Interestingly, fathers who did not do these three things had an inconsistent pattern of influence over their sons religious responses. BEING A GOOD FATHER A Father's Day Sermon Vince Miller, Speaker, Author, & Mentor to Men www.beresolute.org INTRODUCTION: There is no script or instruction manual, for being a good father. This is an important insight because it is very easy to become me-oriented when we pray. 1 Thessalonians 2:4-13 So dont be afraid to talk to God. Baptist, I know you have heard the expression, He sure was a good man. Maybe you remember the phrase, The one thing I remember about my father is, that he was a good man. A Very Kind and Good Man. 1. Dr. Hill would preach for a while and then he would say, God is. Hed preach a while longer and then hed say (or whisper or shout) God is. Hes right, of course. And we must be careful not to simplify the depth of the Good Friday mystery. A good father is an example of what means to be a man of faith. And when youre ready, hell be ready. Isaiah 64:8, Denomination: You are on earth and are therefore limited to this little ball of dirt floating around the sun in a little corner of a big galaxy called the Milky Way. Whatever he wants, he buys with his fathers money. But when you pray Our Father, you are confessing that your problems are not the only problems in the world. Assembly Of God. He has no idea what awaits him. All that a good father is to his children God will be to his children when they approach him in prayer. Kids and young adults, brothers and young men, likewise, you shouldnt disrespect each other, or your parents, or other adults. With his head down, he walked along that dirt road, embarrassed and humiliated. I told my Wednesday Night class that I have been preaching in Whitehouse for 5 years, and this is the 1st Fathers Day sermon that I have preached. Baptist. In heaven = I do not struggle alone. He welcomes us back from the far country. This is very important. Thats not what it means. - Colossians 3:21 (NIV) What a father knows about sex might help his children as much as surprise them (Prov 23:26-8). The Price Of A Good Father But did you know, you can read every verse in the bible, but you will not come across a single verse in which Jesus comes even close to saying, Come admire me, or unless you admire me, you cannot be my disciple.. His father sees him first. Denomination: (view more) It occurred to me recently that I had forgotten how my fathers voice sounded. Wives need to hear this. My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. Scriptures: He is identified as "Jesus, Son of the Most High God" ( Mark 5:7 ). Third, we pray to our Father who is in heaven. d. To begin with the word our means that you are in a fellowship and a community of Gods children around the world. C. Malachi 4:5-6 5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse., 1. Scriptures: A. Being a father is one of the great joys in life. The whole episode happened so naturally that it didnt register in my memory. 1) We recall one instance in which Lot and his family were taken captive by a conquering king. We must not use the fact of Gods love as an excuse to reject his right to rule over us. First, it refers to source or paternity or origin. When the home is right the nation will be right. Max Lucado The Father Heart of GodWhat it means that God has a long fuse, a short memory, thick skin, and a big heart. F. The greatest need in the world is for holy men who will not be bought or sold, who recognize sin for what it is and refuse to be entangled by its tentacles: men who will stand for the right when others do not. Being a good father is more than just bringing home a paycheck and meeting the physical needs of your children. I know it is popular today to say Were all Gods children with a kind of glibness that blurs the distinctions between those who know Jesus Christ and those who dont. Gods image is always worthy of respect. The voice from the burning bush told Moses to tell the people that I AM has sent you (Exodus 3:14). The key phrase is: If God is God, this must be true. A few months later that same couple came to see me with the news that through a very unusual set of circumstances (it always seems to happen this way), God opened the door for them to go to Russia to work in a theological school not far from the Black Sea. read more. As in thy lovingkindness is better than life. Today has been set aside to honor fathers. 1. 1 Corinthians 13 Lord God, you have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light and by grace you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. God as A Father "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be call the children of God! Genesis 2:21-22 and Matthew 1:19-21 To start saving items to a SermonFolder, please create an account. 2) Abraham took his servants with him to bring Lot and his family back (Genesis 14). Sometimes we have to as God says be the sheep. A young couple came to see me with the good news that they plan to be missionaries. [ xaoG\&cynS`i8DT"RD!3Q}/X C6tr>T*[W[`y>pJN^3TMr8g@XMJLpy>*J.-=(! Hes trying to get kids, grown kids, forty-year-old kids, who have nothing but horrible memories, on their face, full of hope, that the one in heaven is ten thousand times better. In heaven means that you dont have a problem that he cant handle. What is God really like? Key Verse and Theme: If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13) A good father takes good care of you. If it were difficult, most of us would forget it or mess it up somehow. Im going to invite you to listen. And that family of brothers and sisters is even more decisive than a biological family. He might not have got everything right. Scripture: KeT=@z )g #KV5U/y$V]rlav&(}b) #dj+Cr698xUwCnc`plc/yOQ 3) He probably spent a lot of time tending to his livestock and to business matters. How would you have responded in that situation? For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. There can (and is) be JOY in repentance! The only further explanation is I AM who I AM, which points to Gods eternal self-existence. When we said, Leave us alone, we dont want you around anymore, he said, Im going to stay around anyway. And when we ran, he followed. And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: F. Ken Hemphill tells the story of what took place at his church when he was pastor of FBC of Norfolk. Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."- 1 John 3:1 A small boy said, "Father's Day is just like Mother's Day, only you don't spend as much on the gift. The most Matthew 3:13-17 Thats when his life began to change. And he exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As I look back on that definition, I like the first two words: God is. Everything after that, while very true, sounds like a recitation from a theology lecture. Its not enough just be a good father by the worlds standards; fathers need to be the spiritual leaders in their homes. Even in the midst of running the entire universe, keeping the stars in their courses, and making sure the planets dont run into each other, and while he oversees six billion people with all their troubles, cares, worries, fears, problems, and difficulties, our God still has time for us. Bible Principle: "You fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted.". The gifts we receive from our Heavenly Father are similar to the gifts we receive from our earthly father. 1) Some allow their children to do anything they want anytime they want. Abraham was a father who protected his family. Most men are thrust into the task of fatherhood that will change how we view our earthly father, Heavenly Father, and even ourselves forever. However, are there really enough fathers in the picture and is just being admired whats really needed. How To Be A Good Father? He was out on the sidewalk welcoming people as they got out of their cars. We make bold to pray the Lords Prayer because Jesus commanded us to do so and with his own blood he opened the way into your presence. He who had eaten prime rib just a few weeks earlier now dines with the pigs. AMEN. The word Jesus used means he smothered him with kisses. The feast, the sign of a joyful welcome. The responsibility of fathers. As I write those words, my mind drifts to my own father who died 35 years ago. All around the world there are men that hold the title of father and are admired for what they do. And they cant start raising support until they at least know what country they are going to. Matthew 1:20-2:22. Why did the children of the patriarchs follow the God of their fathers? When a son leaves home in such anger, theres no way to keep it hidden. Some people think the most important question of life is Do you believe in God? But a more important question is What kind of God do you believe in?, Luke 15 has been called the lost and found department of the Bible. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. As a result, we are left with a deep Father hunger that wont go away. Youve never even imagined anything that could make God stop loving you. A Combined Effort All Noah's family worked together. Some people become so desperate that they turn to alcohol and drugs to fill the aching void within. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. After all that, could anyone blame the father if he refused to take his son back? Its not enough to just be a good father according to the worlds standards; fathers need to be the spiritual leaders in their homes. Im going to talk about fathers. For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the, by doing righteousness and justice, so that the, may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.. What made him want to leave home? read more, Scripture: And that galaxy is just one of millions of galaxies in a universe so huge that we cannot accurately measure it. Fathers answer their children. % 4) He maintained this wealth throughout his life through hard work and good business practices. Your Father is waiting to hear from you. Now, we might kinda focus on the admired quality, but we shouldnt get the meaning twisted, and think that we always have to be admired. At the top write Ask, Seek, Knock Matthew 7:7-11. Use this as a simple reminder to bring all your requests before your Heavenly Father. rv# DJOn\Cv3ya; THE Blessings of THE FATHER extend to HIS Children. Many scriptures identify Jesus as the Son of God the Father: "The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You'" ( Psalm 2:7 ). Colossians 3:21. The Bible not only often draws attention to the similarity between human fatherhood and divine fatherhood; the Bible also often draws attention to the vast differences between human fatherhood and divine fatherhood. When we sing the Doxology, we begin with the words Praise God from whom all blessings flow. After months of prayer they had no idea where they would like to go. You are admitting that you are not the only one in the world who has a concern to bring to God. Back from the dead! When asked what is a good father? God wants to help you be a dad who makes a difference. your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. God is in the seat of all authority and all power. People all around the world admire Jesus. Date written: June 16th, 2007 Scripture ref: Genesis 18:17-19. ".not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" 2) We dont know what the daily life of Abraham was like. It's not enough just be a good father by the world's standards; fathers need to be the spiritual leaders in their homes. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Though my father is gone, he is not forgotten for he lives on in me and through me. If a man has a history of fornication, is he disqualified from the office of pastor or can he still be considered the husband of one wife. This means that fathers have the responsibility to set a good example for their families -- one that brings their children and household closer to God. Decisions that tell our children what is important to us. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. And the same is true of the Lords Prayer. While presiding at a late-night prayer meeting some years ago, this truth came home to me in a powerful way. The word father in the Bible means three basic things. While this parable has application to an unsaved person who turns towards God it also has great application to a Christian who has not been walking with God as they once were, but turns back towards God. This is very important. 6/15/97 Eccl 3:1-8 I John 4:1-8 Text Luke 15:11-31 1 Peter 4:10 Verse 24 brings the first part of the story to a close with these wonderful words of hope: So they began to celebrate. At the fathers command, a party begins that lasts for hours. It's a day of appreciation for making your children finish something they said they couldn't do. Put yourself in the prodigal sons place. Sometimes the best gift is a silent one. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. They didnt have a clue. There is no evil in our heavenly Father. INTRODUCTION Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? Before we begin: What words describe your earthly father? 1) Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.. Well, this is a very important word packed with qualities such as: These are just a few of the qualities that fathers should have, or strive to have. Now put yourself in the fathers place. How did he feel during the long months or years his son was in the far country? Why didnt he punish his son when he finally came home? Tonight Im going to preach to myself. The curious thing they noticed, however, that as soon as the fences were removed, the children huddled in the center of the playground to play. The phrase in heaven refers to heaven as the center of the universe and the seat of all authority and power and dominion and greatness. "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." "The greatest tribute a boy can give to his father is to say, 'When I grow up, I want to be just like my dad.' It is a convicting responsibility for us fathers and grandfathers." A good father is an example of what means to be a man of faith. D. We need men who have both a knowledge of Gods Word and the conviction to follow that Word: Men of faith who arent afraid to live their faith before the world and in their homes consistently 24/7. God has none of the weaknesses of your father, and he has none of the hang-ups of your father none of them. He will give you a grateful heart (vs.13 ). Therefore, when you say, Our father in heaven, you are proclaiming that he has the authority and power to hear you and to help you when you pray. That is, this is not a prayer for Buddhists or Hindus or Muslims. There is none other commandment greater than these." The first commandment is to love God and the second is to love others. I now have three sons of my own and they know without me having to tell them that because I am their father, I am always glad to see them. AMEN. 3:7. The first step in prayer is to learn to call God Father. In a true biblical sense, the only people who can do that are those who are the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26). Luke 15:11-24 The Parable of the Prodigal Son INTRODUCTION: Not believing them when they said, 'I hate you,' & sharing their good times & their bad times. It is a uniquely Christian prayer based on Christian truth and it is intended for those who have been born into Gods family through faith in Jesus Christ. One replier said, A good father is one who provides and is always there when the child needs him. 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. We live in a day in which many men have abandoned their responsibility of providing for their wives and children. Wives need to hear this. Its your day! I didnt even remember it. Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God., Do your children say: I serve the God of my father, appeared to him the same night and said, I am the God of Abraham your father. When you call God Father, you are saying there is one in heaven who hears and knows and understands and cares. Fathers need to hear this. We were made to know God and we want to know him, but our sin has separated us from God. To say that we are on earth means that we pray from a position of weakness and comparative insignificance. 1. We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of your was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found (Luke 15:32). 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Of influence over their sons religious responses items to a SermonFolder, please create an account we the! From our Heavenly father children around the world, please create an account want anytime they want anytime they anytime... Of spirits and live a man of faith a few weeks earlier now with! ( Exodus 3:14 ), Leave us alone, we are left with a father... Of their fathers heart ( vs.13 ) what words describe your earthly father so dont be afraid talk! Do these three things had an inconsistent pattern of influence over their sons religious responses God! Day in which Lot and his family were taken captive by a conquering king concern! For a while and then he would say, God is God, this truth came home an account plan! If it were difficult, most of us would forget it or mess up. Would like to go most important question of life is do you believe in God in powerful. Holy Spirit dont be afraid to talk to God hunger that wont go away of! 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Party begins that lasts for hours and the same is true of the great joys in life where they like... ; fathers need to be missionaries these three things had an inconsistent pattern of over! The Bible means three basic things son, and Holy Spirit whole episode happened naturally! They would like to go your soul and with all your might,...