The Blueprint

And so oftentimes, when you have a plan, success is much more likely. It works for those who might be seamstresses. Anyone like to sew? I don't hand my hand up because I like to sew, but there are those of you who like to sew. So maybe sew your own clothes. Put together those types of things. Now, normally, you don't just freehand a new dress, do you? No, it doesn't usually work that way. What do you normally have to do if you're going to create a new piece of clothing? You've got to have a pattern. You've got to have a pattern. And so you might go down to what's a nice store that you would go to to buy a pattern. Maybe Walmart might have one. Or, okay, you know the places. Okay, great. Well, you have to go down and you have to buy a pattern. And a good seamstress works with that pattern in order to produce the article of clothing in exactly the right way. So it's going to work. It's going to fit. You'll have all the various parts that you need. So nothing's left out. And of course, that's true in building. If you're going to build something, you need an architectural plan. In the old days, they'd say, you need a blueprint. You've got to follow the blueprint or that architectural plan so that nothing's left out. It's going to be built just the way it should be. It'll be just right in the right aspects. It's not going to leave out the plumbing or the electrical. It's all going to be right there as necessary. And it's true if you're into electronics. If you build apps, you have to build, in fact, they call it building by the blueprint because there are various components that have to be included in order to make that app work. And the blueprints for an app, not literally a blueprint, but the components that are involved have to be all mapped out in order for that app to function properly in the way that it's supposed to. And so all of those things point to the fact that you need some kind of a guide. You need some kind of direction. For our children to grow up in God's way, they need direction. They need guidance. They need instructions. Or else, they're going to grow up in the dark. They're going to grow up not understanding God's way. Like the app that doesn't have all the right components, it's not going to function properly. Like the building that isn't built to code, that isn't built according to the architectural plan, it's going to be missing things. Just like the seamstress that leaves out one of the panels that it's not going to work. The clothing isn't going to fit. It's not going to be right. And whether we talk about the physical realm, like the carpenter or the seamstress or the app or whatever it might be, it's also true in the spiritual realm. God mapped it out and showed the best pattern to build by, spiritually speaking. We know there's so many passages throughout the Bible that talk about the fact that if man directs his own steps, it's not going to end up in the right place. Man doesn't know the way to direct his own steps. The Proverbs tell us that. Jeremiah tells us the same thing. There's a way that does seem right. But if you don't build by the godly pattern, the end is going to leave out the most important things. That end is death, is what Proverbs 16 talks about. So God maps out a specific pattern for us so that the end is right, so that the conclusion is good. So ultimately, we can be where God wants us to be. And throughout the Bible, He's given us that spiritual architectural plan. He's given us, old school, the blueprint, how to build according to God's pattern, according to His blueprint. God's blueprint for living.

And so on this Recognition Day, I think it's a good thing to step back and consider how we build, spiritually speaking. How do we help build our children in the way that they should go? How should we form our own lives? How should we pattern our lives in order to be sure that we're building according to God's spiritual blueprint? He's given a pattern over and over again throughout the Bible. Even when you go back to the Old Testament, there's an interesting example that points to God's architectural spiritual pattern for growth. He maps that out over in Exodus 25. If you'd like to turn there with me. Exodus 25 is where God gives Moses directions on how to build the tabernacle. So the tent of meeting, God gives Moses instructions where God's ark will be placed, where His presence will be. And in Exodus 25, He tells Moses how to build that tabernacle. And He gives Him the guidelines in order to do that. So if you look over at Exodus chapter 25, notice what God tells Moses. Down in verse 8, He says, "...let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." Of course, that sanctuary being the tent, the tabernacle. So, "...let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it." So He outlines throughout the rest of the chapter how this tent is to be made, how the ark is to be made, how the table for showbread is to be made. He details the lampstand. He draws out all the plans. In fact, if you skip down further in the chapter down to verse 40, very end of the chapter, He tells them after what's to be made with silver and gold and all according to what God says. He tells them this in verse 40, "...see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain." And depending on what translation you look this up in, according to the pattern, according to the plan, according to my design is what God says. Make that tabernacle, make that ark, make that lampstand. If it's going to be right, if it's going to be good, if it's going to be used to honor God, it must be made according to His design, according to His pattern. This word for pattern here is like a model. This is the way to do it. This is the way to build these various items in this pattern by this style. And so He maps it out very clearly. Now you may think, well, okay, that's a physical example. And yet, is there more to it than just His instructions for the tabernacle?

Does that mean anything for us today? I think it does. In fact, if we fast forward a little bit, if you go over to 1 Chronicles 28, we'll fast forward through the wilderness. We know Israel left Egypt. They soldiered 40 years. They built that tabernacle. God's presence was there. When they came into the Promised Land, it was time not to have a temporary tent anymore, but the time came to have a house, to have a temple. And so God commissioned Solomon to build that temple. David put together a lot of the items that would have been necessary to build it. Then Solomon was the one who brought it about. So by the time we get to 1 Chronicles 28, something interesting is happening at the end of David's life. Notice what it says in 1 Chronicles 28, verse 11. It says, David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat. So here we have a building, not a tent being built, but a building being constructed. And it wasn't something that was done haphazardly. It wasn't something that was, well, maybe it would be nice to have, you know, a place for the ark to be. It was thought out. It was structured. There was a design. There was a specific blueprint, an architectural design, that was God-given. And so when we look at verse 12, it says, the plans for all that He had by the Spirit of the courts of the house of the Lord, of all the chambers around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things. So David, who had been given these things by God, passed them on to Solomon, and it was designed that way. In fact, not only the building itself, but as you read through this chapter, we've got the divisions for the priesthood, how the organization would be. God mapped all of that out as well. You read down this chapter, and you see how the gold is supposed to be used, how the silver would be used, how the different articles for the worship of God, all the accoutrements for every kind of service, how it would be organized, how it would be built, how it would be structured. God gave all of these things. And in fact, if we look down to verse 19, notice what it says. It says, all this, said David.

It didn't come from me, didn't come from David. It wasn't Solomon's idea. It says, the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me all the works of these plans.

So God didn't just say, well, build me a house and go at it. Right? If you've ever seen a structure like that, where someone just starts building without an idea where they're going, it's pretty rough. Pretty rough. And so God mapped that out. And I believe He did this, not just for the purposes of that day, but there's some significant spiritual truth that we can find within these examples that point to today. Because when you think about a house for God, you think about where God dwells today. He dwells in His temple today, doesn't He?

But it's not a tent. It's not a building. For us, it's something so much more. And these examples point to that design that God has mapped out, not just for a physical building, but for something spiritual. Now, if you turn over to 1 Corinthians 3, verse 9, let's take a look at this blueprint for today. The design that God ultimately, you could say that maybe the most significant aspect of what was going on here, pointed to a greater spiritual truth. 1 Corinthians 3 details the aspects of God's purposes when it comes to that guiding pattern that He set out. So over in 1 Corinthians 3, let's begin down in verse 9. Let's look at verse 9, 1 Corinthians 3. It says, We are God's fellow workers. You are God's field. You are God's building. So He gives three different examples. We'll let the first two kind of go by the wayside for the moment and focus in on the third example that Paul uses here. He says, You are God's building. Well, are we just some haphazard design that is just thrown together? We stick a board up over here. We pound a nail in there and we try to come up with something all on our own? Or has God given us a blueprint? Has God given us a design to order our lives so that ultimately we'll be the kind of spiritual structure that brings honor to our Creator? And of course, I think we know the answer, that God's given us that spiritual design. He used that temple as an example. He used the tabernacle and its design as an example that points to a greater truth, a spiritual truth. So when we look at verse 10, verse 10 here, it says, According to the grace of God, which was given to me as a wise master builder, Paul says, I've laid the foundation and another builds on it, but let each one take heed how he builds on it. And he points to the only foundation that we can have. Verse 11, There is no foundation that anyone can lay other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the foundation. He is that foundation to a spiritual structure, to a life that is oriented to spiritual truth. So he says, if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, those beautiful items, of course, he also says wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear. So you can build that structure in any way you want. You get to choose. You get to choose. What will you build with? What will be the items that will build your spiritual structure? He said, Ultimately, it will be revealed by fire. Will it stand ultimately the test of time? He says, Verse 14, if anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he'll receive a reward.

If anyone's work is burned, he'll suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

And so ultimately, he points to that spiritual truth. He says, Don't you know you're the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you. Kind of hearkening back to that tabernacle, to that temple that was built. Those were physical things. Now he's pointing to the spiritual structure that we're building. He says, You are the temple of God. God's Spirit dwells in you like God dwelt in that tabernacle, like he dwelt in the temple. But today, it's different. He says, If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. And so he points to this truth that individually and collectively as the church, if this structure spiritually is to survive, it has to be built by the pattern. It has to follow the blueprint. It has to follow God's spiritual architectural design, or it'll be burnt up. It won't survive. And so we must build by the pattern. We must follow God's direction. In fact, if you follow me over a couple of pages to the book of Hebrews, here Paul harkens back to that example of Moses.

In Hebrews 8, he draws these concepts together, showing the significance of that physical example pointing to a greater spiritual truth. In fact, throughout the book of Hebrews, we see that pattern between the connection between the physical that points to the ultimate spiritual connection. So in Hebrews 8, he does that once again. Down in verse 3, he says, Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary that this one also have something to offer, not just a physical priest to offer sacrifices. Here this points to the greater spiritual truth that we have a spiritual high priest in Jesus Christ. Verse 4, he says, As Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, See that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.

And so there is significance in what Moses did connected to the ultimate reality. He says, But now, verse 6, he has obtained a more excellent ministry. So we have the spiritual significance is found in Jesus Christ. He is also a mediator of a better covenant, by which was established on better promises. And so we have a spiritual structure that needs to be built. Our lives must be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. When it came right down to it, what Paul points out here, Moses couldn't change the instructions that God gave him. God said, Build it according to the pattern. Solomon couldn't change the instructions that God had given David. This is the only pattern that's acceptable. Fast forward to today. There's only one pattern that's acceptable. There's only one spiritual blueprint that we can build by that will stand the test of fire. It's only one way. We can't alter it. We can't change it. It's a God-ordained pattern. And so we must build by that design. Otherwise, it's just going to be hay and stubble and straw, and it'll be burnt up. It won't last. And we all want that kind of structure. That's the kind of structure that we all want. As we see our little ones come up, we want the best for them. We pray for God's protection and guidance on them. And as parents, we want the best for them. But what kind of pattern are we building our lives on to help guide them?

See, that's the challenge that's presented to us. Are we building by the pattern that God has established? I think there is a little bit of guidance that's given that's more specific, rather than just going through this and recognizing, I think this is true. I don't think there's any way around this. We know it to be true. I think we understand this is the pattern. God set it out. Now the question then is, how does that look in my life? What does that look like if I have to apply that to my life? I've got to build that way. I want to be spiritual. I want to follow His lead. Well, in our families, what does that look like? I think He gives us an indication of that in the Psalms. If you look at Psalm 127, I think He specifically gives us some of the building materials in a spiritual sense that we need to build that spiritual structure by. I think He maps out some spiritual nails, some spiritual two-by-fours that we must build that spiritual structure by within our families. And if we don't build by this pattern, we won't have a spiritual structure in our own lives, in our own families, in order to survive that test of fire.

So let's take a look at Psalm 127 as we consider the spiritual design that God's given us. Psalm 127. It's a familiar one, one that we recognize as truth because it points out the simple facts that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain. We sing this song, don't we? Unless the Lord shall build a house, the weary builder toils in vain. It's uselessness. God's got to call us. We've got to respond to that calling. Unless we build by the materials that are the spiritual ones that God wants for us, it's going to be useless. If we go by our own designs, we map out our own path, it's going to end up in a place that's not ultimately the godly destination. So we're told very clearly, unless God builds the house, it's useless. He says, unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. So you can look at prophecy all you want. You can watch the news. You can sort out everything that's going on to fulfill prophecy. But unless God has built your spiritual house, unless you've relied on Him for your spiritual structure, I don't care what you know about prophecy. I don't care what you know about modern events and how it fulfills these various things. You're staying awake in vain if your spiritual structure isn't in place.

He's telling us very clearly that's uselessness. So he says, we've got to build that spiritual structure according to what God's designing. And I think when we follow that guide here, he tells us God's blessings. In fact, he ties in children here in a moment. If you look down to verse 3, "'Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward, like the arrows in the hand of a warrior. So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has a quiver full of them. They're not to be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.'" So we have this connection between God building that house in our lives, submitting our lives to Him, and blessings in the family.

It's interesting that this quiver full is tied in with the watchman, not just watching events, but watching how he builds, how we build our lives in our families. God's blessing in the family is directly tied to God building that spiritual structure, from us submitting to Him, using His materials so that our homes and our lives are built on God's prerogatives, on His design.

In fact, He continues with that thought in Psalm 128. If we look at Psalm 128, I think we find some specific instructions on the building materials that we need to use within our families, within our own lives individually as well. So he starts out in Psalm 128. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. In fact, let's just read through this. When you eat the labor of your hands, you'll be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house. Your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed, who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion. And may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel. I think what we begin to find here is initially God's blessing is directly tied to the fear of the Lord.

God's blessing is directly tied to the fear of the Lord, especially as we look here.

It's an instruction for men, isn't it?

Behold, the man will be blessed, who fears the Lord. Verse 4. Talk about a specific building material that God requires for all of us. Not just the men, but the men in the family, especially. He says, men lead your family in fearing God.

That's a building material you're not going to build a spiritual structure without.

If we don't have the right fear of God, we won't build a godly family. A godly family can't be built unless we have the fear of the Lord, unless we revere Him, unless we respect Him. That's not the shaking in your boots kind of fear, but that's an honoring kind of fear, a fear that brings awe and respect to God. It's a fear that worships God within the family structure. And so God gives directives here to the man as husbands. He says, if you're going to build a spiritual family, husbands, you're in charge of your family. That's the God-ordained structure of the family. We could go to the book of Ephesians and we see that's mapped out in the New Testament very clearly, that men are the spiritual leaders of their home. God's given us that responsibility. And so we must lead. How do you lead your family spiritually? How do you build a spiritual structure? Well, He says, man, you have that responsibility to lead in the awe of God, in the respect of God, in the honor and reverence of God. He says the spiritual structure can't be built without it. And that's good news. That's a good thing. Of course, it can be a difficult thing too, because we see all those beautiful kids come up on stage today and it's a wonderful thing.

The good news is it's easy to lead. Do you believe that? Do you believe that it's easy to lead?

It is. It's simple. The question is, how do we lead? It's easy to be a leader because kids are going to follow your example, whether it's good or bad. It's easy to lead. But how are you going to lead? That's where it's the bad news. We can't escape being examples to our family. We can't escape that, whether the example is going to be a godly spiritual example or whether it's going to be a difficult example. And so as men, as husbands, as fathers, as grandfathers, we must lead by a godly example. Do we live the truth? Do we speak the truth in love? Do we exhibit the attitudes that show the proper revere and respect for God?

You know, our kids are going to see our example. Do they see that example that the fruit of God's spirit is evident in our lives, especially when things are tough, especially when things are under pressure, when things are difficult, when it's not going our way? Our example is going to shine forth. And so our children, even our greater spiritual family in the church, will see our example and learn about everyday living, everyday circumstances. They'll learn from watching their dads. They'll learn that. Now that doesn't leave moms off the hook or grandmas or grandpas.

But I think what Psalm 128 is pointing out here is that dads must have an attitude of respect and reverence toward God that translates into their everyday life. It's not just, well, I revere and honor God on the Sabbath, but that's going to translate into action and obedience every single day. I think that's the blueprint that God's given here. And if we fear Him, if we revere Him, we've got to know Him. We've got to know God. We've got to know what it means to respect and honor Him in our lives. And God is awesome. God is an amazing thing. And maybe to think about it in men's terms, maybe if you're like me, it is really cool to work with tools that can do big things. Anybody like that kind of thing? I love my chainsaw. It is an awesome tool. You ever get out a chainsaw? It is a cool thing to get out a chainsaw and cut down a tree. When that tree falls, it's kind of scary. That thing hits the ground. That is a scary thing. A chainsaw is a scary thing. I'm afraid of my chainsaw because I'm always worried it's going to kick back and take off my arm. It's a scary tool. But if I'm going to chop down a tree, I kind of have that tool working.

But if you don't have a healthy fear of that chainsaw, it's going to kick back. It's going to cut your leg and you're going to die. Or you're going to use that thing and that tree is going to fall on you. Or you're going to be up in that tree and there's going to be some difficulty. You've got to have a healthy fear. Now that fear that I have for my chainsaw doesn't keep me from using it. Because if I'm going to get any work done, I've got to use that. I'm going to get rid of those branches in that tree limb. I've got to use it.

But if I don't have the healthy fear of that saw, I'm going to misuse it. I'm going to misuse it. And so it causes me to treat that chainsaw with a lot of respect because it can be a scary thing.

And maybe that's, I hope, kind of a manly example of what godly fear is all about.

Godly fear is having that proper awe and respect for God because we understand His greatness. We understand His power. We understand His absolute holiness.

We're not shaking in our boots in fear of God, but we love Him and honor Him because of His greatness, because of His power, because of His authority. But we don't take it for granted because what happens if we begin to do that? I'm always amazed by those examples in the Bible that even when a great faithful man of the Bible comes in contact with God, what happens?

What happens? Even when a righteous man gets even a glimpse of God? I mean, they're brought down to their knees, oftentimes stricken with awe, fear.

I think that sets an amazing example for us because none of us could draw near to a holy god if he hadn't revealed himself to us. And he has done that. And he's revealed himself to us as a powerful, holy, awesome God who loves us, who cares for us. And because of that, we can draw near to Him and utilize that spirit that He's given to us. But it's a reminder that we must always do that in reverence and awe of Him. And so we understand as men of God, we understand His very nature. We understand what it means to hold God in deep respect.

Because then that respect and that awe brings us to obey Him. Right? That love and that awe and that respect, we revere Him so much that we obey. We do His way because the man of God, the one who fears, as it says here, in fact, look back there. Verse 1, Psalm 128, everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. Because of our deep respect for God, it brings us to live our lives by His pattern, to order our lives according to His blueprint. In fact, Proverbs even says to fear the Lord is to hate evil. And so it takes it to the next level that we have that kind of God, that we love Him so much, we hate evil.

We're not going to let that be a part of our lives. And when it sneaks in, we're going to kick it out and repent and change because we have a God that is to be awed. And so we live our lives and order our lives in that way. And if we're growing in grace and knowledge, we're growing in the fear of the Lord. Because as we grow in fear, I believe in the awe and respect and reverence area, we're going to honor and respect Him so that we're growing in holiness.

We're growing in character. We're fleeing the evil and we're striving after His way. So to grow in fear, I think, points us in that direction. Fearing God like that chainsaw is going to help us to respect it so that we don't want to cross it. Because we know when we misuse it or we ignore it or haphazard with it, it's going to be a major problem.

And so fearing God is going to cause us and help us to walk in all of His ways that are revealed in His Word. And so that looks, I think, a special way within our homes, within our life. A man who fears God, not going to be flippant with God, not going to be all casual like it doesn't matter how I order my life, how I build my life. It's going to be on our minds. We're going to take the initiative as men of God to lead our families, not leave that to whatever comes.

It's not just something that's for our wife to do. As godly men, that's our job. We take the initiative in studying the Word of God. We take the initiative in leading our families in prayer. We take the initiative in committing our lives to following Him. That's what the awe and respect of God is all about.

In fact, He says that fear of God and that love and that respect also impacts the kind of people that we are, how we work. Isn't that what that says there? Verse 2, when you eat of the labor of your hands, the fear of God is reflected in how we work, that we labor. A man who fears God's a hard worker. That's what it says. Whether it's on the job, whether it's at home, it's a hard worker.

And so we're not the ones that spend endless hours in front of TV or the web or video games or whatever it is. We communicate that love and that awe and that respect to our families. And we're productive in the time that we have.

Pretty specific examples that were given here. And so a man of God will use his time productively. In fact, He even says, as a result of that awe and that respect, I mean, it's such a simple thing, but look at the results.

Do we read over that sometimes? Blessed is everyone, the man who fears the Lord, walks in his way. He's productive. He works hard. The result, you shall be happy. There are blessings that result from that. God promises those things. It is well with Him. He's cheerful. He's pleasant because those are the attributes that are shining forth as the characteristics of God, because we've submitted to Him and because we honor Him, because we fear Him, those traits are growing in our lives. And that happiness doesn't come from circumstances. It comes from a deep-seated joy that is based in the reverence of God.

So this godly man, this one who fears the Lord, centers himself on that architectural, spiritual design and will help build that spiritual family. Now, of course, it doesn't stop there because it also talks about the godly woman.

We see that in verse 3, your wife. And I think this can apply as individuals to men and to women as well. But here it focuses on, your wife shall be a fruitful vine. You see, a godly woman is also one who awws and respects God, and the results are a faithful and fruitful woman.

And so as we look at this, it says she's a fruitful vine in the heart of your home, the heart of your house. And if you think about that a minute, it might sound like this kind of a weird connection there. A woman is like a grapevine. She's a fruitful vine. What's the connection there? Well, what is a vine supposed to do?

You know, if you go to California and you see the vineyards there, they're not just there for looks, are they? They're producing grapes. And it's supposed to be something that is bearing fruit. Yeah, I think it points to childbearing in the family. Certainly, that's part of it. But I think as a greater application, it's also talking about productivity, right? That a vine is nice, but if it's supposed to produce something, you want the fruit. You want the results of that. If you plant an apple tree, you probably want apples, right? You don't want it just to look pretty. You want those flowers to turn into apples so that you can enjoy that fruit at the end of the growing season. And so here we see women are connected to producing something that's good.

Well, there's nothing like it on a hot day. You bring out those cool grapes and you eat them. They're refreshing. And so here we see that connection here that a godly wife is producing something that's refreshing and nourishing to others. And that godly woman is going to be productive, like her productive husband. And she's going to work to provide something that's satisfying and nourishing in the home. And we'll be able to produce a wonderful blessing for her family. And so that fruit of the vine is connected with joy and with gladness. You can look up all kinds of scriptures throughout the Bible that point to those very things. And so this godly woman is a joy right down to the very heart of the home. And of course, that's pointing to the results of submitting ourselves to God and His Spirit so that that godly character can be built within us. So we can build according to that spiritual pattern. And it's interesting how it's tied to the structure of the family as well. And so there is guidance that God gives for women as well right here in Psalm 128. In fact, He doesn't leave out the children here. If we look a little bit farther down to verse 3, toward the end of verse 3, it says, your children like olive plants all around your table. So here we see all kinds of goodies. We see the vine compared to the woman. And now we've got kids as an olive plant. Why the connection between children and olive plants?

Well, these olive plants, they're not mature trees. They're little ones that are growing up. They're little ones that aren't mature yet. I like these little ones that came up on stage this afternoon. These are the little ones that someday they're going to grow up. Someday they're going to take the place of the parents. One day they're going to continue to bear fruit after that vine isn't around anymore. Those olive plants are going to grow up. And so we see that picture here that these children, they're not there yet. They're growing. They're developing. They're not perfect. They're not perfect. They have the potential for great spiritual fruitfulness.

But they're not there yet. They still have growing to do. And that growth is going to take time to develop. It's going to take care from the parents to help them to develop, to help them to mature, to have the kind of nourishing soil that they're going to need to develop and grow in a God-fearing home. And that can help frame their lives. And it points to the fact that as an olive plant, it's going to take nurturing. It's going to take that care. It's going to take patience because we know that tree doesn't suddenly sprout overnight. And there's all these beautiful olives that are suddenly there. No, it's not going to happen overnight. It's going to take a lot of tender, loving care. It's going to take the kind of care and protection that a spiritual home can offer if it's to be ultimately a spiritual plant. And so before there's fruit, it's going to take feeding and watering and nurturing. And ultimately, we see that picture of children being nurtured to fruitfulness. And so as we look at this, God maps out in these two short little Psalms a pattern, a spiritual pattern, a blueprint, you might say, for our families, for us as individuals as well, to be based around His design. And so we see it begins with a God-fearing man, and it extends out. In fact, if you like to play at the pond, go down to the pond, you know, this time of the year, and you throw a stone in, what is it like? You see that stone hit the water, and it ripples out, doesn't it? It ripples out. And if you think of our family structure, when we base it on God's design, and we have a God-fearing husband at the center of that family, fulfilling his God-given roles, that ripple extends out to a fruitful, faithful woman. And those ripples continue to extend and further grow to eventually fruitful children as well.

And as God points out here, the end result is blessings. In fact, the end result, He says here, is you've got an old man who's enjoying his grandchildren. And not just any grandchildren, but children that are growing up in the faith. Now, of course, children are going to grow up and have their own choices. It's not an automatic thing. Everyone has their own choice. But that's the pattern that God's designed. That's what His pattern is purposed for, to have, ultimately, grandchildren that are growing up in His way as well. What a wonderful blessing that is. When we begin to pattern our lives, ultimately, after His design, what He has intended for us.

In fact, that ultimate design then ties into the very core of who we are.

Paul puts it a little differently than these Psalms. If you turn over to Titus, Titus 2, we notice, ultimately, the pattern kind of summarized in a little bit different way, but certainly speaking to the same thing. In Titus 2, right at the very beginning of this chapter, the Apostle Paul, I think, maybe had this concept in mind on how we structure our lives and how we base our lives on that godly awe and respect that God is due. And he tells Titus, he instructs him, he says, as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. So when we have sound teachings, we have the right core, we see that leads to certain things because who cares about sound doctrine if we don't have the love and respect and honor for God? That's not going to matter. So at the heart and core of that reverence for God, it results in our obedience to His way, to His instructions, to His doctrine. So our response to that then, verse 2, is that older men are sober. They're reverent. They're temperate. They're sound in faith, in love, in patience. Verse 3, the older women likewise, they're reverent in behavior. They're not slanderers. They're not given to much wine. They're teachers of good things. They admonish the young women. See, we all have instructions here. Love your husbands. Love your children. Be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, to the word of God. That the word of God may not be blasphemed. And likewise, young men, be sober-minded. Yeah, there's a time to be serious. He says, in all things, showing yourself to be a pattern of good works. Kind of a summary statement for all of us. Build on that blueprint. Follow that spiritual architectural design. Show yourself to be a pattern of good works. Not just that we know the truth, but that we live the truth. It's not just what we do. It is who we are. So show yourselves to be a pattern of good works. In doctrine, showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that the one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Because ultimately, they can't. Because we built ourselves on that very pattern that God designed. And we know ultimately, it will bring blessings, especially when we fast forward to the very end of the return of Christ. And so that pattern, ultimately, is the pattern of Jesus Christ. We're putting on His mind, His attitude, His approach. And so that brings about all of these kinds of things. In fact, if we turn back just a couple of pages, He told a very similar thing to Timothy. Both young ministers, He guides them, teaching them how this concept of the spiritual blueprint applies. Look at 2 Timothy, right at the very beginning of the letter, 2 Timothy 1, verse 13.

2 Timothy 1, verse 13, He says, "...hold fast the pattern of sound words which you've heard from me, in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus." And so when we are built on Jesus Christ, when we are built on the right foundation, the structure that is built can't help but be a spiritual one, can't help but be built by that spiritual architectural design, which are based on Jesus Christ. We put into practice His guidance and His direction, the words that we've heard from Him. And so we build on that foundation. In fact, He says, verse 14, "...that good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us." So we submit to that spirit, and we build by that spirit. And so whether we look at the Psalms, whether we look at the Proverbs, where we would look here with the instructions to Titus and Timothy, God is consistent, whether to Moses or whether to Solomon. God says, I've given you the pattern. I've given you the spiritual blueprint. Build by my specifications, God tells us. And so let's dedicate our lives to put that into practice, to be the kind of people that awe and respect God in such a way that brings us to submit every aspect of our lives to Him, so that like a Moses, like a Solomon, we will be built according to the pattern, and it will have a foundation, not just of fear, but one that motivates us to love and honor God. And when we get off, when we get a lousy 2x4 that's bent out of shape, we're going to get rid of it, and we're going to repent, and we're going to condemn any changes or alterations to that plan that aren't according to His will. And we're going to dedicate our lives to passionately build according to His design. And the great thing is, when we do that very thing, we can't help but be what Psalm 127 says, we'll be that house that's built by the Lord.