Father’s Day 2024

Intro; There are three days that are very important in the month of June [besides birthdays], that I believe every American needs to celebrate. Those days are, Flag Day, D-Day and Father’s Day. These days are linked together in the history of our country and for the advancement of our republic. Let me give you a brief summary of two of these days;

Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution stated "That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

The United States Army also celebrates the U.S. Army birthday on this date, as Congress adopted the American continental army after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. On August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 110[6] is the official statute on Flag Day; however, it is at the president's discretion to officially proclaim the observance.

Flag Day represents the uniting of 13 colonies as a new nation under one banner and the defense of it’s independence and belief from the tyranny of the King of Britain and any adversary.

D- Day / The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. The operation, given the codename OVERLORD, delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France. The beaches were given the code names UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, and SWORD. The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries. Almost 133,000 troops from the United States, the British Commonwealth, and their allies, landed on D-Day. Casualties from these countries during the landing numbered 10,300. By June 30, over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. Fighting by the brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the allied forces western front, and Russian forces on the eastern front, led to the defeat of German Nazi forces. On May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France.

In the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower, “D-Day was not only the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany war machine, it was also the greatest crusade of liberty loving people for the security of ourselves in a free world.”

These two days should be etched in the heart and mind of all Americans, especially fathers, for it was the sacrifice of those who took part in these days that give us the freedom to gather here in worship this morning!

Father's Day is a holiday honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. For centuries, the Eastern Orthodox Church has appointed the second Sunday before Nativity as the Sunday of the Forefathers to commemorate the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, starting with Adam and emphasizing the patriarch Abraham, to whom God said,

Genesis 12:3 NKJV

3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

In the United States, Father's Day was founded in the state of Washington, United States, by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. Father’s Day is observed in over 111 countries worldwide.

What do these three days have in common?

Each day is meant to unite people

Each day represents a struggle for freedom

Each day is meant to honor those who influence society in a positive way

Text; Eph. 6:4

Ephesians 6:4 NKJV

4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

1. Do not Provoke Your Children to Wrath; 6a

Provoke- arouse anger, incite deliberately or stir up

Wrath- extreme anger, make bitter, hate

How can we as dads unite the family instead of provoking it in division

Be Consistent- never make promises you are not going to keep.

Be Careful when Criticizing- criticism discourages people and anyone can do it. But constructive criticism stirs growth

Give Praise when due- a pat on the back or encouraging words is always needed

Never play favorites between your children- feeling unwanted crushes lives

Love their Mom- Greatest peace a child has in the family [outside of Christ] is knowing that dad is in love with mom!

Spend time with them- Not just at the ball field and supper table, but set some time aside for each child to get to know them

Doing these things is not a guarantee that your child is going to turn out alright, but neglecting these things is a guarantee that he won’t!

2. Bring them up in the Lord; 6b

Just as each day that we mentioned, there was a struggle to liberate or set people free from oppression, dads, it is our responsibility as the head of the family to liberate our children from the tyranny of SIN. We do this by training them in the admonition of the Lord!

Train- nurture, care for, feed, supply needs

We are to make sure our children have food, clothing, shelter, good health and a good education. We want to take care of their physical needs and we train them how to be successful in the world.

But we are to make their “spiritual nurturing” a greater priority

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Teach your children the Word of God before we show them the ways of the world

Reproof means to rebuke them in error

Correct means to show them the truth

Instruction is to set them on the right path

In doing this we are setting them up for “Spiritual prosperity”

Admonition- caution, warn in the Lord. There are consequences when one rebels against God.

1 Corinthians 10:5–11 NKJV

5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Just like the Israelites suffered the consequences to their sin, so do we!

[7] Serve God and not the world through idolatry [golden calf]

[8] Stay pure and chaste in body and spirit [Moab]

[9] Spoke against God and Moses in anger [wilderness]

[10] Complained against God’s Promised land [Canaan]

[11] Warning for all ages to heed

Dad, if you want to liberate your kids from the bondage of SIN, and the lust of the world, live Jesus before them and lead them to Him!

3. Father’s Influence Society Positively; 1-2

Dads, when we do our job uniting the family and liberating our homes from the bondage of sin, through faith in Christ, then we will have made a positive impact on society.

[1] When we have families where children obey their parents, this is a plus because it is right!

Proverbs 6:20–23 NKJV

20 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22 When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

[2] When we have a generation of kids that honor their parents, they will also honor/respect other adults in society as well

Matthew 19:19 (NKJV)

19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

[3] When you have a new generation of people who understand the sacrifices that were made in times past on their behalf, then they will appreciate and even protect those sacrifices with their own lives.

Romans 1:16–17 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

1 Peter 3:13–17 NKJV

13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Close;

Dads, we need to unite our families in the love of God,

Liberate our families from the bondage of SIN through the precious blood of Jesus Christ,

And every day do our best in the power of the Holy Spirit to influence society in a positive way!

Every day is D-Day, hoist the banner of Christ, lead your family into battle against the ways of the world as only a godly dad can!