Three Commitments Every Father Should Make

Three Commitments Every Father Should Make

Job 1:1–5

Job 1:1–5 NLT

1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. 4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. 5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Introduction:

I- COMMIT TO BE A MAN OF CHARACTER. (Job 1:1)

Job 1:1 NLT

1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.

A- Pursue a blameless life.

(Job 1:1 a) He was blameless

(Philippians 2:15)

Philippians 2:15 NLT

15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

(2 Peter 3:14)

2 Peter 3:14 NLT

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

1- Live in a way that makes it impossible to truthfully blame you with anything immoral, or appearing to be so. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

1 Thessalonians 5:22 NLT

22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

a- blameless in word.

* Illustration: "His First lesson" (KMB 209)

His Lesson Joseph had been sent to bed by his mother for using profane language. When his father came home she sent him upstairs to punish the boy. "I'll teach that young fellow to swear," he roared, and started up the stairs. He tripped on the top step and even his wife held her ears for a few moments. "You'd better come down now," she called to him after the air had cleared somewhat, "he's had enough for his first lesson."

—Illinois Farmer Walter B. Knight, Knight's Master Book of New Illustrations, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1956), s.v. “Fathers,” WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

b- blameless in walk. (Luke 1:6)

Luke 1:6 NLT

6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.

* illustration: "daddy, I am walking in your steps" (KMB 210)

"Daddy, I'm A-comin' in Your Steps!" In the other years, in the city of Chicago, it was the custom of a father, enroute to his work in the morning, to go by the saloon for a drink. One morning, as he was tracking his way over the newly-fallen snow, he heard the piping voice of his little boy exclaiming, "Daddy, I'm a-comin' in your steps; daddy I'm a-comin' in your steps!" Looking around, he saw his little boy striding in his footsteps which he had just made and which led in the direction of the saloon. The father cried out, "Oh, God, if my boy is coming in my steps, by Thy help, I'll track them in another direction!"

W. B. K. Walter B. Knight, Knight's Master Book of New Illustrations, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1956), s.v. “Fathers,” WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

B- Follow an upright way of living. (Job 1: 1b)

1- Straightness of living

(Psalm 7:10)

Psalm 7:10 NLT

10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.

(Psalm 18:23)

Psalm 18:23 NLT

23 I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin.

a- No deviations, detours, or shortcuts

* Question:

When the plumb line of God's word is placed beside to your life, how do you look?

C- Hold God in a reverential awe.

(Job 1: 1c)

(Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

1- Having a reverential love for God is important for your children.

a- Your attitude toward God will be adopted by your children.

b- Their attitude toward God will affect them for life and eternity.

D- Be a man who flees from evil.

(Job 1:1 d)

(1 Corinthians 6:18)

1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.

(1 Corinthians 10:14)

1 Corinthians 10:14 NLT

14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.

(1 Timothy 6:11)

1 Timothy 6:11 NLT

11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

(2 Timothy 2:22)

2 Timothy 2:22 NLT

22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

1- Flee from all that is contrary to what the Bible teaches is right.

* examples:

Joseph (Genesis 39:7 – 17)

The 3 Hebrew children (Daniel 1:8; Daniel 3:12 – 17)

II- COMMIT TO BE A MAN WHO PROMOTES FELLOWSHIP IN HIS FAMILY. (Job 1:4)

Job 1:4 NLT

4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.

A- family closeness is taught more than caught.

1- The Scriptures picture for us families who had it, and those who did not.

* did not: Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8)

Genesis 4:8 NLT

8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:28)

Genesis 25:28 NLT

28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

* did: James and John (Matthew 10:2)

Matthew 10:2 NLT

2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother),

Andrew and Simon (John 1:41)

John 1:41 NLT

41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

2- Keys that promote this closeness:

a. A father who models it.

b. A common relationship with Christ.

B- Fathers must follow the example of God the father to build closeness.

1- Take the initiative in establishing and building relationships.

a- God the father did so. (1 John 4:19)

1 John 4:19 NLT

19 We love each other because he loved us first.

2- Offer unconditional love and undeserved grace.

a- example of the father to the prodigal son. (Luke 15)

3- Be available to your family.

a- There is never a time when God is not available to us.(Hebrews 4:16)

Hebrews 4:16 NLT

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

4- Teach the importance of love and fellowship in the family.

(1 John 3:14, 17)

1 John 3:14 NLT

14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.

1 John 3:17 HCSB

17 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?

(1 John 4:20 – 21)

1 John 4:20–21 NLT

20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

III- COMMIT TO BE A MAN WHO MODELS REAL COMMITMENT TO GOD. (Job 1:5)

Job 1:5 NLT

5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

A- Lead your family to grow in Christ.

1- Lead through teaching them.

(Ephesians 6:4)

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

(Proverbs 22:6)

Proverbs 22:6 NLT

6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

(Deuteronomy 4:9 – 10)

Deuteronomy 4:9–10 NLT

9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. 10 Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’

a- In-depth teaching must be done at home. Dad must take the lead.

b- The church cannot take up the slack.

c- Teach your children sound doctrine.

* illustration of how treasury agents are trained to recognize counterfeit currency.

2- Lead them through example.

a- if you are not going to walk the walk, it is useless to talk the talk.

* example of Lot (Genesis 19:14)

Genesis 19:14 NLT

14 So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.

B- Lead your family through intercessory prayer.

1- Praying for your family members is critical.

a- pray for their salvation

b- pray for their Christian growth (Colossians 1:9 – 11)

Colossians 1:9–11 NLT

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,

c- pray for their future families

Conclusion:

* illustration: "His Greatest Sermon" (KMB 2 13 – 214)

Many years ago a farmer had an unusually fine crop of grain. Just a few days before it was ready to harvest, there came a terrible hail and wind storm. The entire crop was demolished. After the storm was over, the farmer, with his little son went out on the porch. The little boy looked at what was formerly the beautiful field of wheat, and then with tears in his eyes he looked up at his dad, expecting to hear words of despair. All at once his father started to sing softly, "Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee." Years after, the little boy, grown to manhood, said, "That was the greatest sermon I ever heard." The farmer lost a grain crop, but who knows but that that was the turning point in the boy's life? He saw the faith of a godly father in practice.

—Sunday School Times Walter B. Knight, Knight's Master Book of New Illustrations, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1956), s.v. “Fathers,” WORDsearch CROSS e-book.