A Father's Last Words

Passage- 1 Kings 2:1-3

Title-

Passage- 1 Kings 2:1-3

Attention- Maelyn and getting up from a chair grunting

Introduction

Especially when they are young children learn sooooo much through observation

What we do, what we say, how we act, our mannerisms

We were visiting my dad yesterday and one of his friends was there and mentioned a few similarities between my dad and I

Where did those come from? Watching my father

This is why YouTube has replace any owners manual or fix it manual because why read about it when we can see an example....

What is the main driving point (CPS)?

Friends, there is nothing more lacking in our families today than dad’s who are godly leaders and examples

Why does the CPS matter, what is the consequence?

This is how children learn, they learn from example and by instruction...

If we don’t lead them, who will?

Transition

I. We have a limited time of influence (1)

Explain

David is nearing death, and he knows it

There is the reality in David’s life that soon Solomon will be without his father’s influence

David’s time of influence in Solomon’s life was running out

Here we read about David and his son Solomon

Our influence is not just on our sons like we read here

It is with our daughters

Grandchildren

Children in our neighborhoods

Children within the church

Bridge to today

We live in a culture where it is acceptable for dad’s to be absent from the picture

Biblically speaking, this is not the way that God intended the family to look

God, from until now intended for the family to be structured around one man and one woman in a committed relationship to one another for a lifetime.

Relevance

Our culture not only needs men to be influencers in their own families but we need men who are willing to be influencers in the lives of any child the Lord puts into their lives

Why does this matter?

CHildren need instruction about how to live life

They need boundaries

They need someone in their lives to act like a parent and guide them and instruct them in how life works.

This happens from a young age in…potty training, sleep training, manners, work ethic, how to drive, and all the other functions of life that they do not know.

There are areas that need a dad’s perspective, or a dad’s touch, or a dad’s wisdom

Mom’s play an important role with children but not to the exclusion of dads

Transition

Now, it isnt just that dad’s are to be influencers but secondly....

II. How are we to be influencing our children? (2)

Explain

Because though we have a limited amount of time we need to use our time effectively.

Here David is giving a challenge to his son...

Fathers are equally responsible for their daughters. grandchildren, etc...

What are they to be learning from us

1- 2a- “Keep the charge of the Lord your God”

We need to be teaching the importance of guarding our relationship with the Lord

They need to understand the truths of

Proverbs 4:23 KJV 1900

Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

There is to be NO relationship that comes before the Lord

Whether a parent/child, husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend

They need to understand that the Lord needs to be first priority

In the same way that the ancient cities put first priority on their walls and gates…we need to put the Lord as our first priority

2- They need to be taught, and taught by example, to walk with the Lord

This is not just Bible reading

This is not just church attendance

These are important but our children should see more

They should see us:

Step out in faith

Call out in prayer

Rejoice in answered prayer

Be restored after we fail

This type of authenticity will display what a walk with the Lord id

To know the Lord and keep His Word

Keep his statutes and commands, this is saying that we are to keep the specifics of what the Bible teaches

They are specific instructions…do not kill, do not covet, prohibitions against idolitry

To keep His judgments and testimonies would to be observing the precepts that the Word of God teaches.

Avoid all appearance of evil…a bit more of a vague command but applicable to many areas of life

The deacon and pastor are to be blameless…the umbrella term for living a godly life.

Bridge to today

Once again, these are the kinds of examples that are needed in this culture

We need more than just examples, we need Godly examples

Men that base their lives on the Word of God and strive with all that is within them to live out those principles

Relevance

We have begun to see the consequences of not taking the role of Dad’s serious enough

There are many issues in our society that a least are partially to blame because of the lack of fathers and especially godly fathers.

Why does this matter?

We need a generation that will take this matter of fatherhood seriously.

III. ( )

Explain

That we wouldn’t abdicate our role to the mom’s or the school, the parks and rec. department, or even the church

Bridge to today

Relevance

That we would understand the importance of the role of fathers in the lives of children

Why does this matter?

Conclusion

We have a generation looking for guidance and wisdom.

We need a generation that will come alongside them and guide them, lead them, point them to Christ

Review of the Principles and the Sermon Proposition

Challenge to act now (your part)…immanence

I would challenge you to look at your own family, your own neighborhood, within this church…is there a younger person that you could be an example to?

Then step out in faith and allow the Lord to use you in the lives of those you can influence

Visualize Audience Implementation

Final Statement

We need dad’s but what we are really missing is godly dad’s

Would you bow your heads and close your eyes with me?

Closing Hymn

366 Have Thine Own Way