FATHER’S DAY SERMON - REFLECTING THE FATHER

REFLECTING THE FATHER

Why didn’t they play cards on the Ark? – Noah was always standing on the deck?

Did Eve ever have a date with Adam?  Nope – just an apple

Dad jokes aside  in all seriousness - Dad’s are important –

Even when race, education, income, and other socioeconomic factors are equal, living without dad doubled a child’s chance of dropping out of high school.

Living in homes without dads is more correlated with suicide among teenagers than any other factor

“They confirmed that father absence is not just correlated with negative outcomes but actually causes negative outcomes.”

Warren Farrell is credited with saying to a famous dad, “Your son doesn’t want your dime he wants your time.”  He also said, “The boy crisis' primary cause is dad-deprived boys. Dad deprivation stems primarily from a lack of father involvement, and secondarily from devaluing what a father contributes when he is involved.”

Today we reflect on the value a father gives to his family

Big Idea:

A godly father reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father by leading with love, integrity, and faith.

So as we begin – let us pray!

Father’s Day Sermon Outline: “Reflecting the Father”

Why are fathers important – dads important?

Point 1: A Father Leads with Love & Presence

Illustration: A study once asked children, “What makes a great dad?” Most didn’t say “funny” or “rich”—they said, “He’s there.” Presence creates trust, security, and memories that last.  A young child once said, “I know my dad loves me because he listens when I talk—even when he’s tired.” Love isn’t loud—it’s consistent.

Key Idea: A godly father shows up—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Physically – there at events – there at night to tuck them in – there at dinner time – there during down time

Emotionally – there to celebrate – there to heal – there to problem solve – there to teach

Spiritually – there to teach to read – teach to apply Scripture – teach to pray – teach to seek God – teach to serve God

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 103:13 – “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 – Without love, leadership is noise. – If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Proverbs 4:1–4 – “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.”

Open-Ended Questions:

How have you experienced or witnessed a father’s love in action?

In what ways can we express God’s compassionate love in our families?

Not only does a dad lead with Love and Presence, he is also important because

Point 2: A Father Walks with Integrity

Illustration: In the movie The Dark Knight, the Joker and his goons overtake a police honor guard, tying them up and stealing their uniforms so they can infiltrate a parade and gain access to the mayor of Gotham. Their ruse works until shots ring out and their real identities are revealed. For Christ’s ambassadors, our outward actions and words and our inward thoughts and desires should match. We are ministers of reconciliation. We must remember that we are fighting against sin, not people. This allows us to show grace instead of judgment as God works in and through us in the lives of those who believe differently. We are ambassadors of Christ. Our faith isn’t just a uniform we’ve pilfered to look churchy. If Christ is in us, then we are transformed by Him. We don’t need to look like we go to church; we need to be the church. On the flip side, we don’t have to look exactly like the culture to represent Christ to the culture. A child was once asked, “What is God like?” He said, “Like my dad.” What a compliment—or a warning. Fathers reflect the nature of God to their children, sometimes more than anyone else.  Another boy was once asked, “What’s it like to be a Christian?” He replied, “I don’t know—but I think it’s how my dad acts when no one’s watching.” Integrity is what our children inherit. 

Key Idea: Children learn more from what we live than what we say.

Aaron’s sons struck dead

David’s house divided and sons against him

Positive examples from Bible

Job

Joseph

Daniel

Supporting Scripture:

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 20:7 – “The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him.”

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – Living out God's commands before your children.

Titus 2:7 – “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,”– be self-controlled, in everything you do, set the example by doing  –

Open-Ended Questions:

Why is integrity important in fatherhood and leadership?

Where is God challenging you to be more consistent in your walk?

What is your life teaching your children (or others watching you) about God?

Where do you need to grow in consistency between your beliefs and your behavior?

Not only does a dad lead with Love and Presence and Walks with Integrity but he is also important because

Point 3: A Father Lives by Faith

Illustration: Think of a father as the spiritual compass of a home. He doesn’t have to be perfect, but he must point to the true north—Jesus Christ. Faith-filled leadership charts a legacy beyond the present.

Uganda and Ethopia (Mastewal) Stories

Uganda – unemployed fathers gambling and drinking alcohol while kids were naked and starving – once they accepted Christ as Lord and Savior – kids had food, kids had clothing, kids were enrolled in school

Mastewal – Compassion Child – parents taught a skill and given what they needed to work and were lead in the Lord – Mastewal is no longer our compassion child – she left to make room for another family that needed Compassion’s services

Key Idea: A father’s love should reflect God’s love—steadfast, forgiving, and full of grace.

Supporting Scripture:

Steadfast -

Hebrews 11:7 – “By faith Noah… built an ark to save his family.”

Joshua 24:15 – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Full of Grace

Psalm 103:13 – “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”

Forgiving

Luke 15:20 – “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him…”

Open-Ended Questions:

How can your faith shape the next generation?

What are practical ways to lead your home in faith, even through struggle?

How have you received God’s grace—and how can you show it to others in your home?

Is there a relationship that needs healing through your compassion and forgiveness?

Final Summary:

A father’s calling is high—but not impossible. By relying on the grace of our Heavenly Father, earthly dads can reflect His love, walk in His truth, and lead by faith. Whether you're a father, son, or daughter, we’re all called to live lives that point back to the ultimate Father—God Himself.  Being a godly father doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being present, being real, and leading by grace. Whether you’re a dad, a spiritual father, or someone influenced by one, let your life reflect the heart of your Heavenly Father.

Final Scripture for Encouragement: 1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:16-17 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.