Father's Day Sermon- Hard Work Pays Off in the Long Run

Much like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day has tended to be a very controversial topic of whether it has a place for recognition in Churches- and many people feel it is more of a Pagan holiday.

There are two stories, which tell the origin of Father’s Day. The first story involved how Grace Golden Clayton of West Virginia suggested to her Pastor that the Church honor Father- following a mining disaster which resulted in the death of 362 men and left over 1000 women and children without alone. The other story, which is officially recognized in the United States as the true origin of Father’s Day, involved Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington being inspired after listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day in 1909. Ms. Dodd, inspired by the sermon, which was focused on recognizing Godly characteristics of a mother, could not resist an inner call to also recognize the Godly attributes of Fathers. Ms. Dodd, one of six children who was raised by a widower Father, began promoting Father’s Day in local Churches to solicit support for her idea. With the main support of local Spokane area Churches, Ms. Dodd then began an effort to create a similar holiday. On June 19, 1920, the state of Washington created its first Father’s Day celebration, which culminated 58 years later- with - President Richard Nixon- adopting the day into a national holiday in 1972. Today, Father’s Day is a huge revenue generator- over $1 billion each year on gifts- but the important fact is that like Mother’s Day- the idea for Father’s Day began in Church.

Now, I have to admit to each of you that I did not have any semblance of an earthly Father of what Greg read in his poem. My biological father disappeared when I was a young child, my step-fathers were alcoholics who often treated us boys like we were their personal servants and were extremely abusive- both physically and verbally. Additionally, through the roughly three years, I was bouncing from Foster Home to Foster Home, I never had that one Father figure, who was my strong foundation through life’s tough times. I never had that earthly Father, who provided me encouragement, guided me through life, helped me solve my problems. The Father I always turned to since I was a little boy was always God. I interacted and knew God the way many may have a conception of what an earthly Father should be. I knew God as my Father, who loves me unconditionally, looking after my best interests and continuously encouraging and coaching me through life.

This morning, we will be looking exploring the story of a biblical character, who demonstrates many Godly attributes- that our own Father- God- possesses. This biblical character, Boaz, is only seen in the book of Ruth.

As we get started the story this morning, the setting of the story involves Ruth and her mother-in- Law (Naomi) returning to Naomi’s homeland (Judah) following the death of her husband, Elimelech. Interestingly, Naomi and her family had moved from Judah to Moab to evade a famine in their homeland, rather than trusting God to provide for them.

The story begins, almost immediately after the death of Elimelech, where Naomi encourages both of her Daughter-in-laws, Ruth and Orpah, to get on with their lives- go find husbands and make families- as she is returning to her homeland and could not bear any more children. Orpah does not hesitate to move on with her life, but Ruth is adamant in sticking it out with her Mother-in-Law, moving to Judah- a land where she is considered a foreigner as today’s text tells us. Today’s text revolves around Ruth “gleaning” fields following others who were harvesting crop. “Gleaning” was where Ruth was following a paid Harvest crew, picking up scrap stalks of wheat that the crew either dropped or missed. Boaz is introduced into the story as the owner of the field that Ruth is working from- and we find out later in the book how Boaz is the family’s “Guardian-Redeemer.” The term “Guardian-Redeemer” was used to convey someone who redirected attention to the Lord, where attention may have been otherwise. The Guardian-Redeemer, more often, bought back land and property that families had sold to make ends meet. The Guardian-Redeemer’s role was oriented at restoring things that God had designed to its original state.

If any of you have every worked in a garden, potato field, hay-making, or similar harvest operation, you know very well how hard the work is. At the end of a long, challenging and very physical harvest season, it is quite common for the worker to look over the fruits of their harvest as if to say, “Hard work pays off in the long run.”

Godly Men help facilitate faith in the lives of others, when they have either been led away, forced away, or as a product of their own actions and decisions, been pushed away from the Christian life.

The story, today, conveys how God redeems even the toughest of situations, which we create from our sin. The sin we see in this morning’s text is the lack of trusting God during the original famine, and Naomi’s family choosing to rely on themselves- rather than God.

This morning, we will be looking at the lessons that Boaz- a Godly man- the Grand-father of Jesus Christ teach us today. You will see many parallel comparisons, between the Godly man- Boaz- and His grandson- our very own Christ.

This morning, we will explore how Godly men serve as Facilitators of Faith to help others find or keep their way. We will be looking at three key lessons that Godly Men can teach us.

SERMON POINT 1- GODLY MEN CAN FACILITATE FAITH BY TEACHING AND MODELING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Influencing is one of the major challenges of the Christian Life. God could quite easily force His way into everyone’s hearts, but this is not the God that we know. God knows what is going to stick in each person’s life and what will not. Forcing people to do things, just never seems to stick. Things stick when people desire change within themselves. However, people- unfamiliar with the Christian life- must be able to see what the Christian way looks like so they can conscientiously decide whether to pursue Christ or not.

Fathers can be impactful in the way they mold their children. Let’s turn to Proverbs 22:6 to see how what God’s word has to say about how Fathers can Facilitate Faith. Fathers can be to each of us. Turn with me to what the Bible has to say about the impact of Fathers.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Fathers have a wonderful opportunity to mold us. Some Fathers were very good at teaching us, some were not as Good. Fathers, who are still raising children, are reminded of the impact they can have on their children.

Today’s text shows us that one way that Fathers can train their children is by starting with the basics of modeling the Christian life. The text today shows us a Godly Man, who is nice, speaks kind words, provides loving reassurance, and builds a relationship where the Child knows they will always be accepted. Fathers, who exemplify their teaching serve as great role models.

William Barclay, a British theologian, tells the following story in his commentary on this Biblical text. He told a story about someone changing signs. That is, at the intersection of the road, one sign would point to the city of Seattle and another sign would point to the city of Tacoma. And the boy wondered to himself: How many people could I send down the wrong road if I change the signs? Your very life is a signpost with a sign on it. Are you sending people down the wrong road or the right road?

God is a God who resonates of unconditional love despite our lapses in judgment, our distancing from Him, and often times- our own lack of humility. Yet- God does not stop loving us through His Kind, Comforting, and Accepting attributes. God displays for us what the Christian Life should look like.

God never distances Himself from us. We distance ourselves. Yet- God will only go as far as He knows that until we are ready- the Christian Way will not stick with people who do not know Him.

God pulls closer when we seek Him. We seek Him only when our hearts and life has been prepared. Godly men can help set the stage for God’s revelation through the example of their own lives.

Christians possess a tremendous capacity to build God’s Kingdom, Facilitating Faith through the examples that Fathers can have speaks volumes through their words, actions, acceptance and love for others.

Christians, who take a strong stand publicly with or against some very controversial subjects, can easily push people away.

Society does not want to hear what it is doing wrong. Society would rather hear you say and show the fact that they are going to be loved, regardless of their mistakes, lifestyle, economic, or other characteristics. Christians need this same level of trust, acceptable and unconditional love from their Fathers.

God could care less what we look like, smell like, possess, or even what our history involves- as long as our Christian Walk reveals a God of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and concern for His flock.

The Christian Walk is not the easiest path to take in life. The Bible tells us how Christians are not of this World. Christians are persecuted and or suffer, every day for their faith. The Bible tells us how Christians are few.

Therefore, Godly Men can have a tremendous role in assisting others in their Christian Walk. Let us look at the next point that the author of Ruth is making in the text this morning.

SERMON POINT 2- GODLY MEN CAN FACILTATE FAITH BY SHEPHERDING THEIR SHEEP WELL .

Today’s text shows us how a Godly Man- Boaz- was watching over Ruth by warning his male servants not to touch her, to make her work easier by intentionally leaving stalks of grain on the ground and providing her food and water when she became hungry and thirsty.

Similarly, to the Godly man in today’s text- Christians have someone who is also watching over them, providing and protecting them- sometimes from things they cannot even see themselves. This someone- we know as our Christian God- as revealed in the physical body of our Christ and in the Spiritual form of the Holy Spirit. This someone, we know as our Shepherd. Scripture reiterates many responsibilities that Shepherd has- the most significant being their responsibility to oversee their flock.

The Greek word for “flock” used throughout Scripture- “Poimnion” defines a group of Disciples and in some cases- Bodies of Christians provided over by elders. Figuratively, the Bible represents us as this flock, with each of us as the Sheep.

Sheep in the 1st Century were among the most valuable creatures due to their gentleness and dependence on a shepherd to be watched in the pasture and be led to water, protected from wild beasts. Sheep were also the sole source of warmth as their wool provided cold and wet weather coats. Simply put, Sheep had a tremendous value in the 1st Century. The God who Christians know is on continual watch of His flock.

The Bible gives us an understanding of what the duties of a Shepherd area. As Shepherds come in all forms and figures, it is important to note that one Shepherd of a Flock can be seen through how a Father leads or communes with his family.

Let’s look at a couple of duties Scripture says a Father must do to lead their flock well.

1. Know where they are at in life-

Turn with me to Proverbs 27:23,

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and given attention to the herds,”

2. Care for them

Turn with me to Acts 20:28

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

3. Protect them

Turn with me to Matthew 7:15,

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Dr. Andrew Bonar tells of how in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wader off into the rocks and get into places that they cannot get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they cannot jump back again, and the shepherd hears them bleating in distress. They may be there for days, until they have eaten all the grass. The shepherd will wait until they are so faint, they cannot stand, and then they will put a rope around the sheep, and he will over and pull that sheep up out of the jaws of death.

“Why don’t they go down there when the sheep first gets there?” I asked.

“Ah!” He said, “They are so very foolish they would dash right over the cliff and be killed if they did!”

And that is the way with humans; they won’t go back to God till they have no friends and have lost everything. If you are a wanderer, I tell you that the Good Shepherd will bring you back the moment you have given up trying to save yourself and are willing to let Him save you His own way.

Humans have this inward desire to focus on themselves. Humans have this desire to try to fix themselves and rely on their own abilities to live life. However, we can see where focusing on ourselves gets us although they may be able to temporarily find cures, solutions, or other means of resolution.

Christians know that that suffering is a Divine calling so that others can see how God wants us to model His response to trials and tribulations. Christians know that pain and suffering is only temporary.

The text today announces how Godley men, such as Fathers, have a responsibility to watch out for each other. Christians have an inner calling to encourage, protect, warn, provide, and accept others as they are.

Remember reading or reciting the infamous Children’s Prayer-

“Father, Now I Lay me down to Sleep. I pray that if I shall not wake- I pray my soul to take?” Even the smallest child recognizes that they are not in control.

But where do adults go wrong? Adults- as they become more educated in the world- feel they do not need to know or live in any Faith- as the world has taught them how to survive.

There is an old saying, “Every dog has its day.” Although the origin and intent of this infamous saying are difficult to research, the implication is that we all experience life with its ups and downs. If we choose to live in the good moments, we must be conscientious to the fact that there will also be bad days.

Christians have a unique advantage that the world does not. Christians know that they need to be in unity, with each other. Christians need to be focused on each other, rather than themselves so that they can point people to a God who they see in us. Sometimes, this work is painfully difficult and requires us to switch places with others. Christians, abiding in Christ, must be conscientious to the fact that they are not alone. They have each other- and most importantly- they have something the world does not- Christ.

Godly Men, such as Fathers, can be so instrumental in Shepherding their flocks well that allow them to Facilitate Faith in others.

Fathers of all forms can play an integral role in the lives of many people if they Shepherd their sheeps well. Fathers can display who God is and put others before themselves. Fathers, who are consistently patient, loving and kind- are watchful, providing and encouraging can show others hope from the despair of the World.

SERMON POINT 3- GODLY MEN CAN FACILTATE FAITH BY OFFERING HOPE AND HELP OTHERS SEE THE REWARDS.

The Bible shows us a God who is simply full of mercy and grace, just waiting to extend “favor” when possible. Exploring the Greek word for favor, “Evnoia,” we can see where the English word “favor” means in Greek “to show grace.” This Greek word is used in Today’s text, and many times throughout Scripture.

Today’s text features a Godly man, who shows Ruth “favor” by looking after her and paving the way for her. Verse 10 and 13 of today’s reading, convey a similar translation as Boaz is seen taking notice of the foreigner- Ruth, and then comforting her- even though she was not one of his servants.

Our God demonstrates his love in many ways, but one way is how he offers continual hope and reward for us- even though we may be subject to making mistake after mistake. In fact, God knows we are not perfect- therefore, He is also standing by- willing to provide mercy and grace to those who are making a considerable effort to walk an acceptable Christian Walk.

How amazing that we have a Father in Heaven, who remains faithful to us, despite the fact that we do not always treat Him the way He should be treated. The examples of God should resonate with how our earthly Fathers should be. Fathers, who love us continuously, also simultaneously encourage us- and even lend a willing hand in our lives.

Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 to see how Fathers can Facilitate Faith by being encouraging and supportive.

“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

The Barcelona Olympics of 1992 provided one of track and field’s most incredible moments.

Britain’s Derek Redmon has dreamed all his life of winning a gold medal in the 400-meter race, and his dream was in sight as the gun sounded in the semifinals at Barcelona. He was running the race of his life and could see the finish line as he rounded the turn into the backstretch. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain go up the back of his leg. He fell face first onto the tract with a torn right hamstring.

Sports Illustrated recorded the dramatic events:

“As the medical attendants were approaching, Redmond fought to his feet. ‘It was an animal instinct,’ he would say later. He set out hopping, in a crazed attempt to finish the race. When he reached the stretch, a large man in a T-shirt came out of the stands, hurled aside a security guard, and ran to Redmond, Derek’s father. ‘You don’t have to do this,’ he told his weeping son. ‘Yes, I do,” said Derek. ‘Well, then,” said Jim, ‘we we’re going to finish this together.’ And they did.

Fighting off security men, the son’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder, they stayed in Derek’s Lane all the way to the end, as the crowd gape, then rose, howled, and wept. Derek didn’t walk away with the gold medal, but he walked away with an incredible memory of a father who, when he saw his son in pain, left his seat in the stands to help finish the race.

That’s what God does for us. When we are experiencing pain and we’re struggling to finish the race, we can be confident that we have a loving Father who won’t let us do it alone. He left His place in heaven to come alongside us in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. “I am with you always,” says Jesus, ‘to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Knowing that our God is waiting to extend us “favor”- even when we do not deserve it provides of hope. Especially considering how humans are far from perfect. Without Grace, we would be unable to see the light in ourselves, as well as each other.

God calls us not only to remember his “favor” but also to extend similar “favor” to others. Extending “favor” shows Christ in us, as we willingly sympathize and take others into our lives. Fathers play an instrumental role in setting the example of this biblical definition of “favor”, as they should always be ready to extend mercy and grace.

Life today is extremely hard. Everything seems to work against who we are as Christians. Christians are simply not of this World as they place priorities on things the World has no value of and vice-versa.

Godly Men, such as Fathers, help show the Mercy and Grace of God in their lives, so that others are encouraged. Fathers who extend Mercy and Grace can Facilitate Faith.

Maria Kefalas is a sociologist who studies marriage and family issues. She is a self-identified feminist who has co-authored a book called, “Promises I Can Keep: Why Poor Women Put Motherhood before Marriage.” Her research has shown that few things that can hamper a child as much as not having a father at home. “Women always tell me, ‘I can be a mother and a father to a child,” but it’s not true. Growing up without a father has a deep psychological effect on a child. ‘The mom may not need that man,’ Kefalas says, ‘but her children still do.’

In a culture that is marginalizing fathers, this is an important message. Father needs to be more than just birthing children. They need to become more actively involved in the lives of their children- at all ages and stages of life. “Fathers need to put in the hard work as it pays off in the long run.”

Today’s text shows us how a Godly man- Boaz- points people back to God as a Guardian-Redeemer. The role of a Guardian-Redeemer serves to ensure that others do not fall final prey to temptations and lust of life. A Godly man can serve as a pivotal role in redirecting someone’s faith back to the “One” who is just waiting. A Godly Man Facilitates Faith in others.

Fathers, Grandfathers, prospective Fathers and Spiritual Fathers- We recognize the importance each of you have today in directing and redirecting people to Christ.

Today’s Christian Life is not easy by any standard but having confidence in the lessons and impact of Godly men keeps our life directed toward what God has designed and His Will for us.

Godly Men, such as Fathers, serve as Faith Facilitators through their actions and words- their natural inclination to watch over and protect us- and lastly, their inclination to show us endless “favor.”

So, I ask everyone here today-

Do you have or have had a Godly man in your life? If not, could it be that you just needed to know who God calls out as a Godly man?

If you are a male and either a natural or spiritual Father, are you embracing the challenges that you are given in showing people Christ? In the tough times, are you exhibiting mercy and grace even though your humanly response wants to say different?

If you are not yet a Father, what type of Father will you become?

And lastly, all of us should look at how God calls our called our Fathers to be, so that we can appreciative of those who assumed that Fatherly role in our lives.