Title: Building a Legacy: A Father's Day Sermon
Title: Building a Legacy: A Father's Day Sermon • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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My Fathers name is Wayne Eric Davis. He was born on April 19th, 1946. He was a man who knew things. Whatever it was he knew something about it. His hands were huge, strong , they felt like a Brillo pad from all the years of hard work, he had a strong handshake as he looked you directly in the eyes. He was a builder of things, had the mind of a engineer, a relentless work ethic. He would tell me “don’t ever let anyone outwork you” He set the example of what he wanted done, he would say, “never ask anyone to do something you’re not willing to do yourself”
He was respected, he was looked up to. He was the one everyone went to for the answers. My dad was a Project Manager of a heavy mechanical construction company. Dad would take a set of complicated drawings and turn them into something beautiful, something functional something amazing.
Dad loved fast cars. When I was young he bought a 1965 Ford F100, I loved that truck. I remember we removed the engine for the sole purpose to teach me how to rebuild it.
Dad taught me so much, how to use my hands to make a living, to work hard at everything I do, to be a man of integrity, to look a man in the eye, shake his hand strong, always do what you say.
Dad taught me what to do but he also taught me what not to do. Dad didn’t make a good husband, he was in and out of the lives of me and my sister. Dad never took us to church, don’t remember him telling me about God. After his death in 1991 I leaned that he was baptised in a church in Georgia. To this day I don’t know if he was a believer or not.
When I married Kelly in 1994 didn’t know much about what it meant to be a good husband, but I did know that, I would never leave her, I would never cheat on her and that, I would always encourage her. I also didn’t know much about being a father but what I did know what to teach them to work with their hands, not let anyone outwork them, look a man in the eye and shake his hand strong, and to be a man of your word.
I became a Christian soon after Kelly and I was married. Years later I surrendered to the Lord and since then I have tried to show my boys what it means to be a Christian father and husband.
All four of our boys are incredibly successful, we couldn't be more proud.
My son Ryan is a spitting image of his grandfather, he also has that same ability to take a set of drawings and turn them int reality.
Pictured on the screen are two projects, both different yet both must have the same beginnings. These are basically the steps.
The Vision: The customer hires an architect to create a set of engineered drawings that take the vision and make it a plan.
Hiring a contractor: This company takes the drawings from the architect and make it reality.
Site work: The first contractor is the grading company: they prepare the ground for what is to come.
The Civil Contractor : After the ground has been fully prepared the civil contractor pours the foundation. These first two steps are critical.
Next come the Block Masons: this contractor builds all the walls one block at a time. note: the walls always start with the corner, remember that.
By this time the project Manager, in this case Ryan is the Maestro of a huge symphony all coming together to make something beautiful. what appears to be chaos to some is beauty to the Maestro, he can see it all come together.
6. Next comes the Steel contractor: they set in place the steel bar joist for the roof
7. Then the roofing contractor to installs the roofing system to protect the whole building form the elements.
8. Then the mechanical contractor to install the HVAC system.
9. The Electrical contractors have been working to run miles of wire to have lights and power.
10. Then you have the finishing crews: they lay the flooring, install the windows, paint the walls, install all the support equipment that the school needs to be successful and the list goes on.
All the while the Maestro sees it all coming together to make something beautiful.
I want to draw a parallel here with us Fathers or Fathers to be:
I want to draw a parallel here with us Fathers or Fathers to be:
1. The Vision
Building Process: The customer hires an architect to create a set of engineered drawings that transform the vision into a plan.
Parental Parallel: Fathers often have a vision for their family's future.
Be successful in providing for your family. This includes a roof over their head, food to nourish, clothes to wear.
Provide a good well-rounded education
Provide a save, positive and loving environment
To leave something for your family when you’re gone.
To teach them good morals and values.
2. Hiring a Contractor
Building Process: The contractor takes the drawings from the architect and makes them a reality.
Parental Parallel: Fathers take on the role of the primary builders in the family, implementing the plans and values they envision.
They lead by example, guiding their families in the right direction.
3. Site Work
Building Process: The grading company prepares the ground for what is to come.
Parental Parallel: Fathers prepare the foundation for their family by creating a stable, nurturing, and loving environment. This groundwork is essential for the family’s future development and success.
Success doesn’t come from the vision, success comes from laying the right ground work to complete the vision.
4. The Civil Contractor
Building Process: The civil contractor pours the foundation after the ground is prepared. This step is critical.
Parental Parallel: Fathers establish strong moral and ethical foundations for their children, teaching them core values such as integrity, respect, and responsibility. This foundational work is crucial for their children's character development.
5. Block Masons
Building Process: The block masons build all the walls one block at a time, starting with the corner.
Parental Parallel: Fathers build their family one day at a time, addressing challenges and celebrating successes. They start with key principles, just as walls start with the corner, and build up from there.
6. The Project Manager
Building Process: The project manager, like a maestro, coordinates all activities, ensuring everything comes together beautifully.
Parental Parallel: Fathers coordinate and manage the various aspects of family life, from work and education to leisure and discipline. They ensure that all parts work together harmoniously to create a loving and supportive home.
7. Steel Contractor
Building Process: They set in place the steel bar joists for the roof.
Parental Parallel: Fathers provide strength and support to their families, offering guidance and protection. They are the pillars that hold the family together during tough times.
8. Roofing Contractor
Building Process: They install the roofing system to protect the building from the elements.
Parental Parallel: Fathers shield their families from external pressures and challenges, providing a safe and secure environment. They act as protectors, ensuring their family is safe from harm.
9. Mechanical Contractor
Building Process: They install the HVAC system to maintain a comfortable environment.
Parental Parallel: Fathers work to create a comfortable and nurturing home atmosphere, addressing the emotional and physical needs of their family members. They ensure that everyone feels loved and supported.
10. Electrical Contractors
Building Process: They run miles of wire to ensure the building has lights and power.
Parental Parallel: Fathers empower their families through education, encouragement, and support. They provide the resources and opportunities their children need to succeed and thrive.
11. Finishing Crews
Building Process: They lay flooring, install windows, paint walls, and install necessary equipment.
Parental Parallel: Fathers pay attention to the finer details of family life, from attending to their children's interests to creating traditions and memories. These finishing touches enrich the family's experience and bring joy.
The Maestro's Perspective
Building Process: The project manager sees the entire project come together beautifully.
Parental Parallel: Fathers, like maestros, see the bigger picture of their family's growth and development. They understand how each moment, decision, and effort contributes to the overall harmony and beauty of their family's life.
We have seen the basic plan of life for the construction process of a school. we paralleled that building process to us Fathers. Now I want to talk about The Father, the grand Architect
1. The Vision:
God, our heavenly Father, has a vision for His people. He is the divine architect who has a perfect plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2. Hiring a Contractor:
God's plan is made real through Jesus Christ, the contractor who brings the vision to life. John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus fulfills the Father's plan through His life, death, and resurrection.
3. Site Work – The Grading Company:
God prepares the ground of our hearts to receive His word. He removes the obstacles and makes us ready for His work. Ezekiel 36:26
26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
This preparation is essential for our transformation.
4. The Civil Contractor:
The foundation of our faith is laid by the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Our faith is grounded in this unshakable foundation.
5. The Block Masons:
Our spiritual lives are built one block at a time, starting with the cornerstone. 1 Peter 2:4-5
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Each act of faith, prayer, and obedience adds to the structure of our lives.
6. The Maestro – Project Manager:
God is the Maestro, orchestrating every detail of our lives. What may seem chaotic to us is a beautiful symphony to Him. Romans 8:28
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God sees the end from the beginning and ensures everything comes together for our good.
7. The Steel Contractor:
God provides the strength and support we need through His Word and His Spirit. Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
8. The Roofing Contractor:
God is our protector, covering us with His grace and mercy. Psalm 91:1-2
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
His protection keeps us safe from the storms of life.
9. The Mechanical Contractor:
God creates a comfortable and nurturing environment for us through His presence. John 14:16-17
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The Holy Spirit comforts and guides us, ensuring we are cared for.
10. The Electrical Contractors:
God brings light and power into our lives. John 8:12
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
His light dispels darkness and gives us the power to live righteously.
11. The Finishing Crews:
God perfects us and completes His work in us. Philippians 1:6
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
God's finishing touch is His love, shaping us into His likeness.
Conclusion:
God the Father is the divine architect, contractor, protector, and nurturer. He has a beautiful vision for each of us and meticulously orchestrates every detail of our lives to fulfill His purpose. As we celebrate Father's Day, let's honor our Heavenly Father, trusting in His perfect plan and rejoicing in His loving care. Amen.
