Unshakeable Fathers

Big Idea

Big Idea: The Unshakeable Father’s Confidence is in God. Today we wish to celebrate, encourage and challenge the The Unshakeable Father’s who depend on an All Powerful God.

Psalm 27:1–13 NKJV

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

Introduction:

There are not many things on this planet that leave an impact liked a Godly father. Fatherhood is something that is desperately needed but rarely celebrated or appreciated to the degree of it’s importance. For Godly father’s make an indelible impact in the lives of their families and community’s. Wherever a godly man dwells the impact is felt for generation. But many never will know the battles that Godly father’s face just to show up day after day.

1. An Unshakeable Father Trusts God Even While Afraid

Psalm 27:1-3

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"

David was both:

warrior and worshiper

Father and fighter

He was very acquainted with the fears of life. The giants, the family betrayal, the feeling of insecurity as he had been betrayed by the king he served and looked to for protection and security. Having to defend his honor against lies and sometimes face his broken and sinfulness with the truth. David carried manythings in his life, while others were depending on him.

He lived a life under immense pressure. He was able to bear this pressure because his confidence wasn’t in himself.

Hermeneutical Bridge

Like David many fathers today carry “pressure”

Many fathers carry:

Financial provision pressure

Familial stability pressure

Health pressures

Legacy Pressures

And I will say that quiet part our loud. Many men are afraid. They are quietly screaming with all sorts of pressure around them. They families are smiling without a care because a Godly man is standing in between them and the pressure.

And while the world suggests that men to hide their fears, David gives a remedy for the pressure.

David teaches men to bring their fears to God.

Psalm 27:1–3 NKJV

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.

Vs. 2. The external pressures come to destroy but they will not succeed. The weapon will form but it won’t prosper. I say to men today “Hold the Line!” Don’t give up! God is your strength! He is your protection! You are not alone!

Supporting Scriptures

Joshua 1:9 NKJV

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Power Principle

Your children don't need a fearless father.

They need a father who will take his fears to God and show them how to depend on him Alone!

II. Unshakeable Father’s are Anchored to an All Powerful God

Psalm 27:4

Psalm 27:4–5 NKJV

4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

Unshakeable Father’s don’t just teach hunting or fishing or sports. Unshakeable fathers don’t just hand down their skills and expertise to their kids. Unshakeable fathers hand down their Faith, Faithfulness and trust in God

Power Principle: Unshakeable Fathers pass down their Faith, Faithfulness and Trust in God

David has many competing priorities. He has the weight of kingdoms and family but his greatest priority is his desire for God and his spiritual growth.

Deep Dive

The phrase "one thing" speaks of singular devotion.

David understood that God's presence was more valuable than God's gifts.

Hermeneutical Bridge

Like David father’s are busy:

Building careers

Paying bills

Coaching sports

Managing responsibilities

Power Principle: We must remember that what we prioritize will teach our children what should matter most to them.

Scripture Support

Matthew  6:33

Deuteronomy 6:5–7 NKJV

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 84:10 NKJV

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Father's Day Challenge

The greatest gift a father can give his family is a genuine walk with God.

III. An Unshakeable Father Prays

Psalm 27:7-9

Psalm 27:7–9 NKJV

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

"Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice..."

David was a king, but he was also a praying man.

Observation

Men often will not show vulnerability to others. But they will show vulnerability before the Lord. David doesn’t have to act like he has every answer.He is seeking God for guidance. To our brother’s today, whether children are young or adult, you will never stop fathering them. Never stop seeking God on their behalf.

Application

Unshakeable Fathers pray.

Unshakeable Fathers repent.

Unshakeable Fathers ask God for help.

Supporting Scriptures

James 5:16 NKJV

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

17 pray without ceasing,

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Power Principle

Power Principle: Your family may forget many of your accomplishments.

They will remember hearing you pray.

4. Unshakeable Fathers Leaves a Legacy of Faith

Psalm 27:13-14

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord..."

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage..."

David finishes by encouraging others with lessons learned from his own journey.

Application

A father's greatest legacy isn't:

Money

Property

Achievements

It is faith passed to the next generation.

Supporting Scriptures

Proverbs 20:7 NKJV

7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

Psalm 78:4–7 NKJV

4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6 That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;

Closing Statement:

"The greatest thing an unshakeable father can leave his children is not the contents of his hand, but the God who is in his heart."

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