Fathers: Christ's Representatives to their Families

Ephesians 5:25-6:4

Fathers: God’s Representative to His Family

Kings Grove Baptist Church ~ April 22, 2007

Spring Revival 2007: Rebuilding the Family Altar

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Being a parent is never dull, especially if you have a boy. When you become the father of a boy, you are educated. Here are some things you learn:

1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a

2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

2. A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults

in a crowded restaurant.

3. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the

motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy

wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is

strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to

spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

4. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling

fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have

to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball

a long way.

5. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't

stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

6. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh

oh", it's already too late.

7. Super glue is forever.

8. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming

pool you still can't walk on water.

9. VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though

TV commercials show they do.

10. The fire department in Six Mile, SC has a 5-minute

response time.

11. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not

make earthworms dizzy.

Being a father is a tough job. We need to understand just how much our children are watching us.

Illus. Just Like my Dad

A teacher was asking her children what they wanted to be when they grew up. She came to Billy and he exclaimed:

“I can already tell I’m going to be like my dad. I already have his eyebrows and I’m getting to where I don’t listen to my mom either.”

Tonight’s message is going to be directed to men.

Seriously, we have a massive responsibility as husbands and fathers.

READ, Ephesians 5:25-6:4

What does Paul use the husband/father role to be a symbol for?

Christ

Just how massive is our responsibility?

Men, we are Christ’s representatives to our families.

Just as Christ is our High Priest, you are the priest of your home.

(You are the one whose responsibility it is to bring your

family to God).

You are your family’s preacher?

I ain’t no preacher!

Yes, you are, it is just the matter of what message you are

preaching to your wife and kids.

How is the Father Christ’s representative to his family?

1. You are to represent Christ in your marriage.

Men like to hear about headship.

(v. 22) “submit” “Lord”

Hey guys, don’t let it go to your head!

Illus. Hey, I wear the pants in this family

A newly married man looked at his wife and said, “You see those pants hanging on that chair, those are mine and I want you to know from the very beginning that I wear the pants in the family.”

Without missing a beat, the wife pointed to her apron hanging in the kitchen: “You see that apron hanging up, its mine, and I want you to know that I am the cook in this family and if you make another wise-crack like that you will not eat another meal in this house. You better find yourself a good tailor who can take up those pants, because you soon might find them not fitting you.”

Seriously, what does it mean for the husband to have headship?

John Piper quote:

Headship is the divine calling of a husband to take primary responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership, protection, and provision in the home.

READ, 5:25

What does it mean to love our wives as Christ loved the Church?

1. Unconditional love

2. Sacrificial love

3. God glorifying love

Dads, will your relationship with your wife help lead your children to see Jesus?

2. You are to represent Christ in your presence.

READ, 6:4

1. How much time you spend:

How can you lead your children when you are not present?

Children need their fathers.

| Illus. Cats in the Cradle My child arrived just the other day

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoonLittle boy blue and the man on the moonWhen you comin' home son?I don't know when, but we'll get together then sonYou know we'll have a good time then Well, he came home from college just the other daySo much like a man I just had to say"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"He shook his head and said with a smile"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keysSee you later, can I have them please?" And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoonLittle boy blue and the man on the moonWhen you comin' home son?I don't know when, but we'll get together then sonYou know we'll have a good time then I've long since retired, my son's moved awayI called him up just the other dayI said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the timeYou see my new job's a hassle and kids have the fluBut it's sure nice talking to you, DadIt's been sure nice talking to you" And as I hung up the phone it occurred to meHe'd grown up just like meMy boy was just like me

Here is a sobering thought:

Your child’s first impression about the Heavenly Father is shaped by how they see their earthly father.

If they need to know that God the Father is there for them,

They need to know that their earthly father is there for them.

READ, 6:24-

We provoke our children to anger when we are not there for them.

You are a represntative of Christ by your presence in . . .

2. How you respond them.

Illus. Alec Baldwin

We provoke our children to anger in how we talk to them.

READ, Ephesians 4:29-32

Fathers . . .

3. You are Christ’s representative when you disciple your children

READ- Ephesians 6:4

Who is the spiritual teacher/preacher of your children?

Dads, it is your responsibility:

How do you do it?

1. To teach, you must learn.

Main excuse: I don’t know enough!

My response: Get in the Word

2. To teach, you must lead.

Don’t take your family to church, bring them with you.

Be the ring leader to get them up and get them out!

Teach them to bring their Bible, by taking yours.

3. To teach, you lean.

This is too tough! I can’t do this!

Your right, but you have been given a secret weapon!

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Dads, we are called to represent Christ to our families.

Two important things must be true about us for this to happen:

You must be a child of the Father.
You must be a child who relies on the Father.