FATHER’S DAY 2026

A GODLY LEGACY

Fatherhood – dictionary.com defines it as gender specific state of being a parent.  At least in this day and age we at least get the gender specific part in there.  Surprisingly though I found a more Christian and true definition of fatherhood form The Urban Dictionary.  It defines fatherhood as the male parent.  One who loves, supports, inspires, and encourages his children.  A Strong character who teaches by example, one who is patient, kind, understanding and is emulated and admired.

Being a Godly Man, a Godly Father is not by accident.

From the movie Courageous – I now believe that God desires for every father to courageously step up and do whatever it takes to be involved in the lives of his children. But more than just being there or providing for them, he’s to walk with them through their lives and be a visual representation of the character of God, their father in heaven.

A father should love his children and seek to win their hearts. He should protect them, discipline them and teach them about God. He should model how to walk with integrity and treat others with respect and should call out his children to become responsible men and women who live their lives for what matters in eternity.

Some men will hear this and mock it or ignore it. But I tell you that as a father, you are accountable to God for the position of influence he has given you.

You can’t fall asleep at the wheel only to wake up one day and realize that your job or your hobbies have no eternal value but the souls of your children do.

Some men will hear this and agree with it but have no resolve to live it out.

Instead, they will live for themselves and waste the opportunity to leave a godly legacy for the next generation.

So how do we, as husbands, fathers, men – live a godly life and leave a godly legacy?

From this we get 3 points for Fathers and then 2 for our children, whether biological, adopted or community-based children.

Let Us Pray

1. Godly Fathers Love –

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

God as our Father – set the example for us

Psalm 103:13 – As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

If we have a relationship with God, we should strive to live out that relationship as God loves us, has compassion on us, so should we have the same love and compassion on our kids

Colossians 3:21 – Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Do not provoke you children to anger – do not do things that you know will purposefully get them mad – this does not include discipline – no one likes discipline when it happens - we will get there.  It is also a call to restrain our own anger, hostility or any other negative emotional release and that would cause our children to not want to please us

2. Godly Fathers Discipline –

Proverbs 3:12 – for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

God loves us – so He disciplines us –

Hebrews 12:7 – It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

It is through discipline that we learn, we grow and have the ability to endure whatever the world throws at us – discipline prepare us for that

Hebrews 12:9-11 – Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 13:24 – Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Proverbs 19:18 – Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

If you don’t discipline your child – you are setting them up for death – one commentary says this means to desire their death if you choose not to discipline you are setting them up for failure

Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

When you love – you discipline – you want your children to be better than you and not struggle with what you struggled with.  They are young and impressionable so being thoughtless or not in control of their words, emotions and actions could plant the seed of resentment, anger or bitterness. Those can cause our children to lose the desire to please their parents. It also causes resistance to the follow-up statement, but fathers bring up in discipline and instruction of the Lord.

To be a godly father we must lead by example. Our lives, our words, our actions; the way we treat people and how we conduct business must be led by the Holy Spirit and we must live out our faith and our relationship.  When our children see us repent and ask for forgiveness, even from them, it displays the discipline of the Lord. It is humbling for a father to ask their son or daughter for forgiveness when they mess up. We can't just assume they forgive because they love us, we must display the very actions and attributes we want them to have. The instruction of the Lord includes prayer and meditation, do they see these disciplines in your life? His instruction includes forgiveness and loving our enemies, how have your children witnessed this? The Lord's instructions state Love God, Love others; is there visible evidence of this in your life so that you can bring and instruct them in Lord? It's caught not taught - walk and words match - actions speak louder than words; however you have heard it, it is true. If we want them to walk with the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit they have to see how that looks in our life.

3. Godly Fathers Lead By Example

God Led by example –

2 Corinthians 5:21 – For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

God showed He would do anything for His children – to be reunited with Him

We are called to follow His example and lead by example

Joshua 24:15 – And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

As for me and my house – WE will serve the Lord – and in order to know how to serve the Lord, we must led by example

Here is a compare and contrast as to what we should and should not do.  We need to be in the front leading by example and not sitting there telling them what to do.  There is truth in the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”

As husbands, as fathers we need to be leaders and not bosses – lead by example – they are always watching –

In 2006 Rodney Atkins released a song watching you – it starts with him having to slam on his brakes and his son’s lunch spills and his son says a four letter word – where did you learn to talk like that the son responds He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are We got cowboy boots and camo pants Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad I wanna do everything you do So I've been watching you

Then that night when its time to go to bed his son crawls out of bed, folds his hands and He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

His son responds the same I’m wanna do everything you do so I’ve been watching you.

Titus 2:2, 7-8 – Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

As fathers, as husbands, as adult sons we are called to live out Titus 2:2 and Titus 2:7-8

Deuteronomy 6:5 – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

When you live this out – it shows through in your words and actions and is easy to imitate

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

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 – 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Psalm 101:2-3 – I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh, when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

As husbands and as father we are called to not only discipline and lead but to protect – not set our eyes or hearts on anything that is worthless and we prevent worthless things from coming into our homes, our families

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

What do you do with that charge?  Do you internalize or ignore it?

Psalm 127:3-5 – Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

When you as the Father – do all this – this is the legacy you leave – I am the man I am today because of my dad, my jaju, and my papa.  They laid the groundwork and I did not depart but allowed the Holy Spirit to continue build on the foundation he laid through them – because they were godly men, godly fathers.

4. Godly Children Receive Discipline from a Godly Father

Proverbs 15:5 – A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Don’t be a fool, ignorant – but listen to follow your dad’s disciple

Proverbs 3:11 – My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,

Hebrews 12:11 – For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Deuteronomy 8:5 – Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.

Hebrews 12:5-6 – And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

5. Godly Children Follow the Example of a Godly Father

Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Proverbs 23:22-23 – Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Ephesians 6:1-4 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 – Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

3 John 1:4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Godly Men are called to love, discipline and lead by example

Joshua 24:15 – As for me and my house – WE will serve the Lord – in the movie Courageous - Adam Mitchell says it this way –

In my home, the decision has already been made. You don’t have to ask who will guide my family, because by God’s grace, I will. You don’t have to ask who will teach my son to follow Christ, because l will. Who will accept the responsibility of providing and protecting my family? I will. Who will ask God to break the chain of destructive patterns in my family’s history? I will. Who will pray for and bless my children to boldly pursue whatever God calls them to do? I am their father. l will.

Will you?  No matter you age, it is never to late to start –

Brief Closing Idea

Being a godly father is not about perfection—it is about direction. A godly father loves like God loves, disciplines with wisdom and grace, and leads by example so that others can follow him as he follows Christ. The greatest legacy a man can leave is not wealth, success, or accomplishments, but a family that knows, loves, and serves the Lord. Long after possessions are forgotten and achievements fade, the spiritual influence of a godly father continues for generations. The question is not whether you will leave a legacy—you will. The question is: What kind of legacy will it be?

Final Summary

Godly fathers love their children with compassion, patience, and sacrificial care, reflecting the love of God the Father.

Godly fathers discipline their children because discipline is an expression of love and a tool for growth and maturity.

Godly fathers lead by example, understanding that children learn more from what they see than from what they hear.

A father's words, actions, and character shape future generations, creating either a godly legacy or a destructive pattern.

Children are called to receive instruction and discipline, recognizing that loving correction is for their good.

Godly wives and children honor and follow godly leadership, creating a home centered on Christ and His truth.

The greatest responsibility of a father is spiritual leadership, teaching his family to know, love, and follow God.

Children are a gift and heritage from the Lord, entrusted to parents for a season and shaped for eternity.

The example of Christ is the model for every father, demonstrating love, sacrifice, servant leadership, and faithfulness.

The call of every godly man is clear: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Final Challenge

Fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and spiritual mentors: Will you courageously accept the responsibility God has given you? Will you love, discipline, lead, protect, teach, pray, and model Christ for those entrusted to your care? It is never too late to begin building a godly legacy that points the next generation to Jesus Christ.

Let Us Pray!