next generation to honor God’s house When we restore the fear of the Lord, we restore the glory of God at