Faith of a Father

Today I want to talk to the men out there. Now, that does not let you ladies off the hook.

You see, I want to talk the men out there because I believe with my entire heart that the most powerful force for the ministry of the church is the Holy Spirit of God, and that the second most powerful force the Holy Spirit can use is a group of men who are filled with the Holy Spirit. I believe that a man who is on fire for Jesus, in love with him, and walking in obedience with God is the most terrifying thing for Satan.

You see, the Bible is full of stories of what happens when men take their faith seriously- amazing things happen. And practically speaking, did you know that if a father is committed to Jesus and discipleship it is estimated that their kids are over 250% more likely to follow Christ? And I would go as far as to say that I believe that every healthy church in the world can be linked by a few common denominators, and one of those is a core group of committed men.

One of my favorite fathers in the story of the Bible is Jairus. His story is found in Luke 8:40-56

Luke 8:40–56 ESV

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Let’s walk through this story today, and as we do, I want to talk about some things with you men, and ladies today, listen to this story and consider ways you can pray for your husband. Kids, see if you see things in this you see in your father- or even things you don’t see in your father that you can pray for and encourage him to be in your life.

Jairus, a father in pain-

I f you are a dad today you know that there is no pain like having a sick kid. One of the things that really bothered me when Liv as sick was the amount of people out there with no kids who were really critical of Jess and I and the pain we were in and I told many of them- until you have kids you have no idea the emotions that come with it.

We men do not like to admit when we are in pain. We try and hide it, cover it up, or tough it out. I bet if we were honest there are likely a lot of men here today who are in pain, but you are not ready, willing, or able to admit it. But here’s the thing men, if Jairus is never ready to confess his need and admit he is in crisis, this whole situation may have never happened. Perhaps his daughter would have never been restored if he would have denied his need.

One of the best tricks Satan can use against us men is to convince us that we are weak or we are cowards to admit that we are in crisis.

Jairus, a men with Jesus.

Jairus finds himself at the mercy of Jesus because he is in the midst of a crisis. Men, you ever notice how many of us wait until a crisis to make our way to Jesus in a real way? So many of us will be in church for years, we will do all the “right things” as dad, but so many of us do not really connect with Christ until a crisis. Jairus was a ruler of the synogauge. In other words, he was a “churched man” he had spent his life around religion. He was likely highly respected and revered in the community. People probably saw him as a good man- a religious man- all the things that we want.

But in this moment of pain and crisis it is not to the synogauge he runs, its to Jesus. And let’s be honest, many of us men do the same thing. His pain propels him to Jesus.

And here is one of the thing I love about Jairis in this story- he takes action. We read later on that his wife stays at home with the daughter. It is Jairus who goes to Jesus for his daughter.

Did you know that over 67% of Church members are women. That means only 33% are men. That’s sad guys. Men, if you want your family to change, if you want Jesus to show up in your family- you need to be spiritually active.

Too often men take the passive roe in spirituality. They skip church to hunt or play golf; they don’t go to Bible study or spend time in discipleship because they are too occupied with other things; and too often because religion can be touchy feely they regulate the spiritual stewardship of their family to their wives. And men, when you do that you are asleep at the wheel of your own family.

Jairus, a man who trusted the plan

We get this aside in the middle of Jairus’ encounter with Jesus that is actually probably more well known that his own story. As they are traveling back to see his daughter we hear the story of the woman with the bleeding problem who touches the hem of Jesus’ robe and is healed. What a great story. But I have to feel for Jairus on this one, friends.

I get agitated and impatient if the person in front of me in the checkout aisle is taking too lon