Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Appreciating the book of Deuteronomy

a. Significant historical events are recalled

b. Relevant lessons are drawn out

c. Lessons which will put us on the right path

i. The path of blessing

ii. The path of success

2. Today’s focus: Having a heart to fear the LORD

29 Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!   Deuteronomy 5:29

a. God looks at our hearts

b. The heart represents who we really are on the inside

c. The fear of God will truly be a part of us when it is in our heart

RECALLING A SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENT

1. The LORD made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai (Horeb)    (Deuteronomy 5:2-22)

a. God manifested His presence in Mount Sinai in powerful ways – fire, cloud, thick darkness

b. God spoke the 10 commandments to the people directly (face to face)

2. The response of the people    (Deuteronomy 5:23-27)

a. They had seen God’s glory and greatness

b. They had heard God’s voice

c. They feared God at that very moment

d. They also feared for their lives

e. They asked Moses to hear God’s words on their behalf

f. They would hear God’s Word through Moses and obey Him

3. God’s response to the words of the people    (Deuteronomy 5:28-29)

a. “They are right in all that they have spoken”

i. The fear of God they experienced at Mount Sinai was good and right

ii. This was a valid response

b. “Oh, that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and always keep all my commandments”

i. But they had not yet learnt the lesson that God intended for them

ii. The fear of God they felt was only for the moment

iii. They did not yet have a heart that feared God

THE RELEVANT LESSON: HAVING A HEART TO FEAR GOD

29 Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!   Deuteronomy 5:29

Reasons why the fear of God must be in the heart

1. Because it will deter us from the dangers that lie within the heart

“Oh, that they had such a heart in them…”

a. The heart is prone to sinful inclinations

b. The heart tends to be stubborn and rebellious (eg. the 1st generation of Israel that came out of Egypt)

c. The fear of God restrains the sinful tendencies of the heart

2. Because it will direct us on the path of keeping God’s commandments

“…That they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments…”

a. The fear of God in the heart is expressed in the keeping of His commandments

b. It will direct us to

i. Know God’s Word

ii. Keep God’s Word

iii. To seek to do so “always”

3. Because it will determine whether God will bless our lives

“…That it might be well with them and with their children forever.”

a. The LORD will bless the one who has a heart to fear Him and keep His commandments

b. This blessing can even extend to future generations

c. On the contrary, the LORD will not bless the one who does not fear Him

ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL

1. To deal with the sinful inclinations of the heart

2. To decide to have a heart that fears God

3. To develop a heart that fears God

4. Until it becomes defining characteristic of who we are