Men's Breakfast
Men's Ministry • Sermon • Submitted
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To understand Scripture's full breadth and efficacy, we should read our Bibles as sons, brothers, and fathers.
In short, we read like:
A son.
A son.
God the Father wrote us a book—read it.
The precepts, commands, and promises are ours.
We need to claim them as His sons
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
A brother
A brother
No man is an island.
Read the Word in community.
We learn best when helping others to learn, and we learn most when others are helping us
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
A father.
A father.
Make good deposits—digest and store up the Word
As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
Store the Word in your heart so that when your wife, children, and neighbors need to make a withdrawal, there's something there.
"What if you're too late?"
"What if you've already messed it up...?"
"What if your kids never learned the Word of God because you never taught them?"
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
"how many more men are carrying this burden?"
The devilish lie that it is too late.
Too late to teach our children about God's Word.
Too late to tell our children that God loves them.
Too late for our children to hear us say, "I love you."
Men, hear me say, "it is never too late."
And let me tell you why.
First, God is a gracious God.
Joel 2:12 begins with some of the most powerful words in Scripture, "Yet even now..." Isreal had strayed, forgotten, and rejected God.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?
Two things God never runs out of: grace and mercy.
His grace and mercy are limitless.
Yet even now there is time to turn to Him and turn others (your children) to Him.
Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;
gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
Second, someone will disciple your child. It needs to be you.
Solemn assemblies are everywhere—there will always be someone willing to take up the responsibility of guiding your son or daughter, and they'll do it because they don't think it's too late.
In fact, for some, it will be a welcomed challenge.
Someone or something is constantly vying for your children's attention, regardless of their age; the world, the flesh, and the devil are all after your children (1 John 2:15-17).
The most consistent, loving, and intentional voice must be yours—above and beyond all the other assemblies surrounding them—your voice will point them to Jesus.
And it is never too late for them to start hearing your voice.
Your relationship will change as your children get older, but that never changes the fact that they are your children.
Your children are destined to carry on the legacy you leave behind.
Whether you know it or not, you're leaving a spiritual heritage.
The question is, will it be a good or bad one?
Many of you reading this are grandfathers and great-grandfathers.
Much of what you say today will echo in eternity.
Your kids and grandkids need you.
Start talking. It's never too late.
One of the most hopeless expressions is the face of an old man weeping.
The weariness in his eyes, the heaviness of his mouth, the bright red complexion of guilt and shame rushing to his cheeks—heartwrenching.
Some of you are reading this thinking it is too late—the guilt and shame of years wasted haunting you like a nasty ghost—listen to Joel:
“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.