Father's Day

DON’T STUNT YOUR GROWTH!

1 John 2:13 “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.”

The goal of the Christian life is to grow in grace and true knowledge of Jesus Christ! In order to accomplish this, there are three stages of spiritual development!

Today, it is my desire to encourage you to examine yourself to see where you are in your spiritual development and be willing to take the next step toward spiritual maturity!

Freedom can be gained instantly, but maturity involves a process! So, wherever you are in your journey to maturity, “Don’t Stunt Your Growth!”

I. The MOTIVATION offered to a BOY!

1 John 2:12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.”

Whenever a person is born again or comes to saving faith in Christ, the chief characteristic they possess is an awareness of their sins being forgiven!

This is the starting place for everyone and it doesn’t matter what our chronological age is, we are overwhelmed with the grace of God that made forgiveness of our sins available to us!

II. The MANDATES given to a SON!

1 John 2:14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

One of the things that being overwhelmed with the forgiveness of our sins does is it stirs within us an appetite for the word of God!

When the word of God gets within us, it makes us strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

We don’t send our young boys to fight on the front lines in our wars, but we do send our young men to fight on the front lines in our wars!

Some people want to stay children so that they don’t have to fight on the front lines, and they become spiritual draft dodgers!

One of the things that every young boy needs and every young son needs is to receive a well timed CHARGE from their father that becomes a personal mandate!

I want to share some of these well timed, motivational mandates from different fathers to sons from Scripture with you today:

A. ACT like MEN!

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

B. SHOW yourself a MAN!

1 Kings 2:1 “As David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying,”

1 Kings 2:2 ““I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.”

C. BE and EXAMPLE of those who believe!

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

Titus 2:6 “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;”

Titus 2:7 “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,”

Titus 2:8 “sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

III. The MANTLE available from FATHERS!

1 John 2:13 “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning.

Next to be nurtured by and mentored by a godly earthly father, being exposed to a true spiritual father is one of the most refreshing and empowering relationships a person can have!

A true spiritual father has developed experiential knowledge of God the Father and those who walk in sonship recognize it!

An authentic spiritual father does not attempt to be a biological father. A spiritual father does not overstep the role of a biological father!

Spiritual fathers have a godly, humble, powerful kingdom mantle resting on their lives, and those walking in sonship recognize it and desire to be imparted to them:

2 Kings 2:3 “Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.””

2 Kings 2:8 “Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.”

2 Kings 2:9 “When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.””

2 Kings 2:12 “Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.”

2 Kings 2:13 “He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.”

2 Kings 2:14 “He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.”

Elisha recognized that Elijah had become a spiritual father to him and when Elijah’s mantle fell from him, Elisha picked it up and discovered the power of impartation from a spiritual father to a spiritual son!

Here are a few of the many blessings spiritual fathers can provide sons and daughters:

A. Spiritual fathers have first learned to be sons themselves!

B. Spiritual fathers provide a safe environment of godly love!

C. Spiritual fathers carry personal integrity and authentic experiences in God to share!

D. Spiritual fathers create a great deal of freedom to succeed and or fail!

E. Spiritual fathers bring a spiritual covering and protection!

F. Spiritual fathers enhance the way you think about and view God as your Father!

G. Spiritual fathers lead you into spiritual maturity!

The apostle Paul was a spiritual father to many in the faith, so he was able to encourage them to put away childish things, bitter envying, jealousy and strife to become mature sons and daughters of God!

H. Spiritual fathers release an impartation into your life!

2 Timothy 1:6 “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

1 Thessalonians 2:8 “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

Romans 1:11 “For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;”

I. Spiritual fathers bring accountability and correction!

The greatest accountability spiritual fathers provide is the consistent, loving reminder of who you are in Christ!

J. Spiritual fathers release an inheritance to you!

What spiritual fathers have fought for in their life, ministry and calling becomes your blessing!

You did nothing to earn it, it’s their grace gift added to your journey!

Spiritual fathers want you to go further than they ever went, they want you to accomplish more than they ever accomplished!

A Spiritual father believes in you, BUT you have to be willing to position yourself as a son and recognize this mantle of spiritual fathering on someone’s life and not be discouraged from receiving it from them!

Don’t Stunt Your Growth! Press on to the prize and run the race that is set before you!

If you are not a son or daughter of God yet, are you willing to repent of your sins and experience the forgiveness of your sins today?

If you are a son or daughter of God today, are you ready to move on towards your maturity in Christ?

If you have been a child in faith, are you ready to grow into the next level of your maturity and win the next spiritual war that is waging against your soul?

If you recognize a spiritual mantle resting on someone and you would like to benefit from their maturity and wisdom, are you willing to serve along side of them as a son or daughter?