FATHERHOOD

INTRODUCTION

Mother’s Day has to be one of the most celebrated days in the world.

Yaani for the time I lived in America, Mother’s Day was that one day if you have not booked a restaurant a month in advance you are not getting anything.

Every restaurant would be packed, every hotel, every luxury limousine, flowers have been completely sold out. Millions and millions of dollars would be used to celebrate mothers and deservedly so.

Our mothers have sacrificed, blood sweat and tears in raising us up and there is not a person under the sound of my voice who wouldn’t have something to say about what their mothers have done for them.

But today Deliverance Church if you would indulge me a little bit i want to with todays bible study celebrate our fathers.

Father’s day comes and goes and no one even seems to notice. So today I want to celebrate both physical Fathers and spiritual Fathers, and here I am talking about functional Fathers and functional Fatherhood.

Fatherhood is in serious decline in our years, due to the divorce rates and just a general irresponsibility from modern men.

Fatherhood is in serious decline in our years, due to the divorce rates and just a general irresponsibility from modern men, fatherhood has fallen into hard times, but can I tell you that if you want to measure the health of a community, the health of a family or society look at the fatherhood in that family or society

fatherhood has fallen into hard times, but can I tell you that if you want to measure the health of a community,

Fatherhood is in serious decline in our years, due to the divorce rates and just a general irresponsibility from modern men, fatherhood has fallen into hard times, but can I tell you that if you want to measure the health of a community, the health of a family or society look at the fatherhood in that family or society

the health of a family or society look at the fatherhood in that family or society

ILLUSTRATION.

about the single mum in America and her wayward boy.

ILLUSTRATION- STATISTICS ON FATHERLESS HOMES/COMMUNITIES

let me show some statistics that might shock you.

let me show some statistics that might shock you. Like i said on Wednesday Kenya doesn’t yet collect these kind of statistics, so these are from America.

Like i said on Wednesday Kenya doesn’t yet collect these kind of statistics, so these are from America.

ILLUSTRATION

You see when you enter a home you see paintings and maybe the TV hung on the wall, flowers hanging and the light bulbs hanging from the roof and carpets on the floor.

You know the one thing we haven’t noticed is that all those decorations and beautification depend on the foundation of that house,

without that foundation there are no walls, There is no roof and nothing to hang your flowers, TV or even bulbs.

Fathers are that foundation and everything else we see is dependent on that foundation.

Without Fathers as you can see with the statistics there is mass destruction happening on those homes and if the homes are a reflection of that society

then you can imagine that we are seeing the collapse of that society, but for the grace of God.

So today as we look at Fathers there are so many things I can share about Fathers and Fatherhood but for the sake of time I will share just three things I have observed about good fathers.

LET ME START BY GIVING 3 POINTS ABOUT WHAT FATHERS ARE NOT.

Fathers are not just titles-

especially na sisi Pentecostals there are these movements that have come in where some people are ascribing to fatherhood with fantastic titles.

The most right reverend apostle of the mountain of fire ministries,

The prophet to the nations, MD, PhD, LLB, MTV, NTV, CNN, KBC, Initials AKALA, AVUNJA.

A father is not titles, he is a repository, a storehouse of the anointing of God of heaven, borne out of the fires of affliction and tests

who by the constant use of his senses has trained to discern good and evil.

Secondly Fathers do not see their sons and daughters as disposable assets.

Many a son or daughter that I have met who has been severely hurt has come from a relationship with a father where they were seen as units of production.

Maybe out of a distorted view of ministry or life that father had used his sons and daughters.

Some of those hurts that I have seen shape the mind and hearts of those sons and daughters. Some of them carry that pain for a lifetime.

3 thirdly Fathers and especially spiritual Fathers are not fly by nights- they are not microwaved and suddenly they appear. They are not manufactured overnight. It takes years of their own seasoning to establish integrity and authentic life transformation. They have been through intense sifting and the trying of their faith. Yaani nowadays you hear of a father, the brother is 17 years and he is already baba!!! He hasn’t even yet finished eating cerelac na ametoka ma diapers hivi majuzi and he is already a father, wanting the priviledge and honors that accrue to that office. That is not a father that is a wannabe. And those kind of men will fascinate you then assasinate you. They will thrill you and then kill you. Those aren’t fathers. When a Father comes into a place his presence alone will alert you that there is a Father in the house.

Thirdly Fathers and especially spiritual Fathers are not fly by nights-

they are not microwaved and suddenly they appear. They are not manufactured overnight.

It takes years of their own seasoning to establish integrity and authentic life transformation.

They have been through intense sifting and the trying of their faith.

Yaani nowadays you hear of a father, the brother is 17 years and he is already baba!!! He hasn’t even yet finished eating cerelac na ametoka ma diapers hivi majuzi and he is already a father,

Yaani nowadays you hear of a father, the brother is 17 years and he is already baba!!! He hasn’t even yet finished eating cerelac na ametoka ma diapers hivi majuzi and he is already a father,

wanting the privilege and honors that accrue to that office.

wanting the privilege and honors that accrue to that office.

That is not a father that is a wannabe.

And those kind of men will fascinate you then assasinate you.

They will thrill you and then kill you. Those aren’t fathers.

When a Father comes into a place his presence alone will alert you that there is a Father in the house.

SO WHO ARE FATHERS AND WHAT DO THEY DO

A) FATHERS MODEL OUT LIFE AND MINISTRY

We have all heard the saying that somethings are caught and not taught. That is modeling.

We have all heard the saying that somethings are caught and not taught. That is modeling. That is they play a role and we watch how that role and learn to emulate it. Modeling is a combination of Instruction, discipline and opportunities. There is an apprenticeship going on. You see the Jewish Kings as they grew older ruled together with the son who would inherit the throne. The son would get to see how his father ruled, how he passed on judgment, how he communicated with his counsel, how they planned war etc. and progressively the Father would draw back and let his son make a few decisions here and there see how he would handle things. Sometimes the son would experience failure, because there is no modeling without failure. But together with instruction, discipline and opportunities the Father would model to his son. A father models praise God.

That is they play a role and we watch how that role and learn to emulate it.

Modeling is a combination of Instruction, discipline and opportunities.

There is an apprenticeship going on.

You see how the indians do it. you go to their shops and the son and daughter are there assisting the dad. they help at the counter

they take inventory, help with accounts, check on the workers. they are doing what they see their Father doing.

and the father provides instruction, he disciplines. they have to be there early in the morning before any of the workers are there to check and make sure everything is ok

and they are provided with opportunities in decision making and the running of the business. A father models praise God.

ILLUSTRATION

A concern i have with our younger generations is that we sometimes feel we don’t need our Fathers.

We have so much information that we mistake information for formation, we mistake expertise for experience.

We have so much information that we mistake information for formation, we mistake expertise for experience.

Just because we are so savvy on our electronics and we have so much information on our fingertips-We feel we know more than our Fathers.

Just because we are so savvy on our electronics and we have so much information on our fingertips- our expertise is not experience. We may know how to fire a gun but when to fire that gun- now that is something different, we may know how to shoot an arrow, but when to shoot that arrow takes experience, and so many times we are educated beyond obedience.

our expertise is not experience. We may know how to fire a gun but when to fire that gun- now that is something different,

we may know how to shoot an arrow, but when to shoot that arrow takes experience, and so many times we are educated beyond obedience.

ILLUSTRATION

ILLUSTRATION

You know a long time ago when there was KBS we sometimes didn’t wait for the bus stop to get off the bus, we did “ westerns”. Now someone looking at you doing a western would think its an easy thing, but its not there is how to do the western, when to do it and there is technique to it. So I remember one time in this KBS a Masai who was a passenger was looking at all these Vijana’s doing westerns wanashuka. Yaani so he decided even him he would not wait for his bus stop and he went to the driver- Natalia kushuka. Now at that time the bus was going down valley road, where CITAM is. That downhill, driver told him shuka Kama Unataka. So the Masai took his threat and went to the back of the bus...shukisha mimi saa hii. The bus is going downhill at a tremendous speed. Yaani Masai aka tie mashuka Zake vizuri.....aka shika rungu yake vizuri na akaruka..bila plan... woiee Yaani we just saw......Yaani there is a way to do it and there is a when to do it.....

You know a long time ago when there was KBS we sometimes didn’t wait for the bus stop to get off the bus, we did “ westerns”.

Now someone looking at you doing a western would think its an easy thing, but its not

there is how to do the western, when to do it and there is technique to it.

So I remember one time in this KBS a Masai who was a passenger was looking at all these Vijana’s doing westerns wanashuka.

Yaani so he decided even him he would not wait for his bus stop and he went to the driver- Natalia kushuka.

Now at that time the bus was going down valley road, where CITAM is. That downhill, driver told him shuka Kama Unataka. So the Masai took his threat and went to the back of the bus...shukisha mimi saa hii. The bus is going downhill at a tremendous speed. Yaani Masai aka tie mashuka Zake vizuri.....aka shika rungu yake vizuri na akaruka..bila plan... woiee Yaani we just saw.

Yaani there is a way to do it and there is a when to do it.....

And that is what Fathers model—- they tell us Hapa the bus is traveling at a great speed, so just hold on, then when it slows down there at the community traffic light then you can angle yourself and then drop and land on one leg and run for a little bit— Praise God, watch me.....they model it ,

And a Father does that by modeling it- provide instruction, discipline and opportunities.

B) FATHERS FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS

They provide a safe environment for growth. in this environment there is a combination of toughness and tenderness.

He provides time to his sons and daughters for fellowship.

The sons and daughters never feel like they have to fight or compete for his affections. They have equal access to the Father’s heart.

He provides time to his sons and daughters for fellowship. The sons and daughters never feel like they have to fight or compete for his affections. They have equal access to the Father’s heart.

ILLUSTRATION

That was the issue with the sons of Jacob- Jacob did not give them equal access to his heart- everyone in the family knew that Joseph was the favorite and then followed by Benjamin. And this produced enmity in the family.

That was the issue with the sons of Jacob- Jacob did not give them equal access to his heart- everyone in the family knew that Joseph was the favorite and then followed by Benjamin. And this produced enmity in the family.

ILLUSTRATION

The reason for Absalom’s hatred for his Father David is because he had to fight for his Father’s attention

and the father had a professional relationship with him.

and the father had a professional relationship with him. One where he smiled from afar but kept an emotional distance. This fostered a resentment in Absalom.

One where he smiled from afar but kept an emotional distance.

This fostered a resentment in Absalom.

But functional Fathers foster healthy relationships - The son finds that he serves the ministry and the father not out of fear but out of love.

you see the best picture of God the Father comes out of Fathers who foster healthy relationships. it is very hard for sons and daughters to see a spiritual God of love when all they have experienced is a physical Father of hate.

ILLUSTRATION

When i was in majuu- I remember Bishop would come and i would go pick him up sometimes in my little Toyota Corolla and we would fellowship the whole day. I learned more in those few days about life and ministry then in the classes i took at bible school. Because as we fellowshiped there was also impartation happening, there was also affirmation happening. I remember one time I was going through a very tough time in my life and he told me Michael, go through this test, if the Lord wanted to kill you he would have done so by now. Since he is not the one killing you, you have to man up and go through this time. You know something about those words gave me the strength to push on and i came out on the other side.

When i was in majuu- I remember Bishop would come and i would go pick him up sometimes in my little Toyota Corolla and we would fellowship the whole day.

I learned more in those few days about life and ministry then in the classes i took at bible school.

Because as we fellowshipped there was also impartation happening, there was also affirmation happening.

I remember one time I was going through a very tough time in my life and he told me Michael, go through this test.

if the Lord wanted to kill you he would have done so by now. Since he is not the one killing you, you have to man up and go through this time. You know something about those words gave me the strength to push on and i came out on the other side.

Another time i was in a very divisive situation and i was trying to be the middle man, the arbitrator, trying to mediate a situation and i just couldn’t reconcile the warring parties. I had done everything i knew how to resolve the situation but I wasn’t. At about that time Dad came to visit Houston and i talked to him about the situation and he told me-

ILLUSTRATION

Another time i was in a very divisive situation and i was trying to be the middle man, the arbitrator, trying to mediate a situation and i just couldn’t reconcile the warring parties. I had done everything i knew how to resolve the situation but I wasn’t. At about that time Dad came to visit Houston and i talked to him about the situation and he told me.

Michael pale shida iko- let me tell you sometimes ukikanyaga mavii na mguu mmoja you need to step that same mavii with the second leg to come out- in this situation you’re stepping cautiously with one leg and that one leg iko Kwa mavii- Yaani to come out you have to step in with both legs....and brothers and sisters nilikanyaga na Miguu zote mbili and i am here to give the testimony so you can see i survived.

That came out of a relationship I have with Dad- because as a Father he fosters relationships praise God.

FATHERS MODEL LIFE AND MINISTRY

FATHERS FOSTER HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

LASTLY

C) FATHERS PASS ON LEGACY

if the father is a dysfunctional father he will pass on a Dysfunctional legacy , if he is a functional Father he will pass on a functional legacy. But Fathers pass on a legacy regardless.

ILLUSTRATION

Who remembers who this might be. There are called the kapenguria 6, joined by Daniel Arap Moi,

the kapenguria were 6 leading Kenyan nationalists who fought for the freedom of Kenya and were tried at kapenguria and sentenced to 7 years in prison.

There is Bildad Kaggia, Paul Ngei, Daniel Moi, Kenyatta, Achieng Oneko, Kungu Karumba, Fred Kubai.

The Freedom we enjoy as a nation is the legacy these national fathers passed on to us.

However the problems we also face as a country is because of some of the issues they refused to confront as Fathers.

However the problems we also face as a country is because of some of the issues they refused to confront as Fathers.

The strength of Fathers is such that both positive and negative legacies can affect generations and generations.

The strength of Fathers is such that both positive and negative legacies can affect generations and generations.

ILLUSTRATION

Eli refused to discipline his sons Hophni and Phinehas for the disregard they had for the Lord’s temple and sacrifices and

the legacy he passed onto them and the rest of his family was death.

God told him, no one in your family will ever grow to be old, they will die in their youth.

Abraham obeyed God and the legacy he passed onto Isaac and the rest of his family was one of blessing and honor.

Abraham obeyed God and the legacy he passed onto Isaac and the rest of his family was one of blessing and honor.

You see Functional Fathers pass on what they have fought for and succeeded. The sons actually start from a very advantaged position. David provided most of the materials for the temple that Solomon built. Therefore Solomon started off at a priviledged position.

You see Functional Fathers pass on what they have fought for and succeeded.

The sons actually start from a very advantaged position.

David provided most of the materials for the temple that Solomon built. Therefore Solomon started off at a privileged position.

Paul set up the churches and then passed on the pastorate to Titus and Timothy to pastor them. Fathers pass on their victories to their sons and daughters.

Paul set up the churches and then passed on the pastorate to Titus and Timothy to pastor them.

Fathers pass on their victories to their sons and daughters.

Some of the legacies that Fathers pass on

The right direction listen to Paul telling - as i have instructed you, instruct others- they tell us that Christianity is always one generation away from extinction, but it has always progressed because Faithful Fathers found faithful sons and instructed and admonished them in the ways of the Lord. And these sons in turn became fathers who found faithful sons and repeated the process. Fathers provide direction in their legacy.

They point sons in the right direction

listen to Paul telling - as I have instructed you, instruct others

they tell us that Christianity is always one generation away from extinction

they tell us that Christianity is always one generation away from extinction, but it has always progressed because Faithful Fathers found faithful sons and instructed and admonished them in the ways of the Lord. And these sons in turn became fathers who found faithful sons and repeated the process. Fathers provide direction in their legacy.

but it has always progressed because Faithful Fathers found faithful sons and instructed and admonished them in the ways of the Lord.

And these sons in turn became fathers who found faithful sons and repeated the process. Fathers provide direction in their legacy.

True Fathers impart their legacy- ;

Last one True Fathers and this one is spiritual Fathers- True spiritual Fathers do not pass on their names and achievements- True spiritual Fathers pass on Jesus Christ.

If i may say this Deliverance Church, dad has worked so hard to have this building set and complete but i know that the reason for this building is Jesus Christ,

so that the gospel of Jesus Christ may resound from here to the ends of Kenya and abroad.

It is not just so that he can say we have a beautiful building, but so that the building may be a reflection of the gospel that is being preached here.

It is not just so that he can say we have a beautiful building, but so that the building may be a reflection of the gospel that is being preached here.

If we as sons grow up to be fathers and all we do is pass onto our sons cars and buildings and money and land and we do not pass on Jesus Christ we will have raised our sons to be like the rich young ruler- he went away sad because he had great possessions and the master looked and said how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

If we as sons grow up to be fathers and all we do is pass onto our sons cars and buildings and money and land and we do not pass on Jesus Christ

we will have raised our sons to be like the rich young ruler- he went away sad because he had great possessions

and the LORD looked and said how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

ILLUSTRATION

BIlly Graham was voted the most popular American year in year out and one day a news reporter asked him Billy Graham why don’t you run for the presidency. You have been voted the most popular American every year. and billy graham asked the news reporter why should i accept a demotion? I serve the king of kings why should i then demote myself to become the president of the nation.

That is the legacy true Spiritual Fathers pass- the gospel of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION

If you are a son or a daughter in the kingdom listen to me

let us esteem our fathers, lets seek them out and apply ourselves to learning all we can while we still have them.

They have a deposit, a repository, a storehouse that we can lose if we don’t take advantage of it.

They have a deposit, a repository, a storehouse that we can lose if we don’t take advantage of it.

I for one have a father who I intend to pursue, spend time and I know i will be better for it, just for what I have received so far from him

I for one have a father who I intend to pursue, spend time and I know i will be better for it, just for what I have received so far from him......Dad thank you for being such an example for me....you’ve been such a blessing in my life and i am eternally grateful.

ASK ALL THE FATHERS TO STAND AND HAVE THE CHURCH STAND AND GIVE THANKS FOR THEM. ASK DAD TO PRAY!