The Blessings of Walking in the Fear of God

Temple Baptist Church - 4-6-2025

Psalm 128

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 128 is one of the "Songs of Degrees" intended to be sung by those traveling to Jerusalem during the three major feast days when all males were required to attend.

 

1.  These journeys were often long, dangerous, and lonely, as Jewish communities were dispersed throughout the known world. Some pilgrims came from Spain, others from deep in Africa, some from the far north, and others from the far east. It was a long and challenging journey.

 

2.  Psalm 128 is one of the "Songs of Degrees" intended to be sung by those traveling to Jerusalem during the three feast days when all males were required to attend. These journeys were often long, dangerous, and lonely, as Jewish communities were dispersed throughout the known world. Some pilgrims came from Spain, others from deep in Africa, some from the far north, and others from the far east. It was a long and challenging journey.

 

B.  Psalm 128 is brief, yet it contains a lasting blessing within its verses. As the pilgrims approached Jerusalem, they were reminded of the importance of fearing God and following His ways. This journey was not in vain, but rather a blessing! I fear that too often, our gathering together is taken for granted or seen as a burden by some. While it's easy to prepare for a vacation and exciting to hit the road to our desired destination, it can be challenging to take the time to get ready for church. The Upward Psalms express the excitement and joy in the hearts of these believing Jews.

 

C.  Now, a simple breakdown of the Psalm.

 

1.  Verse 1:  A Walk Well Chosen. 

 

2.  Verse 2:  A Blessing Pronounced.

 

3.  Verses 3-4:  And Example Set.

 

4.  Verses 5-6:  A Future Secured.

 

1.  The Walk Well Chosen.  Fear of God and Obedience to God’s Will and Way.  Walking in the Fear of God is a choice that every believer makes. 

 

a.  Solomon, in Ecclesiastes (The Preacher), called a life given to the flesh “the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness.”

 

b.  At the end of the book, this is the conclusion that he found that honored God:  fear  God and keep His commandments.

 

c.  This would seem to be the only path the believer desires, but this is not so.  In the churches of our day, we find much more love of the world than we find the love of God.  More obedience to the flesh than obedience to the Spirit.

 

d.  Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  (Romans 8:1)

 

Galatians 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 

2.  The Blessing Bestowed. 

 

a.  Rewarded in His Work “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:”

 

Ecclesiastes 8:15  Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

 

b.  Happy in His Life: “Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”

 

Proverbs 3:13-18  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.  (14)  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.  (15)  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.  (16)  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.  (17)  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  (18)  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

 

c.  The Benefits of the Fear of the Lord:

 

1)  Gives the believer Protection.  Job 28:28  And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

 

2)  Gives the believer a Clean Life.  Psalms 19:9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

 

3)  Gives the believer Wisdom.  Psalms 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

 

4)  Gives the believer Knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

5)  Gives the believer a Long life.  Proverbs 10:27  The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

 

6)  Gives the believer Confidence.  Proverbs 14:26  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

 

7)  Gives the believer a Good Life.  Proverbs 14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

 

8)  Gives the believer a Knowledge of God.  Proverbs 14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

 

9)  Gives the believer Stability.  Isaiah 33:6  And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

 

10)  Gives the believer Peace and Comfort.  Acts 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

 

c.  Blessed in His Family  “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

 

1.  The Blessing of a Good Wife.  A God fearing man walking in the way of the Lord will be blessed with a good wife.  His wife is compared to a “fruitful vine.”  I want to tie two like verses together.  They are the only two of their kind.

 

a)  A verse on Wisdom.  Proverbs 8:35  For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

 

b)  A verse on a Wife.  Proverbs 18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

 

1)  A Godly Wife is a Good Thing!  What a joy to walk hand-in-hand in this life with the one that you love, and that God gave to you.

 

2)  A Godly Wife brings the Favor of the Lord.  God smiles upon marriage and blesses it.

 

c)  You young men want a good wife?  Get wisdom, which is walking with God in fear of the Lord, and God will give you a good wife in the favor of the Lord!

 

2.  The Blessing of Good Children.  The bible equates these children to “olive plants.” 

 

a)  Olive plants have great Value.  For their food and for their oil.

 

b)  Olive plants have great Longevity.  There are still olive trees in the garden that Christ frequented 2,000 years ago, and these trees continue to bear fruit.

 

c)  Olive plants are virtually indestructible.  Burning, freezing, droughts, and similar conditions may kill the tree above ground, but new trees will grow from the roots.

 

d)  Olive plants are Fruitful.  The average yield of olive trees is app. 400 lbs. 

 

e)  Olive plants give Health.  Olives are an incredibly healthy fruit, packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber.

 

f)  Olive plants are considered sacred.  Down to our day, we call peace “Extending an Olive Branch.”

 

Psalms 127:3-5  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  (4)  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  (5)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

 

Conclusion:  I believe this Psalm can be summed up in these two verses of the Bible.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: (1)  Fear God, and (2)  keep his commandments: for this is the (3) whole duty of man.  (14)  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

 

1.  Fear God!

 

2.  Walk in His ways!

 

3.  And God will bless!

Theology: The Doctrine of God - Part 7

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-6-2025

Ephesians 3:17-19

 

II.  The Attributes of God

  “God Is Love”

 

A. One of the greatest attributes ascribed to God in the Bible is that God is love.  The Word of God declares in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.”  God does not try to love; rather, God is the very essence of love.  Thus, with God being love, His holiness and justice are tempered with love.  I am glad that God loves me in spite of myself rather than because of me.

 

1.  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, we must consider one of God's most wonderful attributes: His ability to love without being loved and to love the unlovable.

 

2.  This attribute of love is inclusive, not exclusive, as Reformed Theology teaches.

 

3.  The First Mention of love is one of sacrificial love.  Genesis 22:1-2  And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.  (2)  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

 

4.  A Father’s willingness to offer his only son as a sacrifice.  In verse 13 of Genesis 22, we find a “substitutionary death,” as a ram took Isaac’s place, a beautiful type of the Lamb of God dying for the sinfulness of mankind.

 

Genesis 22:13  And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

 

B.  It is important for mankind to know that God’s love for them is so deep that the Bible says it is incomprehensible!  Beyond our scope to understand and acknowledge.  Yet, the Bible also says that we may comprehend and know the love of Christ! 

 

Ephesians 3:17-19  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  (18)  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  (19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

 

C.  “To comprehend … the love of Christ … which passeth knowledge” is not a contradiction; it specifies that, within the limitations of our humanity, we can understand (to know the love of Christ) the depth and scope of God’s love to some degree.  In this realm, we can know Christ's love and experience the fullness of God in our lives.  The little children’s song says, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!”  I John 2:1 says, “My little children!”  We are children of God.

 

D.  In Ephesians chapter 3:17-19, We find four things concerning the scope and fullness of God’s love for mankind.  Though not totally comprehensible, the Bible gives us four things to consider and know in these verses.

 

1.  The Breadth Of God’s Love – 1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

 

I cannot fully understand it, but I fully believe it!

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

2.  The Length Of God’s Love – Psalms 86:15  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 

 

2 Samuel 12:13  And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

 

Luke 22:31-32  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (32)  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

The longsuffering of God’s love, coupled with the forbearance of God’s love, is beyond my comprehension; however, I have seen it, experienced it, and believe it. 

 

3.  The Depth Of God’s Love – 1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 

 

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

I cannot understand it, but I have received it!

 

4.  The Height Of God’s Love – Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But grace did much more abound where sin abounded: 

 

John 4:16-18  Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.  (17)  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:  (18)  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

 

a.  God the Father’s Love is a Universal Love – She was a Samaritan Woman! 

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  (God sent His Son to die for all mankind. There is the misconception that God does not love all of mankind.  We refer to this as Calvinism.  It is a damnable heresy!)

 

b.  God the Father’s Love is a Limitless Love – She was a Sinful Woman.

 

1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (There is no sin for which His Son to die for.)

 

Luke 8:2  And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

 

I cannot understand it, but I have experienced it! The vilest sinner can come to Christ and be washed whiter than snow. 

 

E.  Comprehending the Love of God.

 

1.  God the Father’s Love is a Providential Love – John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

 

God the Father knew me before I was conceived and loved me before I came to know Him.

 

2.  God the Father’s Love is a Sacrificial Love – 1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

 

God the Father gave His Son to pay for my sins before I even committed them.

 

3.  God the Father’s Love is a Personal Love – John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

 

God the Father did not just love the world, He loved you and me!

 

4.  God the Father’s Love is a Transforming Love – 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

 

From the foundation of the world, God the Father knew me and what I would become when I was saved.

 

5.  God the Father’s Love is a Contemplating Love – Psalms 40:17  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. 

 

God the Father cares about every aspect of my life.

 

6.  God the Father’s Love is a Correcting Love – Hebrews 12:5-8  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  (6)  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

 

God the Father made provision for my faults and failures as a child of God before I even failed Him.

 

7.  God the Father’s Love is an Unchanging Love – J eremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 

 

God intended to love me unconditionally throughout eternity.

 

8.  God the Father’s Love is a Bestowing Love – 1 John 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 

 

God the Father knew that one day I would be like Him!

 

9.  God the Father’s Love is an Influential Love – Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

 

God the Father knew that I would one day be a witness for Him.

 

10.  God the Father’s Love is often an Undesired Love – John 1:10-11  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 

Do you know Him this morning?  God loves you!