Sermon Tone Analysis

Service Notes

This week I have had to opportunity to say “thank you” to some important fathers in my life

In a living room with one who is battling cancer but is still living his days caring for the kids in his life

At a kitchen table surrounded by Bible study material of a father who has provided such wonderful spiritual leadership and care for my mom for almost 20 years

With a heartbroken father at a family reunion with an uncle who was passing on a family heirloom that would have went to his son who passed away but is now going to my oldest son

At a graveyard to thank my Heavenly Father for the time I had with my biological father and step dad and how they both has tremendous influence in my life.

Now in an auditorium full of fathers who I greatly admire, respect, and appreciate.

We have an extremely, small token of our appreciation for you.

Dad’s stand, get gift, and a round of applause.

Some say Father’s Day is like Mother’s Day but only much cheaper

Even though our gift is small, we want you to know to our families, this church, and the world we live in your role is of huge importance.

We leave in a world that has tried to marginalized your role and influence and we are seeing the results of a world that now has an absence of committed fathers.

A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."

Honor three dads today

One young man said “My dad can fight lions, climb mountains, and pick up a car.. but most days most just has him take out the trash.”

Let’s honor the Rookie Dad

Let’s honor the coach dad - first dad to stand up who has couched their kids in sports

Let’s honor the dad who has been in this the longest.

Introduction to Bible Reading

We looked at this passage on Mother’s Day but stopped short of these verse

Paul is giving a defense and description of his disciple-making ministry by looking to two examples that we should all understand

1 Thessalonians 2:8–13 (KJV 1900)

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Character

1 Thess 2:10 “10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:”

Character is the life we live out before God and man

Dad’s are known for many things.

/ funny jokes, provider for the family, incredible fashion sense “You can tell what was the best year of your father's life, because they seem to freeze that clothing style and ride it out.”

But most importantly they should provide a compass for a family through godly character.

Paul knew in following the Lord people would need and find examples.

He wanted to be that for them. 1 Thess 1:6 “6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:”

He encouraged others to follow him as he followed Christ.

Phil 3:17 “17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

Holily

Our relationship to God is the most significant relationship we have and is foundational to all other relationships.

Holiness begins with intimacy with Jesus Christ

Holiness is not simply discipline but a devotion to following Jesus.

It is personal not just another performance.

It is following Jesus not just sacrifice.

Mark 10:21 “21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Your life — your true life — is hidden with Christ, the Holy One.

Your union with him now makes you holy.

Col. 3:12 “12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” But in order to live out that holiness here, you must Col 3:1 “.. seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

As fathers we often think that more times with our kids is the solution.

Many times it is an absence of time with God that is causing the greatest strain our relationships.

Justily

Speaks of fair treatment.

Anyone who has authority runs the risk of being accused of playing favorites.

Kids ask which one is their favorite.

I ask what makes you think I like any of you?

Christians care about all injustice because all justice is rooted in God.

Deut 32:4 “4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.”

Psalm 99:4 “4 The king’s strength also loveth judgment; Thou dost establish equity, Thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.”

Injustice in this world is letting man and not God determine the value of others.

This is rebellion to God.

Time with God anchors us to the eternal, unchanging truth Of God’s Word.

Without this there is no chance we will live justily.

We will leave driven like a ship in he storm by our emotions.

Unblameable

Okay now we have stepped our of reality; spend time focusing on my relationship with God to live a holy life so I see others as God would have me see them and live justily is one thing.

To ask me to be blameless is another all together.

Can anyone really be unblameable?

Psalm 119:1 “1 ALEPH.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord.”

Psalm 19:13 “13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”

Forgiveness and imputation are the foundation, but not the summation of Christian righteousness.

Faith leads to integrity and uprightness

The faith that links us to Christ for justification also leads to sanctification.

Galatians 5:6 “6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

We need to find words similar to these of David and pray them often.

Psalm 51:10-12 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.”

How do we call ourselves unblameable?

Acknowledge your sin as David

Psalm 25:7 “7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: According to thy mercy remember thou me For thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.”

Psalm 25:8 8 Good and upright is the Lord: Therefore will he teach sinners in the way.”

Psalm 25:11 11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.”

Psalm 25:18 “18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; And forgive all my sins.”

Since his sins are a constant reality to him, so is the mercy and love and grace and goodness of God.

Psalm 25:7 “7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: According to thy mercy remember thou me For thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.”

Psalm 25:10 “10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth Unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”

Respond to God as David did

Psalm 25:2 “2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, Let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Psalm 25:5 “5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; On thee do I wait all the day.”

Psalm 25:9 “9 The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way.”

Psalm 25:20 “20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.”

Then we can say as David and other fathers before us.

Psalm 25:21 “21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; For I wait on thee.”

Transitional Phrase: This is the way of a godly man, trusting the mercy of God, knowing his sins are forgiven, walking in the power of God’s sanctifying Spirit.

He is a man of integrity and uprightness.

Now what is he to do?

Calling

1 Thess 2:11 “11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,”

"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard.

Mother would come out and say, 'You’re tearing up the grass.' 'We’re not raising grass,' Dad would reply.