Honor Your Father

Exodus 20:12 (NLT)

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Introduction:

The call to honor is the first commandment in the Bible that has a promise attached to it.

To honor is: to regard with great respect

Honor is something that men understand because it is the code that we live by. Ancient Israel is an honor society. It is part of who they are and the Bible is written with this system in mind.

Today is Father’s Day and it is a day we give honor to fathers of all kinds. There are four things about honoring fathers that I want to point out today:

1. Honor your father because God commands it;

2. Honor your father because his title deserves I t;

3. Honor your father because responsiblity requires it; and

4. Honor your father because we want to give it.

1. Honor Your Father Because God Commands It

A. The Voice of God (don’t say this)

The Book of Numbers contains some important instructions for fathers and their families.

Exodus 20, specifially outlines the giving of the Ten Commandments. These well-known commands are simple, understandable statements.

The Ten Commandments are the basis for all other parts of the Law of Moses. They are only part of what God audibly spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai. These commands were so important that God not only spoke them but He also wrote them on stone tablets.

Imagine the scene as Moses was called up to the top of the mountain. The mountain blazed with fire and smoke everywhere. When God spoke the mountain shook and all the people were frightenened. There was the long blast of the trumpet and terror struck the people. They begged Moses to go and talk to God and they would wait at the bottom of the mountain.

God spoke and there was a sound from heaven that day. And one of the things God said was Honor your father.

B. The Voice of Jesus

We honor fathers all around the world today, because God’s Word commands it. Not only is this command in the Old Testament, but Jesus reiterates it in the New Testatament.

Some Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking about ceremonial handwashing. Jesus and the disciples were not following the “age-old-tradition” and they thought it would be a good chance to trip Jesus up. Look at his response:

Matthew 15:3–4 “Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’”

He repeats this command elsewhere:

Matthew 19:19 “Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’””

Luke 18:20 “But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’””

Furthermore, the apostle Paul reinforces Jesus’ instruction in Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:1–4 “Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers,* do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”

We all were here when our friend Renee Hickson told us about how God had walked with her through her cancer diagnosis and treatment and this verse was one that she held onto.

God made a promise that if you will honor your father and mother, things will go well for you and you will have a long life on the earth.

Of course we also know that the opposite of that can be true also.

This command was unlike the others, it was a command that had a promise attached. If you do this, God will do this.

WE HONOR OUR FATHERS BECAUSE GOD COMMANDS IT

2. Honor Your Father Because His Title Deserves It

The Title of “Father” is not one to be thrown around loosely. Today we have so many words to describe someone that should be a father but is not living up to the name. That is why people might call a man, “Baby Daddy” or other things.

He may have taken part in the pro-creation stage but has done very little since.

What a tragedy for millions of children. Maybe your like me and have come from a broken home.

My parents divorced when I was 5 years old. My birth father was not a part of my life. My mom re-married and I suddenly had a step-dad, someone I did not want telling me what I could and could not do. I did not need another man trying to take the place of someone that was supposed to be my Father.

Maybe you never knew your dad at all and the title “Father” is just something that brings up feelings of abandoment, resentment and pain.

I do know that some of you had wonderful, loving, godly fathers. And I praise God for them.

Lets look at this title “Father”

A. Our Heavenly Father

Scripture uses the title “Father” 244 times referring to God the Creator, the Supreme Being.

B. Earthly Fathers

The title “father” is used of earthly fathers 144 times in Scripture. It refers to one’s nearest ancestor of one who has begotten a child, the male parent.

C. Spiritual Fathers

Paul talks about spiritual fathers in his letter to the corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 4:15 “For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.”

A Spiritual Father is one who nourishes, protects and holds up.

It is what Abraham is known as to the people of Israel.

The term can also be used of a “forefather” or “patriarch.” I remember my friend Walter Nichols would refer to Pastor Rickey as the “Founding Father.” He was the pastor of the church for 19 years before becoming ill and his son Pastor John took the reigns. Pastor Rickey was someone who would still be a mentor or “Spiritual Father” to many of us men.

We honor our Fathers because God Commands it and because his title deserves it.

3. Honor Your Father Because Responsibility Requires It

A. Our Responsibility to Them

We honor our Fathers because there are laws against dishonoring them.

Exodus 21:15 ““Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death.”

Leviticus 19:3 ““Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 19:32 ““Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.”

Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.”

Deuteronomy 27:16 “‘Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’”

All over the world, people show great respect for the elderly in particular the elderly men. This is true in all different cultures, ones that don’t even know God. Yet here in America, which is supposed to be a Christian nation we see how poorly Fathers are treated.

Surely there is a consequence for not keeping our responsibility to Fathers.

B. Their Responsibility to Us

The family has a responsiblity to the Father but the Father also has a responsibility to the family.

1. They are to teach.

The father was the one in the ancient times that would teach the law of God to his children.

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 NLT

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Fathers, you have to be the ones teaching your children. Teach them about loving God. Be involved. They see what you do and know when you are faking it.

Read the Word, live the Word and worship all from the heart.

Fathers are to teach, but also

2. They are to answer.

Children have tons of questions. Oaklee is at the age where she asks a lot of questions, right? She probably asks alot of , “Why? But Why, But Why?”

Fathers, you are responsible to answer the questions that your children have about God so you better know who He is.

This is an area that I am extremely grateful to God as my Heavenly Father for. I dropped the ball and did not raise a family in church and because of that it ripped apart. Since that time, all members have come to accept Jesus as Savior. My daughter did not find Jesus because of her father but I am so glad that she knows Him and serves Him today.

Parents, let your children hear about how God has walked with you through life. Let them hear about God’s provision, God’s timing and God’s goodness.

Fathers are to teach, and fathers are to answer but also,

3. They are to discipline.

Proverbs 4:1–4 “My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.”

There is an interesting story woven through 1 Samuel 2, 3, 4. Eli was the priest and he had two sons, Phinehas and Hophni who were scoundrels. They would take the choices cut of meat from the pot of meat and act like bullies. They were no good for Israel and God warned Eli, but he would not correct his sons. Look what God says:

1 Samuel 3:13–14 “I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them. So I have vowed that the sins of Eli and his sons will never be forgiven by sacrifices or offerings.””

Fathers, God holds you responsible to discipline your children.

4. They are to love.

Proverbs 13:24 “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.”

The Word of God makes it simple. If you correct/discipline your children then you are actually showing love to them.

If you let them run the house and do whatever they want, you really don’t love them at all.

We are facing a real epidemic in our society because Father’s don’t love their children.

Father’s, love your children.

Honor your father because God commands it, honor your father because his title deserves it, honor your father because responsibility requires it and

4. Honor Your Father Because We All Want To

Being a man in today’s society can be a very daunting task. There is a lot of confusion if you follow the mainstream thinking of the world today. It is because they have disregarded God and His ways.

Many men have not lived up to the responsibilities that God has placed on them.

Men, it doesnt matter if you are a earthly father, grandfather or a spiritual father, our children need to see us live godly lives and to be genuine.

That means if you mess up, confess and get right with God.

Deep down, we want to honor Fathers, so let us be men worthy of that honor.

Conclusion:

I don’t think it is possible to be the kind of father or husband that the world needs without Jesus.

Even though there are some fine gentelemen out there, Jesus can take an ordinary man and make him extraordinary. He can make us to be the kind of men we are supposed to be.

The world needs men who love Jesus!

Would you stand with me please?

Wouldn’t Father’s Day be a great day to surrender to Jesus?

Wouldn’t Father’s Day be a great day to re-commit to following Jesus?

Wouldn’t Father’s Day be a great day to commit to be a better father?

You might be here or at home at be saying, Pastor, you don’t know what I have done.

There is nothing that you have done that God can’t forgive.

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

I think it is very important to give you the opportunity to set things in order today.

With every eye closed and every head bowed, if you are here today or maybe you are watching this online, and you sense that God is speaking to you and saying I want to have this relationship with you, just go ahead a put your hand in the air.

Give it some time - (DO NOT RUSH THIS)

Prayer: God I believe that you are talking to me. I answer that call today and will follow you. I surrrender my will to your will and call you Savior. Thank you for saving me. Now fill me with your Holy Spirit so I may be a witness for you.

If you are watching at home, we want to thank you for joining us today, join us in person on Wednesday at 6 for food and Bible study or next Sunday at 9 for SS and 10 for worship. May God richly bless you.

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Guys, we have a small gift for you today. I hope you will wear this hook signifying that you are a “Fisher of Men.”

You are someone who Jesus has saved and you want to point others to your Heavenly Father.

Let us celebrate Father’s Day today by honoring God, our Heavenly Father!!