What God Expects MOST of Fathers
1st John 2:13,14
June 21, 2020 AM Father’s Day
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction
A. Happy Father’s Day Everyone!
1. “My wife said I need to grow up. I was speechless. It’s hard to say anything when you have 45 gummy bears in your mouth!”
2. “The Mrs. and I have been married so long, she can finish my sentences. She also starts most of them and supplies the middle parts too!”
3. “The wife wanted two kittens, but I am the man in this house so… we got… two kittens”
4. “Couples have an amount they can spend up to without discussing with each other. Mine is around €50. My wife’s is around €643.27. Apparently.”
5. “Before I got married I didn’t even know there was a wrong way to put the milk back in the fridge.”
B. Thank God for our Dads
C. Mark Twain said the following about his father “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.”
D. There are three kinds of Dads
1. Those who were ready to be Dads
2. Those who weren’t ready to be Dads
3. And those who refuse to grow up and admit they are Dads
E. You may not be a father, but every one of us have or had a father, and need to hear what God says to fathers…
II. Background (1John 2:13)
A. This Bible is written to all people of all cultures and nations, to men & women, young and old
B. But it has some special things for men, and especially for Dads
1. 1John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
C. God does not praise fatherhood!
D. He praises fathers who know Him
1. Society needs grown men who know God, love God and fear God, walk with God
2. Selfish, immature, angry and effeminate men are the scourge of society and its ruin!
III. God does not say we are to honour worthy fathers, successful fathers, nice fathers, well behaved fathers…
A. God just says “Honour thy father”
1. The Bible says honour your father (Exodus 20:12) Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
2. May God deliver us from the constant criticism of our parents because of their flaws
3. Do you have a father? Is he still alive? Honour him!
a. Spend time with him. Forgive him. Love him. Learn from him. Respect him
b. It will save your sanity. It will save your marriage. It will save your kids!
B. Quit blaming him for all your own failures – you did most of them yourselves!
C. This is generation that is intent on correcting their parents
1. 12 year olds argue and try and change their parents ideas about:
a. Equality, and the environment
b. About what’s important in life
c. About the future and society
d. Basically children now come home from school and demand their parents to change!
e. THAT is wrong
2. Children are being used by the media, the school system, and especially by the liberal politicians
3. No one should use children
4. This generation is attempting to sit in judgment of all of history
5. Only ONE Person will do that, and will do it right – the Lord Jesus Christ!
6. It is right for everyone to discuss and ask questions, and request changes
a. But no matter how retro your parents may be
b. How thick-headed
c. How backward they are
d. You are doing more damage to this world by encouraging children and teenagers to overrule their parents than WWI and WWII combined!!
7. It is like the clay arguing with the potter
8. Most everyone, even Christians are so hyper-critical, and only see reasons to NOT honour their fathers in disobedience to God
IV. Facts About Fathers
A. More babies say “dada” as their first word than “mama” – it is a scientific fact
B. Becoming a Dad is a natural biological result normally of being married… Being a GOOD Dad requires a miracle!
C. Most kids turn out more like their father than they will admit – that’s a scary thought!
D. A lot of Dads are not great at being Dad
1. Too harsh Too busy Too thick headed Too uncaring
E. Every father fails at being a Dad
F. Most fathers wish they were better dads. The truth is, they were never taught how to be good fathers – they had pretty lame Dads of their own
G. Good Fathers are Unsung Heroes
1. Here’s to the men who willingly give up their freedom to be with one woman for the rest of their lives!
2. Here is to the men who WANT to have children - loads of them!
3. Here’s to the men who willingly get up and work their butts off to pay every bill and meet every need of their family with very little left over for himself at the end of every month
4. Here’s to the Dad who loves his wife after she has HAD all his children!
5. Here’s to the men who bring home muddy shoes & sweaty shirts after working all day for their family
6. Here’s to the Dad who rarely is ever asked how HE is doing, but he seeks to know the hearts and hurts of everyone in his home
7. Here’s to the men who make time for God first in their lives, reading their Bibles from cover to cover every year
8. Here’s to the men who don’t always pick up their socks and towels off the floor
9. Here’s to the Dads who still carry around pictures of their kids in their wallets
10. Here’s to the Dads who don’t want anything but the biggest bear hugs
11. Here’s to the fathers who know they have failed their families in so many ways, but keep pressing on, because their family is worth it!
12. And here’s to the dads who watch the news and worry more than ever what kind of world his children and grandchildren will face
13. Gentlemen, I salute you!
H. And Yes… There are some bad fathers – no denying
1. Bad Dads who have the wrong idea about what it means to be: Married; To be a Father; or even to even be Male!
2. There are many men who should NOT be fathers at all!
3. The failure of fathers is the core problem in society
a. All the science shows children growing up without a Dad are so damaged
b. Fatherless homes are the biggest problem in all nations
c. All the money in the world won’t make up for Dad not being with his kids and his wife
4. Where are the fathers, the Dads? The men who stay faithful to what is right?
V. Let’s Keep Fatherhood Special
A. Now, not everyone gets to be a father
B. But, God says being a Dad is very special, and very important to everybody in society
C. It is a shame that In 2008, primary pupils in Scotland were prevented from making Father's Day cards at school for fear of embarrassing classmates who lived with single mothers
D. This is not about being a great father
1. World’s greatest Dad… NOT!
2. Dad you’re the best
E. God just wants you and I men, to just be a faithful father
VI. Message
A. The Job of a Father – IS HUGE! He wears Many Hats – has Many Responsibilities!
1. Be the Main Provider (1Timothy 5:8)
a. 1Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
b. That used to be instilled in young men – now they sit at home until they are 40 years old and never make enough to pay for their own room and board
2. Be the Lover of Your Wife (Ephesians 5:25)
a. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
b. Love them like Christ loves YOU!
3. Please Momma (1Corinthians 7:33)
a. 1Corinthians 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
b. That’s BIBLE!
4. Be Head Bible Teacher and Instructor in the home, along with the Mom (Ephesians 6:4)
a. Many men are now doing the washing and drying and the ironing
b. But they refuse to enter into the teaching that is supposed to go on at home
c. Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
d. Pro 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
e. Pro 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
f. Pro 4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
g. Pro 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
h. So. Know and guide what your children are learning. Don’t be ignorant of the destructive agendas of today’s wicked educational system
5. Pass on Biblical Faith (Exodus 3:6; Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
a. It is NOT the job of this or any church to pass on faith to your children. That’s YOUR job
b. Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
c. Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
d. Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
e. Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
6. Be an Exhorter and Encourager (1Thessalonians 2:11)
a. The one who pushes your kids and honours them when they do their best
b. 1Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children
7. Chasten, correct, constrain your children (1Samuel 3:11-13) – so rare today!
a. 1Samuel 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
b. 1Samuel 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
c. 1Samuel 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
d. Modern Society has sterilized parenting so that most parents are terrified of correcting their children! That is a recipe for ruin!
e. Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
f. Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
g. Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
h. Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
8. Make sure you influence at least three generations for good (Proverbs 13:22)
a. Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children
b. Good men give more than money to their grandchildren – they give honour and respect and character and faithfulness and integrity, and stability
9. Make Sure You Grow Yourself – don’t just stay the way we already are – too stubborn, stuck
10. Walk with God – MOST IMPORTANT!
VII. We Men Need God
A. Kids need Dads – But Dads need God
1. The ONLY way to be the Man that your wife needs you to be, is for you to walk with God, know God, and submit to Him first
2. And the ONLY way to be the Dad that your children need you to be, is for YOU to walk with God, know God, and submit to Him first every day!
B. To fulfil all the responsibilities of being a Dad and more, we must become Men who know God thoroughly
1. 1John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
2. Remember… God does not praise fatherhood!
3. He praises fathers who know Him – intimately, passionately, closely, comfortably
4. Our families need grown men who know God, love God and fear God, walk with God
C. Do YOU know God? Like you know…
1. Your trade?
2. Your personal hobby?
3. Your sports teams? All the names and stats and games and coaches and wins and losses?
4. Your family history and heritage?
5. Your soaps and movie stars?
6. The words of all your favourite songs?
7. God says in Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
8. Sottish means “Dull; stupid; senseless; ignorant; very foolish.”
D. Some Scriptures
1. 1Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
2. THE FIRST THING FOR SOLOMON TO DO AS KING WAS TO KNOW GOD!
3. Jeremiah 9:23,24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
4. Philippians 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him...
E. It’s Time We Dads Made Knowing God the Most Important Thing in our Lives
1. John 17:1-3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
2. Know what GOD thinks about things
3. How HE feels about your language and way of talking
4. What He says is right and what he says is wrong
5. Know what the Bible says about your money, and your time and your life
6. Know the attitudes you need so you can replace the wrong ones you have
7. To get to know God, you need to…
a. Sneak off in the morning to be alone with God for 30 minutes before breakfast, before work, before school
b. Pay attention to the words you read, and seek to learn them and obey them
c. Talk to Him – PRAY gentlemen! Bring your list and cry out to Him from your hard heart!
d. Love the author - Thank Him for everything you have
e. Serve the Author
f. Worship Him
g. Trust Him for everything
8. And your family will be all the better, and safer, and blessed of God for it!
VIII. I Met God in the Morning - By Ralph Spaulding Cushman
|
I met God in the morning, When my day was at its best And His presence came like sunrise, Like a glory in my breast.
Chorus All day long the Presence lingered; All day long He stayed with me; And we sailed in perfect calmness O’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered, Other ships were sore distressed, But the winds that seemed to drive them Brought to us a peace and rest. |
Then I thought of other mornings, With a keen remorse of mind. When I too had loosed the moorings With the Presence left behind.
So, I think I know the secret, Learned from many a troubled way; You must seek Him in the morning If you want Him through the day.
|
IX. Conclusion
A. What is God going to honour about your life? Your fishing? Your hobbies? Your money?
B. Or your personal, comfortable, passionate knowledge of Himself?
C. Do you even know Him?
D. You know enough to get started!