Father Day 2008
Introduction
I would like to take a moment to wish every Father here today, Happy Father’s Day. This is a day that has been set aside to honor our Fathers. If your Father is still living you need to tell him you love him and if there is something that has separated you from your father. Use this day to begin building that bridge that will you bring you back together.
My father and I were not on speaking terms for few years and I am truly glad that we reconciled our relationship. My father passed away four years ago and we grow closer and closer as the years passed. I am at peace because my father knew that I love him and there was nothing left unsaid.
Although today is Father’s Day and we are treat him special today. We are to honor him everyday. We are told in scriptures to:
Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. KJV
The one thing that you should note is that there are not condition established for you to honour your father and mother. We are to honour them in spite of them. I am glad I learn that sooner than later. What we must see is that this is not a suggestion but we are told, “…as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee…” This is a commandment from God that we honour our father and mother.
One thing that I have learned since I became a father is that I really did not know how to be a father. I had to learn through trial and error. How I raised my daughter may not work for how you should raise your daughter. We have to learn our children and train or raise them in the way they should go.
However there are that are common for every father. This morning I would like to take a little time to share with you:
What does It Mean to be a Father? We will the relationship between a Father and His Son to answer this question.
We will find their relation in chapter five of the book of John.
First A Father is a Role Model
John 5:16-17
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. KJV
In our scriptures the Jews wanted to persecute Jesus because He healed according to John a certain man that had an infirmity thirty-eight years. They really should have been excited about the blessing that had just taken place; but they were more concern about the fact that it was done on the Sabbath. Why did Jesus work on the Sabbath?
John 5:17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." NIV
I. I Work because my Father Work
Jesus tells us in verse nineteen:
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. NIV
II. Whatever the Father Does the Son Also Does.
Whither we realize it or not our son will do what they see us doing. Jesus said, “…whatever the Father does the Son also does…” If a father does not take care of his obligation as a father chances are his son will follow after him. As we look at our community today, there are many single parent households and it’s because sons are following the examples of their fathers. Their fathers did not take care of their responsibility and now their sons are not taking care theirs.
As Father we must understand we are role models for our Sons and Daughters because most time girls will marry someone like their father.
Secondly A Father is a Teacher
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. KJV
John 5:20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. NIV
Note what Jesus says, “For the Father…sheweth him all things that himself doeth…”
But just before that Jesus says the Father loves the Son. Fathers if we love our Son and Daughters we will take time to teach them some things. A Father shows his son all. Note that word again all he does. We can’t expect them to learn on their own we must take the time to teach them.
Just this weekend as part of my daughter wedding reception, they showed picture of the two of us as she was growing up. I begin to think about teaching her how to swim, ride her bicycle, taking her rolling skating and taking her out for driving lesson. A father must take time with their children to teach them and to teach our son all that we know.
We are the priests of our home. We are told in Deuteronomy six verses five through seven.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. KJV
First we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and our soul and might. But not only love God with all our heart but also keep his command in our heart.
We are to love God and we are to teach our children to love God. The word of God says be diligent about it. We should not take it lightly. I know that we have to work; but our work should not interfere with our duty to teach our children.
Note the when in our diligent.
Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. KJV
Thirdly A Father is an Encourager.
A father should encourage their children to make decision and have confidence in their judgment. When you have been a good role model and have diligently taught them you must then trust them. Note what Jesus says in verse twenty-two
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: KJV
In other words:
John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. KJV
The father has confidence in His Judgment. Why?
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. KJV
Why is Jesus Judgment just and fair, because he seeks the will of the His Father? When we lovingly train and nurture or children they will seek to please us and remember what we have taught them.
We have to encourage our children and at times allow them to make some mistakes. I have always said that mistakes are opportunities to learn. We have all learn for mistakes we have make and our children will learn from theirs.
A Father is a role model, a teacher and an encourager.
Last A Father is a Giver of Life
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; KJV
I. The Father Givers Life by bring Honor to the Family
John 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. KJV
When a father bring honor to the family, the whole family benefits. There are pledges our children receive just because they are our children. Doors are open for them that may have been close because of our reputation and likewise doors may have been closed in their face because of our dishonesty.
We give life when we bring honor to the family.
II. The Father Gives Life by Leading His Family to Jesus.
John 5:24-25
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. KJV
Conclusion
As we continue to celebrate this day, we must understand what it means to be a father. It’s all about our relationship with our children.
As a Father we must serve as a role model for our children and especially our sons. We are to be their teacher and we must encourage our children. We must give them life. Bring honor to your family and lead your family to Christ.
Tell them the good news.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV
Tell them how much God loved them.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. KJV
Tell them of the hope we have in Jesus that even when we have made mistakes and sinned in our life.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
KJV