June 18, 2017
Morning Service

Mark Twain said, "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 the old man had learned."

Charles Swindoll said, "A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living."

We all have our father stories.  As I get older I realize more and more how a great amount of what I think and do have come directly from my father’s guidance.  I often catch myself sharing some life lesson with my boys or now my granddaughters and realize I was simply handing down what I had been given.  Do you ever catch yourselves doing that?  From my perspective that is really a good thing because I was blessed with an awesome earthly father.  He has set the bar pretty high for me to follow in his footsteps.  I have told him that I hope to be half the dad that he was. I knew it would be impossible to match his footprints.  Some of my greatest memories are when he told me he was proud of me.  I became a good father because I followed the example I was given.  My dad was a great one because he knows and follows the teachings of his Heavenly Father.           

You may not have been blessed as I was to have a terrific father.  If not I am very sorry for that.  But we all really have several father figures who influence us along our road of life.  Grandfathers, uncles, neighbors, coaches, teachers, or even pastors could fill in the gaps where we needed extra help.  I’m sure someone just came to your mind.  They were there when you needed a tire changed, gas money, a hug, advice, or just someone to listen and make you feel safe and loved.  There was someone who wasn’t your real father, but he fulfilled that role for you.      I think it is very interesting how God uses things that we know and understand to explain the deep spiritual truths.  For example the man and wife marriage relationship resembles the relationship between Christ (groom) and the church (his bride).  The all-knowing and loving God describes Himself to us as our Father.  Look how Jesus explained it that way as He taught His disciples to pray.

Matthew 6:6-9  But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.  (7)  But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.  (8)  Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.  (9)  Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

·         As we read scriptures like this it should help us to realize how Jesus describes God to us is by using the name “Father.”  Just as we go to our fathers for comfort and advice knowing they love and want the best for us, it is the same with our Heavenly Father.  Two weeks ago we spoke on how God chose us to be adopted into His family.  Look how Paul describes that relationship in Romans.

 Romans 8:15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, “Abba, Father!”

·         In the OT the Jews had such a fear and reverence of God that they would rarely even speak His name out loud.  Here Paul says we who have been chosen and adopted into the family of God and cry to Him, “Abba, Father.”  Abba is actually a word that means father also, but with a very endearing and loving tone, like “Daddy.”  That is a far cry from fearing to speak His name.  That is the close and intimate relationship we are to have with our Heavenly Father.  What a blessing that we are invited into God’s family as a child, not a servant.  The story of the Prodigal Son is also a great example of our Father’s love for us (Luke 15).

 

Getting back to the fact that it is Father’s Day today, I want to use this idea that we fathers (grandfathers, uncles, coaches, teachers, mentors) are helping to form the opinion of the young children around us have of their Heavenly Father.  There are little eyes upon us that see and hear all the things we are doing and hear the words we are saying.  The Art of Marriage seminar did an excellent job of explaining that how children will view the marriage relationship will mirror what they see at home.  I am saying the same is true for their view of God and their father.  We looked at Titus on Mother’s Day so let’s look there again today just to be fair.  Paul is speaking to and challenging the men of the church here (us) to live a life to be imitated.

 

Titus 2:6-8  Likewise exhort the young men to be discreet;  (7)  In all things having shown yourself a pattern of good works: in the doctrine, integrity, reverence, without corruption,  (8)  in sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he who is opposed may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

·         To be discreet means to prudent and wise in avoiding errors always looking for the best way to do something.  Strive to make wise choices.

·         Integrity simply means we are who we say we are.  It is how we act when no one is watching.  Live a life showing the proper principles and values.

·         Reverence is a profound feeling of awe and respect.  It is showing humility to God and those who have authority over you.

·         We are to try to live without corruption; being truthful and honest in our actions and words. Be a man of your word.

·         When we strive to do these things it creates the scenario of verse 8.  Those opposed to us will have trouble finding something in our lives to complain about.  That was the case with Daniel of the OT.  The only thing his enemies could find as a fault in his life was that he prayed too much.  How great would that be for us!

Men, just as I told the ladies, let’s do this together.  Strive to find a Paul, Barnabus and Timothy in our lives.  We need a mentor to look up to and guide us, a friend to walk through life with and hold us accountable and a younger man for us to invest in his life.  It is important that we walk this journey called life together.  God created the church as a body or group of believers knowing that we need each other’s help to make it.

 

Men and fathers we have been called to lead our families.  This is not an easy task but one that requires great commitment and effort. One of the most impactful books I have read was “Point Man,” written by Steve Farrar.  He compares a father to the point man leading a patrol in enemy territory. If his men are going to return safe it is up to him to spot any trouble ahead and lead them through it.  The same is true of your family.  They need you to be on guard watching and protecting them physically and spiritually and lead them through.  A big challenge, yes but God will not call you to it without helping you to do it.

 

Father, thank you for allowing us to be called Your children give us strength to complete the task You have given us to lead our families.