The Challenge for Dads to Be Men Again
Exodus 15:22-27
DATE: 18 June, 2000 AM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (1Cor 13:11)
A. Every man in this room was a boy once, and as boys, we all wanted one day to be “a man!” There was something about being grown up – something about being more than a “kid!”
B. A note though - there came a day, when every man in this room “became” a man – I’m not talking about being a “male” of the species – I mean a MAN. That day came when we put away childish things:
1. Selfish things – real men think of others, and are a blessing
2. Play things – real men don’t live for pleasure, but for pleasing and serving
3. Past things – real men don’t complain about how somebody has treated them wrongly, or done them badly
These are all baby things, and childish things that every real man sets aside!
C. I know, the world convinced some of us that a big glass of Guinness made us “men” or a night on the town in a fast car, and a girl-friend made us “men!”
D. But, I got news for you – that stuff is just plain, selfish, ungodly, stinking sin – and a lot of stupidity too! It’s time we make a vow, a covenant with God, and our families that we are going to be men - Godly men – and it will work for you ladies too (not to be “men” but Godly), but the real work begins when men start acting like MEN!
E. Let me show you from God’s word just what I mean!
II.
Background (Joshua 24:24,25)
A.
The end of Joshua’s life
– one of the greatest men who ever lived – here is a hero for your kids to
have – a whole lot better than the sport’s stars and music stars and movie
stars! Joshua is so much like Jesus Christ – same name even!
B.
He has called a big
meeting with everybody
(over 2 million people gather)
1.
He has led the people of
Israel to conquer and possess the Promised Land! Took 25 years of battles, and
hard work, but the land of was theirs.
2.
Now, wanted to press them
– to get them to make a covenant – an agreement – a vow as a people to
God!
3.
Why? Because he was dying
– he was going to be gone, and he wanted them to stay right with God – and
you don’t do that by accident!
4.
In vs 24 it sounds so
spiritual – “And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we
serve, and his voice will we obey.”
5.
But there is a lot of
needed help found in this “Covenant,” this agreement, that will help US in
our homes men, and our lives ladies, and in our futures young people! Some of
you aren’t parents yet, well, this will help you one day!
6.
Joshua knows it is
Convictions that keep a people strong, and safe, and close to God – not
feelings! I need more than that! So God has provided!
III.
Message - The
Covenant of A Father (Exodus
15:22-27)
A. The Covenant of a Father is Made by Choice (14,15)
1. Joshua says “CHOOSE YOU” – make up your minds! Elijah had to force the people to do the same thing later on (1 Kings 18:21) quit fence-sitting
2. There are always plenty of choices in life
a. God made you with free will
b. God also made you with a brain – at least some of you!
c. These Jews had lots of choices to follow
1) The gods of the Egyptians – past gods of the world
2) Gods of the Amorites – current gods of the people around them
3) All the same – they are all the same – man-made sex gods; gods of war; gods of this world – very flashy and popular, but all false
3. There comes a time, when every person has to make some choices
a. About whether to repent and get saved (2Cor 6:2) – 20yrs this month
b. About whether to get serious about living for God
c. Whether we are going to have Godly homes in this church or not!
4. We need to make up our minds that just because we “believe” a thing, doesn’t mean we are LIVING it! We need to choose to LIVE this Book!
B. The Covenant of a Father is to Lead our Families (15)! Notice that Joshua didn’t need to look to Mrs. Joshua and ask “Is that right dear?” NO! They had as a family already made up their minds that God said daddy was in charge! That daddy was leading (not driving); leading (not just telling); but leading the family for God – like a shepherd, not a dictator!
1. In Faith – lead by faith, by believing God, and getting your family to trust God’s promises, and learn to pray together about everything! AMEN!!!
2. In Devotions – spend time with your family leading them in their walk with God! Teach them how to pray (you had better learn)!
3. In Service – lead your family in serving others – show them a life of service not just for money and wealth, but for kids at a Bible Club, or making a hospital visit, etc.
4. In Love. Show your kids how to love! Every home needs a balance
a. Comes by first loving God – visibly (saying AMEN), and singing with a heart
b. Comes next by loving that women – visibly – honourably!!!
c. Comes then by loving other Christians – not ever talking bad about!
5. In Living Right – schedule, routine, job, control of TV and radio in your home, and most of all control of our attitudes in the home!
C. The Covenant of a Father is Founded on Knowing and Loving the Lord (16-18) – as MEN and not wimps! Real men love GOD!!!
1.
First you have to Know and Love God By Experience
a. Was there a day and an hour where you repented and got born again?
b. Have you seen God’s hand working on you, pruning you, and moulding you into a new creature? I’m not talking about how some of you brag about what you gave up, and what you did before you got saved – I want to know, what has the LORD done in your life?!!!
2.
Know and Love God By Expression
a. Your actions ought to show that you love the Lord
b. No one can lead a family right that does not first follow the Saviour – he is a rogue, and has a rebellious heart – MEN ARE FULL OF IT!
c. How is your love for Christ? Does it show? If your expression is always doom and gloom, and down in the mouth, and why-me-Lord, and it’s always someone else’s fault, then your relationship with Christ is a farce and we need to repent and get right – SERIOUS!
1) God hates head-knowledge without heart – our problem
2) God asks for our heart FIRST (Mt 22:37)
3) The church at Ephesus had all the right doctrine, but had LEFT their FIRST LOVE – and God was upset!
4) Check your actions men, and see if there is any Christ-like love
3. Know and Love God By Study – hard work studying God’s Book when the world calls, friends call, sports calls – well, GOD IS CALLING US ALL TO BE IN THIS BOOK STUDYING AND READING AND GETTING TO KNOW OUR BLESSED LORD! No other way!
D. The Covenant of a Father is to Trust the Lord (18)
1. Trust the Lord
a.
In Battles
1) Who ever told you life at all would be easy was lying flat out – why do we think the Christian life is going to be any easier? What is the difference? It is the fact that Christ is WITH you, and will get you THROUGH! Never had that promise before – survival of the fittest always before!
2) So God gave us Rom 8:28; Pr 3:5,6; Philp 1:6; Ps 37:4
b.
In Endurance
1) It is easy to trust the Lord and obey His word on a good day, or every once in a while – But God wants perseverance
2) Trust means you will go the SECOND mile (Mt 5:38-42) because God said to, and because He said He’d help you!
c. In Service – Joseph showed us this! Trusted the Lord through 13 years of service to people who thought they were better than himself – he served anyway because God had placed him right where he was!
2. Trust the Lord
a. More than Self – humble yourself and realise that YOU CAN’T MAKE IT! Turn to the Lord and lean on Him for everything! Amen!
b. More than Sight – quit living by what you see, and trust the ever-living, Almighty God of this Book (2Cor 4:16-18)!
1) EX: Look at Sarah Johnson and you get discouraged – trust the Lord – he will DO RIGHT!
2) EX: Look at your wallet and you get discouraged – trust the Lord! He’ll take care of you, & help you pay bills if you work!
3) EX: Look at your life and you get discouraged – trust the Lord! He will mould you and fashion you into a conqueror
c. More than Secretly.
1) Don’t think you can be an under-cover Christian and ever mature into a Man and a real father! Can’t do it!
2) Trusting the Lord means that you live what you believe – what our lives show is that we just DON’T believe God and His word!
E. The Covenant of a Father Requires us to Count the Cost (19-25). Hard!
1. Joshua gets real rough – lays it on the line – reminds them of their current track-record – remind them this is not just playing games!
2. Count the cost:
a. Of being holy. Do you want to be clean, holy? It costs – turn off TV
b. Of commitment to Him – He is rightly jealous
1) Is Christ more important than the sports game, the computer, the car, the job, the pals, the bed, or the holiday?
2) We need to evaluate our flippancy towards Christ! What does HE mean to each one of us?
c. Of fearing God – instead of your friends – may cost you some pals!
3. Notice the verbal commitment – not worth anything until you are unashamed to say, I stand with Jesus!
4. If you have counted the cost – seen the price tag of having Godly homes, and of having a Godly life, and a Godly kind of church, well then pay-up!
a. Put away the strange gods (Ac 19:19) music, drink, movies: bin them
b. Incline you heart towards God – like a radio-dish! Keep it that way!
IV.
Conclusion - The Covenant of a
Father is:
A. Made by Choice (14,15) Joshua says “choose you” – make up your minds! Are you ready to repent and get saved? Do it today! Are you serious about living for God? Today is a good day! Are we going to have Godly homes in church? They happen only by choice, not by accident!
B. Is to Lead our Families (15)! In faith, Devotions, Service, Love, and in Living Right! Not just let the family go its own way!!!
C. Is Founded on Knowing and Loving the Lord as MEN and not wimps! Real men love GOD!!! By Experience, Expression, and Study!
D. Is to Trust the Lord (18) In the Battles, by Endurance, and in Service
E. The Covenant of a Father Requires us to Count the Cost
F. Have you made up your mind? Decided yet whether Jesus is worth it?