Godly Fatherhood: Set Apart For A Purpose (2)

Introduction:

A. Fatherhood In Todays Culture

1. Fatherhood in Today’s World faces immense pressure-from culture, compromise, and confusion.

2. but God calls His people , especially fathers to be set apart-To lead their families in godliness, integrity and purpose.

3. In this passage , Paul calls believers to reject partnerships with darkness and to live as God’s children

B. A timely message for Fathers

I. A Godly Father Guards his Associations

Text vv,14-15

The New King James Version Chapter 6

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

1. He choses His Partnerships Wisely

a. Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed

b. A father must filter relationships that influence his values and home.

2. He Guards against Spiritual compromise

a. James 4:4  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

b. Living with one foot in the world and one in the church confuses the family.

3. He leads with Spiritual Discernment

a. 1 Corinthians 15:33  Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

b. What a father tolerates in His life will multiply in his children children’s

Illustration: A farmer wouldn’t Yoke a ox and a donkey- they pull in different directions and cause injury. A father must ensure that his spiritual yoke aligns with God, or he risks leading his family astray.

Application: Evaluate your closest influences. Are they helping or hindering your walk with God? Fathers must lead by example in saying “no” to unholy alliances and “yes” to Christlike friendships.

II. A Godly Father Pursues a Holy Lifestyle

text vv.16-17

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

He understands He Is God’s Temple

a. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

b. His Lifestyle reflects who lives inside him-Christ

2. He rejects worldly Practices

a. Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

b. he actively leads his family to value what is eternal, not just cultural.

3. He lives Set Apart for God’s Glory

a. 1 Peter 1:15-16 15. but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16.  because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

b. Holiness is not perfection but direction-Aiming for Christ in daily life.

Illustration: In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was not used for common things-it was set apart. Similarly, a father who recognizes he is God’s vessel will live differently.

Application: What’s filling your temple- Entertainment, bitterness, selfishness? or the spirit? Fathers must model holiness, not just preach it.

III. A Godly Father Embraces His Identity as God’s Son.

Text V. 18

The New King James Version Chapter 6

18  “I will be a Father to you,

and you shall be My sons and daughters,

says the LORD Almighty.”