The Father of Faith, Abraham - A Father's Day Message

Introduction

Happy Father’s Day. All of us have a Dad. While some of you may not have a Dad present in their life currently, many of us have memories of our Dad. I am blessed to have a Dad who was very faithful to the Lord. We, who are Christians, also have a heavenly Father who models for us what a Dad is to be. This is communicated through the revelation of His Word, the Bible. Throughout the Bible there are many dads recorded for us in Scripture.

This morning I want to look at a Dad from the Bible who is called the father of all them that believe. Who I am talking about?...Right, Abraham. Romans 4:16–17 “16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

D. Dad’s we are to role models of Christian character to our family.

P. Dads this morning we ought to seek to be the kind of Dad that God wants us to be.

T. Through looking at the life of Abraham we will see ways that we are to be the right kind of fathers in our home and if you are not a dad these are qualities that should be in every man and Christian.

I am using the Acrostic FATHER this morning to be our guide.

F - Faith

A- Affection

T - Teacher

H - Hardy

E - Example of good

R - Reconciler

PRAY

1. F - Faith to follow and obey God.

Genesis 12:1–4 “1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.”

Explain:

What is faith? Faith is believing even though you can’t see it with your eyes.

Argue: We are all currently showing faith in the seats in which we are sitting. No one is braced over seats because they are afraid the pew will collapse. Faith is confidence that God will do what He said and showing it by my actions.

Hebrews 11:1 “1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Abraham had a life of Faith: It moved him, demonstrated in his belief of God, and in his worship.

He had faith to obey God although he did not have a GPS or a map showing where God was going to lead next.

Faith to MOVE: Can you imagine being Abraham leaving your comfortable home to a place he had never seen. Leaving your thriving and technologically advanced society because God told you to leave. And you take your wife and everything you owned with you.

Hey Dear, we are moving.

Wife: where are we moving? I like it here.

Husband: I don’t know, but God is going to show us. I am going to follow wherever he tells us to go. Note: Abraham had a good wife too.

Some called to be missionaries may sense the call, but may not know where God is going to call them to serve when they receive the call.

Dad’s all are called to lead their family in faith. How do you know? God states it.

Ephesians 5:24–25 “24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

Ephesians 6:4 “4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

You do so as you obey God’s Word when your culture says that’s weird of even evil in their eyes. That can be hard to do.

Faith to BELIEVE: Abraham also believed God would give his family a land for an everlasting inheritance when he did not have any children. (Genesis 15)

The Context: Abraham has just defeated a coalition of kings and refused to take the spoil because his trust was in the Lord’s provision, not the wicked King of Sodom’s offer to make him rich.

Abraham: Was probably fearful of retaliation from the kings he had beaten in a surprise attack.

God: I am your shield and reward.

Abraham: If I am so rewarded why don’t I have any children.

God: Abraham, you see how many stars are out in this night sky? Yes, God. Your descendants are going to be in like number.

Observable stars in the universe are estimated to be 1 Septillium. That is a number with 24 zeroes. A trillion has twelve zeroes.

Isaiah 40:26 “26 Lift up your eyes on high, And behold who hath created these things, That bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names By the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; Not one faileth.”

Abraham could have said, What decendants, you still haven’t given me any and it’s been over 10 years since you promised.

Let saints learn how blind is human reason, and how feeble faith becomes when it tries to walk by sight;

[H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Genesis, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 218.]

Abraham didn’t see it in his life time on earth, but he believed God.

Do you have faith God will do as He promises in His Word?

After God blessed him with the Son of Promise, Isaac. He sent his oldest and trusted servant to find a wife for his Son in Haran and not in Canaan, because he wanted a wife that would be godly for his Son and not one of the heathen women of the land.

He as a Father wanted to help his son find a godly wife.

He wasn’t willing to settle for an ungodly woman although his son was nearing 40.

Culturally things are different today. We don’t do arranged marriages. However, I would argue that your relationship with your children should be such that when you give your opinion about someone they are considering and whether good or bad it will be valued as loving guidance.

you should be praying for God to prepare your child’s heart to be the right spouse. (Gen. 2:24; Matt 22:37, 39; Rom. 12:11)

your child’s future spouse to be a Christian who is pure, faithfully serving in their church and loves the Lord.

Your children would keep themselves pure in mind and body for their future spouse and from all appearance of sexual sin.

Hebrews 13:4 “4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

1 Thessalonians 5:22 “22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Faith to WORSHIP:

Genesis 12:7 “7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.”

Genesis 12:8 “8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.”

Genesis 13:4 “4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.”

Genesis 13:18 “18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”

Genesis 22:9 “9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.”

He had faith to give God what he loved most.

God didn’t want Abraham’s son as a sacrifice. He wanted Abraham’s heart.

Apply

Leave the past behind and move forward in faith like Abraham. Philippians 3:13–14 “13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Sins of the past leave behind.

Don’t live in the past, push forward for what God has for you today.

Launch forward cheerfully to do God’s will. Obey God clear directions for you and your family. As you do, you will find God giving you wisdom in every area of life. Psalm 111:10

Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2

Trust God to lead you through the Bible and Godly people who give you sound advice.

Learn to do well. Isaiah 1:17 “17 Learn to do well...”

As God teaches you from His Word put it into practice.

Let God’s Word transform you.

2. A - Affection towards your family and God.

Explain

In Abraham’s case we are talking of affection founded in a selfless love. It is a fatherly care, but goes beyond mere familial affection to influence how we care for our family’s needs.

I see Abrahams affection in his actions.

Genesis 13 he lets lot pick the choice pasture land for his flocks.

His affection motivated him to yield his rights as the Uncle.

Does your love for your family help you selflessly seek their good.

Genesis 14 he rescues Lot from a raiding kings who had taken his nephew captive. He acted swiftly to overtake these plundering monarchs in a surprise attack.

His desire for his nephew’s safety caused him to take daring measures to rescue his nephew.

Does your love of family give you the grit of a soldier to defend and protect.

Genesis 18 We find him interceding with God on the behalf of his nephew Lot.

His love for Lot causes him to pray fervently for Lot and the place he lived.

Does your love for family cause you to pray for them earnestly and faithfully?

Genesis 22 He is willing to offer what is nearest and dearest to his heart, his beloved Isaac.

His love for God meant nothing was to great for God to ask of Him.

Yes, Abraham was a man who demonstrated affection.

Is your love and obedience to God greater than for your family? What do you love most Christian? Is it surrendered to God?

Genesis 24 in a day of arranged marriages he sought a godly wife for Isaac.

Is your love for your children such that you pray and help them find a godly spouse.

3. T- Teacher of God’s ways.

Explain

Passing on your faith and convictions to the next generation.

Abraham was faithful to teach the way of the Lord’s justice and judgment to the next generation. Genesis 18:19 “19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Argue

Some men don’t like to talk, or some men are outtalked. In either case, we must communicate God’s truth to our family, children, and those around us.

Ephesians 6:4 “4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Paul did so with Timothy, his son in the faith. 2 Timothy 2:1–2 “1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

When am I supposed to have time to do that.

If you don’t have time to teach your kids your priorities are sinfully wrong. You must make time to teach your children.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

First you need to have God’s Word dwelling richly in your heart. Read, study, meditate, listen, and journal about the word of God. You must first own it yourself before you can teach it.

Diligently describes how you do it. It is a done with all your energies. It is not passive, but focused.

Talk is the best means for communication. I know some guys are not big talkers, but God tells us to communicate to our kids His truths. God will help you.

When - sitting, walking, lying down, and rising up: All the time.

What is meant by justice and judgment. Justice is often misconstrued in today’s culture. We say social justice, but what is meant is a marxist ideology dressed up as a cultural goal and inspiring ethic. For examples Social justice refers to the fair treatment and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society, aiming to address inequalities and promote human rights for all individuals.

Equitable is not based on ability or merit, but based on forced distribution to those who may or may not deserve such privileges.

In Christ, there is no room for favorites or special treatment of a supposed oppressed class. Galatians 3:27–28 “27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Justice is what is right in God’s eyes. We know what is right by the Word of God, not the dictates of culture.

Judgment is how God has ruled in the past, a law, or manner.

These two are married together 15x in the Bible.

Illustrate

God counted Abraham righteous for trusting his promise. Genesis 15:6 “6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

God will count you righteous if you trust the promise of eternal through his Son Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16 “16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Apply

Requires you to have a walk with God.

Ready to teach your children.

Reasoning that is Scriptural.

Rule that right and decisively scriptural.

As dads we must be aware that we are teaching all the time. The world is our class room. How we are responding when the car has trouble. We are running late for an appointment. How we manage our time and work are all teaching our chldren.

4. H - Hardy

Explain

Abraham had a long route to Canaan, approximately 1,025 miles at 75 - Genesis 12.

Abraham’s rescue of Lot was 160 miles in his 80’s. - Genesis 14

Abraham’s hike to Mount Moriah was a three days journey in mountainous terrain at roughly 113 - Genesis 22

Abraham was not a sissy. He was hardy. He took responsibility for his family. We don’t find him quitting.

Argue

They didn’t have cars. Travel was mostly on foot.

There are several New Testament Passages which sum Abraham well.

Colossians 3:23–24 “23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

2 Timothy 2:1–3 “1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Apply

Father are you hardy?

Prepared,

Strong

Exercised

Trained

A football player must have done all three to be prepared to play. The Christian must also be so in the Lord to fight the good fight of faith.

persistent, and

passionate in providing for your family spiritually and physically?

Taught - Proverbs 4:1–2 “1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law.”

Training - Proverbs 22:6 “6 Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Are you fighting the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:11–12 “11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

5. E - Example of Good

Explain

While we know God is the only one truly good, we find that God can encourage us with those who did right in the past.

Abraham provides a few examples.

Obedience to God. - Genesis 12:1-4

Abraham obeyed God although he didn’t know the big picture.

Abraham did not ask God to show him the whole story.

Selfless with family. Genesis 13

He opened his home for Lot who had lost his father, Haran.

Protector of his family and kin. Genesis 14:1-16

Relying on God to provide instead of being greedy about war spoils. Genesis 14:21-24

Willingness to give what he loved most to God. Genesis 22:1-18

Purchasing burial ground for Sarah in faith that God would give his descendants the land God promised him. Genesis 23:1-20

Apply

Do your children see your faith in God in your life?

Does your family see you set aside your fatherly prerogative sometime and let them pick first sometimes.

Romans 12:10 “10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

Does your family know you’ll be there to protect them.

Matthew 12:29 “29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.”

Mark 3:27 “27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.”

Does your family know that your trust is in the Lord, not money or possessions?

Does your family know that you are committed to obey God at any cost?

Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Romans 12:1 “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Galatians 2:20 “20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Do your actions and attitude show an optimistic trust in God even in the face of death?

6. R - Reconciler

Explain

Reconciliation is the act of making right again.

Abraham’s role to reconcile is showcased in a family feud between Abraham’s and Lot’s shepherds. Both men had flocks and herds. However the pastureland was too small for them to be together. So, in Genesis 13 He surrenders his choice of land to his nephew Lot.

Abraham sought reconciliation.

With Lot his nephew. Because Abraham and lot had herds and flocks the pasture became hotly contested by their herdsmen. Abraham took the first step towards reconciliation.

He initiated Genesis 13:8 “8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.”

Abraham’s servants were fighting over water and pasture. Instead of getting angry and telling his nephew Lot, get out of here. I want this spot. He worked to bring peace in the family again.

God did this for us when he sent Jesus to die for us while we were still in our sins Jesus died for us.

God was not in the wrong at all.

Yet, God took the first step towards humanity in their sinful, rebellious state. Your step is now to call on him to be saved. (Rom 5:8; 10:13) And he will forgive your sins and give you eternal life. (Acts 3:26)

As Dads we must take our God-given responsibility to lead. We should be first to initiate reconciliation when there are family feuds. Whether it is husband and wife or spats between the kids or parents. We need to be leaders for peace.

He yielded Genesis 13:8–9 “8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

Abraham had the right to the first choice. He gave it up for his nephew Lot. His nephew Lot selfishly chose the best for himself.

Christ yielded up his rights when he as the God man came down to earth.

Dad, sometimes in loving your family you may lay aside your rights for your wife or kids sakes. Your family needs to see you seek their best in reconciliation.

He settled Genesis 13:12 “12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.”

Abraham did not argue and barter with Lot to compromise or change his mind. He let Him take all the well watered plain for his flocks and herds. He never came back later and asked either.

When God forgave us in Christ he does not forgive us just a little bit, but cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

As a Dad, your role is to bring reconciliation to your family. Your first priority is to show your children and wife their need for reconciliation with God. This means that you should be

the first to point your family to Christ.

the first to make peace when their is a family quarrel.

the first to lay aside your rights as Jesus did for us.

Abraham also prayed on the behalf of Sodom for Lot’s sake. Genesis 18:16-33

He prayed for Abimelech, the King of Philistia, after the deceived King took Sarah, his 89 year old wife, for himself. He prayed God’s would bless his family with children again because God in judgment had not allowed them to have children.

Genesis 20:7 “7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.”

Genesis 20:17 “17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.”

NOTE: It is so sad today that many rejoice in the murder of the unborn children. It shows how far from the heart and values of God we have strayed as a society and there will be devastating judgment because of this wickedness.

Dad’s be a leader and pray for those who have done you and your family wrong. Matthew 5:44

Apply

As Abraham, Father be first to take the step of reconciliation in your family. Don’t wait for your wife to do it, or your kids. Don’t delay.

You are to be a picture of the Heavenly Father to your children. A child’s view of God is influenced by the example of their father.

God our Father graciously took the first step towards me as a sinful rebel and saved my soul and continues to extend grace and mercy in Christ Jesus towards me every day. Let us walk in holiness and blamelessness as leaders of our family for Jesus’ is worthy.

Don’t let the conflicts in your home become roots of bitterness. Communicate with words and actions. I was wrong and give a hug.

Colossians 3:19 “19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”

As the prodigal’s Father welcomed him home when he realized his sin and confessed it. So as a Dad may our children, wife see a likeness of Abraham and God our Father in us as we seek to reconcile them to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 “20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

Conclusion

Father you have an important job. Your wife and kids need you to have these qualities of a good father.

F - Faith to follow and obey God.

A - Affection towards your family and God.

T - Teacher of God’s ways.

H - Hardy in fulfilling your responsibility to your family.

E - Example of Good to follow for your family.

R - Reconciler of wrongs within your family and those around you.

God has given you an awesome role Dad. We have big shoes to fill. This isn’t a role fulfilled in our own strength. However, our God will give us grace to be the Dad we ought to be as we humbly submit yourself to Him.

Maybe you don’t have a relationship with your heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. If you’d like to know how you can be saved and have peace with God. We will show you how you can be saved.

Dad, ask the Lord to help you in these responsibilities. And thank him for being the best dad.