A Father’s Heart

Father’s Day Sermon

PPHC – June 18, 2006

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.  2 Cor. 6:17-18

“Dad, you have more in common with God than you may think. It is God’s desire that you mirror Him to your family, and especially to your children. With that aspect in mind, I want to take a look at Fatherhood today and relate to you how God views you, Dad, and examine the vital role that you have been given by God.”

The Father:

I. Is the Provenance (Beginning) of Our Very Existence

 A. We Obtained Physical Life from Our Natural Father  (it’s natural for a young man to want a family)

  1. He is the reason of our very existence; we receive our very life from him.

  2. Our dads are unique individuals; and we get much of our uniqueness from him.

   a. He imparts his own nature to us, and we to our children.

   b. Eyes, facial features (J.L. Smith / g’son Ethan), our build (Eddie J. /Haley). (The likeness: Kirk Douglas and his son, Michael)

   c. Sometimes we are said to possess the same grit, tenacity, or.... “spirit” as our fathers.

·          Craig Isgett - Hard worker (Wendell coming along in that same mold as dad).

 B. We Obtain Our Spiritual Life from our Heavenly Father

  1. Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ...

   a. Illustration: Jimmy Marsh “lifed” a dead man; breathed his life into him (spiritual contrast)

  2. He imparts His features into us, as well - He impresses His image into us (impress a quarter

into modeling clay).

   a. The new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

Col.3:10 (anakaino – a continual renewal, according to the std. Of the Divine Being)

  4. A   new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezek. 36:26

II. Supplies for the Needs of His Children

 A. Natural fathers supply for the infant. (Infant -totally dependent on others)

·         Illustration: A rich man once asked a friend, “Why am I criticized for being miserly” when everyone knows I will leave everything to charity when I die?”

“Well,” said the friend, “let me tell you about the pig and the cow. The pig was lamenting

to the cow one day about how unpopular he was. “People are always talking about your

gentleness and your kind eyes,” said the pig. “Sure you give milk and cream, but I give

more. I give bacon, ham, & bristles. They even pickle my feet! Still, nobody likes me.

Why is this?”

The cow thought a moment, then replied, “Well, maybe it’s because I give while I’m still

living.”

  1. A loving father does not allow his children to lack any good thing that he is able to supply.

B. Our Heavenly Father supplies all of His children’s need

  1. He spread before them a “table in the wilderness - bread (morning) & meat (evening)

  2. He provides the manna and the meat for His children. [The basic needs]

   a. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches…” Phil. 4:19

  3. He provides the milk & honey along life’s journey. [The good things]

   a. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give (nathan – “appoint”) thee the desires of thine heart.” Ps. 37:4

  4. He clothes them with the best robe, the garment of joy and salvation - Is. 61:10

  5. He provides for their sickness; removes their infirmities - Surely he hath borne our griefs,

Is. 53:4

III. Provides Them With a Suitable Home

 A. Our natural fathers provide a place where we can meet with our families, exchange ideas,

& converse with one another.

  1. The touching story of the prodigal son and the father that reached out to his hurting son.

 B. Our Heavenly Father has provided for the Christian;

  1. For the present; The Body of Christ, meet together, (we strengthen one another with words, with our presence), a place to find rest.

  2. For the future;  I Cor. 2:9 Eye   hath   not   seen , nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God  hath  prepared for them that love him.

   a. Heb. 11:16  for He hath prepared for them a city

   b. Jasper walls; streets of pure gold; foundations of precious stones; gates of pearl; The New

Jerusalem Power and Light Company takes care of the lighting so that there is no light bill

to be paid.

V. Provides for His Children’s Future

 A. A Father usually leaves a will and testament, usually with his estate going to his children.

 B. The Heavenly Father has given:

  1. At the present; the glorious riches of His grace (Salvation for the believer - Eph. 2:8).

  2. In the future; the unfading glories and riches of eternity.

   a. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through nor steal  - Matt. 6:20

• Illustration: Your Future has been taken care of…Dad and son went out to sea. His son invited a friend to go along. A storm came up and the boat capsized. Neither boy had a life preserver on. The dad knew that he would only be able to save one boy. What would he do? In an instant, he swam to his son’s friend pulling him back to the safety of the boat. As he turned to go back to his son, he saw him succumb to the depths and in a moment was lost from sight. Why didn’t he save his own Son? He knew with a settled resolve that if his son lost his life, he would see him again because he had already sat down with his son and talked about the future and his son had accepted Christ as his Lord. However, he was uncertain of his son’s friend. He allowed his son to die so that he might save his friend. [God allowed His Son to die so that he might save his friend.]

·         Dad, have you provided for your children today. The best way to provide starts with YOU. Do you know Christ as your Savior?