Title: WHAT GOD EXPECTS
Text: Deuteronomy 10:12–13 KJV
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
INTRODUCTION
I remember when I was still working in a secular company. Every time I accepted a new role at a company, I expected to receive a clear “Job Description.” It’s helpful to understand what’s expected from the start. Likewise, when your boss assigns you a project, knowing the desired outcome helps prevent unnecessary guesswork.
Recall your childhood. As kids, you would clean your room to what you believed was “good enough.” You might wipe a shelf, toss toys under the bed, and think the task was complete. However, when your parents came in to check, they would inspect, uncover hidden items, and point out areas that didn’t meet their standards.
Today, as born-again Christians, we face the same challenge. Our old, fleshly nature constantly urges us to settle for a Christian life that only meets the world’s lax standards. We might attend church sporadically, steer clear of serious sins, and believe we’re doing okay. However, God’s desire is for us not to judge ourselves by our own limited measures. Instead, He calls us to live according to HIS standards.
To grasp this message, consider Israel’s position. Moses is urgently instructing the next generation as they stand at the border of Canaan, preparing to cross the Jordan River.
The older generation—their fathers and mothers—tragically passed away in the wilderness due to unbelief, complaining, and rebellion. Now, this new generation is on the brink of entering the Promised Land. They must understand the key to survival and victory. They need to ask: “What does God expect from us in the Promised Land?”
God responds to them succinctly in two verses, encapsulating His complete expectations for humanity. This serves as God’s consistent “Job Description” for His children.
I. A REVERENCE OF FEAR
“…to fear the LORD thy God…” — Deuteronomy 10:12
The foundation of all true Christian living is a proper reverence for God. If you do not get this first point right, the rest of your Christian walk will collapse.
A. Fear DEFINED
This biblical fear is not terror. It does not mean running away from God in horror, or being afraid that He is waiting to strike you down with lightning. Instead, this fear means deep reverence, profound respect, and holy awe. It is recognizing exactly who God is: Holy, Almighty, and Sovereign. It is the sobering realization that He is the Creator, and we are merely the clay—recognizing He is God, and we are not.
Psalm 89:7 — “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints.”
Proverbs 1:7 reminds us: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” True knowledge does not start in a university; it starts on your knees before a Holy God.
B. Fear DEMONSTRATED
How do we show the world—and show God—that we truly fear Him?
- In our Worship: We do not come into the sanctuary casually, flippantly, or distracted by our phones. We come prepared, quiet, and reverent, recognizing we are meeting with the King of Kings.
Just like yesterday. We had a great service and made decisions regarding baptism and membership transfers. That didn’t happen because we had a perfect program. It happened because God’s presence was here. When we come with reverence and expectation, God moves. “Good enough” attendance doesn’t produce decisions. Reverent worship does.
- In our Walk: We become highly careful not to sin. We do not avoid sin just because we are afraid of getting caught; we avoid sin because we love Him and refuse to grieve His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
- In our Witness: We speak of God with deep honor. We do not use His name lightly or talk about Him as if He is just a casual friend or a ‘buddy in the sky.’ He is the Lord.
ILLUSTRATION:
My parents taught me to respect elders, emphasizing love and kindness. My mother explained that this respect stems from love, and even when they weren’t religious, I understood its importance. My main reason for avoiding trouble isn’t fear of punishment; rather, I deeply respect my parents’ integrity and dislike the idea of upsetting them. This reflects the kind of reverence God desires—not fear, but total surrender.
“Until you fear God, you will never walk with God.”
II. A ROAD TO FOLLOW
“…to walk in all his ways…” — Deuteronomy 10:12
Fear must always lead to footsteps. True reverence in the heart will automatically result in outward obedience in the life. God expects us to live in daily obedience.
A. The DIRECTION of the Path
The text emphasizes walking in “ALL his ways.” God doesn’t suggest a selective approach or an online menu to pick what to follow. This requires submitting every aspect of your life to Him: your home routines, work habits, school conduct, financial choices, hidden dealings, and thoughts. God desires full Lordship over 100%, not just 10%.
Psalm 119:1 declares: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.”
B. The DILIGENCE of the Path
The Bible specifically chooses the word “to walk,” emphasizing gentle, ongoing progress. It’s not a frantic sprint that leads to burnout, nor is it standing idle or succumbing to laziness. Instead, it denotes a steady, daily journey—neither rushing ahead of God nor falling behind. Each morning you must make deliberate steps guided by God’s Word in the right direction.
That’s why I’m so thankful we’ve started Bible studies in our members’ homes again. That’s walking in His ways during the week, not just on Sunday. The Promised Land is won Monday through Saturday, not just in church. A daily walk in God’s Word keeps us from the dead ends of pleasure, popularity, and profit.
- Micah 6:8 highlights this: “…and to walk humbly with thy God.”
- Our faith cannot be divided. We must walk in God’s ways consistently, not just on Sundays, but every single day. God requires us to maintain a steady, uniform walk in all aspects of life.
This age offers the world many flashing paths: the path of immediate pleasure, the path of popularity, and the path of corporate profit at all costs. But there’s only one road that leads to blessing — God’s road. God looks at you and says, “Leave those dead ends and walk in MY ways.” His ways are always higher, safer, and better than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9).
“God never tells us to walk where He has not walked first.”
III. A RELATIONSHIP IN FELLOWSHIP
“…and to love him…” — Deuteronomy 10:12
God desires our heart, not merely our actions. Duty devoid of devotion is meaningless ritual. He seeks your heart, not just a list of rules.
A. Fellowship is COMMANDED
Notice that God phrases this as a direct requirement. He commands it: “To love him.” This proves that biblical love is not just a passing feeling or an emotional spark. You cannot command a sudden feeling, but you can command a choice. Scriptural love is a deliberate decision of the will followed by a lifelong direction. It means choosing to value God above everything else.
Matthew 22:37 states: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
B. Fellowship is the CORE
Why do we fear Him? Why do we walk in His ways? Why do we bother to serve Him? The answering mechanism must always be: Because we LOVE Him. Obedience without love is nothing more than cold slavery. Service without love is completely empty noise. If you are serving in the church just to be seen by men, or out of a sense of raw guilt, you have missed the heart of God.
I saw this lived out last Monday at our bowling 🎳 fellowship. Members of all ages were there, laughing, encouraging one another, and enjoying each moment together. Nobody was paid to be there. Nobody had to come. But we came because we love each other and the Lord. That’s fellowship. That’s relationship. Church isn’t just a building we visit or a religious routine we perform; it is a spiritual family bound together by the love of Jesus Christ.
“Thanks to God for the sweet fellowship with the brethren
“God is more interested in your heart than in your hands.”
IV. A RESPONSIBILITY TO FULFILL
“…to serve the LORD thy God… to keep the commandments…” — Deuteronomy 10:12–13
Love must naturally lead to labor. True saving faith will always express itself in daily faithfulness.
A. The SERVICE Required
God explicitly demands that we serve Him “with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Romans 12:1 — “…present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
- With ALL your Heart: This represents your deep affection and passion. God rejects lukewarm, half-hearted service.
- With ALL your Soul: This represents your firm will and determination. It means serving God even when it is inconvenient, or when nobody notices your hard work.
Colossians 3:23 commands: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
B. The STATUTES Required
“…to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?”
We are commanded “to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes.” God’s Word serves as our complete blueprint for life. His boundaries are not meant to cage us in or limit our happiness. Notice the crucial phrase at the very end of verse 13: “for thy good.” Every boundary God sets is engineered for our personal protection and long-term blessing.
We are currently fulfilling this responsibility. We thank God for the successful interview with FBMI last Thursday, which strengthened our partnership, especially in missions. We also thank God that Missionary Ian, after three years in the field, was able to visit supporting churches and fellowship with us in Singapore. This exemplifies obeying God’s command to “go and make disciples.” Such responsibility aligns with God’s purpose. His requirements are designed not to restrict us but to rescue the lost and bless the nations.
“God’s requirements are God’s protections.”
CONCLUSION:
As we face the choices this week, keep in mind God’s Job Description is clear: A REVERENCE OF FEAR – Respect Him, A ROAD TO FOLLOW – Walk with Him, A RELATIONSHIP IN FELLOWSHIP – Love Him, A RESPONSIBILITY TO FULFILL – Serve Him.
God is not demanding immediate perfection; He is inspecting your direction. Are you content with living a life that is merely “good enough” by the world’s changing standards, or will you choose to live up to HIS code?
Joshua 24:15 stands before us: “…choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
“Lord God Almighty, help me to deeply reverence You, to walk step-by-step with You, to love You with my entire being, and to serve You with all my heart and soul. Forgive me for the times I have settled for a life that is just ‘good enough’ by the world’s standards. Help me to live up to Your holy code starting today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Amen! God is not asking us to be perfect overnight, but He expects us to walk in the right direction. His expectations are not burdensome; they are for our good!