Father's Day Sermon 6.19.22

Intro/Welcome

Welcome

happy Fathers day

Good to be back

Name

Bible

Welcome those present and online

Sermon

Why a sermon on fatherhood?

For the same reason we did a sermon on motherhood

A culture that is honoring fatherhood less and less,

and understanding fatherhood even less.

My Contention is this:

When we have women living as godly mothers and men living at godly fathers — life flourishes.

Therefore,

We need a generation of men to rise up and be the Godly Fathers that God created and has called them to be.

How do we know what a Father ought to be like?

Do we listen to culture/the World?

Thankfully God has told us, and shown us what a father is supposed to be like.

not only that, in Christ, he empowers us to be the kind of Fathers he intends.

Men, Women and Children

We are talking about fathers, but don’t tune out b/c

Children: you want your fathers to be like this

Women: you want your husbands to be like this

Men: you can be a spiritual father.

Image of Father

When you think of a Father what image comes to mind?

I realize, this can be a dangerous exercise

1. For some, the image of Father is deeply painful b/c of abuse or neglect or abandonment

2. For some, there may be no image of Father b/c you never had a father around

3. For others, the image of father will be delightful b/c you likely had a godly father, or at least a father who tried his best to father as God would.

It is no accident that in the bible is referred to as Father.

It wasn’t an addition by a patriarchal society

it is how God chose to reveal Himself.

therefore, God holds fatherhood in very high esteem

and for some b/c of our earthly fathers, our image of God as father can be deeply damaged.

Today

In light of this, what I want to do today is to help redeem the image and calling of a father.

I want to start by showing you an image I think captures godly fatherhood:

[Image of Lion and cub]

Five Words

I want to look at Five words that define fatherhood.

Five Words that Define Fatherhood

Responsibility

Strength

Humility

Presence

Impact

Men, Women and Children

We are talking about fathers, but don’t tune out b/c

Children: you want your fathers to be like this

Women: you want your husbands to be like this

Men: you can be a spiritual father.

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–3 (ESV)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

God, the Father

Ephesians 3:14–15 (CSB)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

As we look to understand fatherhood the most obvious place to look is to God himself.

God is a trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

so what does God as father teach us about fatherhood?

God is provider, planner, protector

God the father created all things

God the father provides for his children

God the father protects

God the Father plans for salvation

God the father exudes strength

God the father exudes authority

God, Our Father

If we have believed in Jesus, we have become children of God

God has become our father.

this is incredible.

It means we have access to the most power, loving being in all the universe.

Pastor Tim Keller helps us understand how wonderful it is to have God as our Father:

“The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.”

And this astonishing right of entry into the presence of God is not a minor emphasis in the gospel. It is the heart of the message.

As we look to God as Father, we’ll look at three lenses:

What does this mean to us as Fathers?

What does this reveal about God the father?

What does this mean to men in general?

FIVE WORDS

1. Responsibility / Authority [Responsibility]

Godly Fathers take responsibility for their family.

The reason is because a father has been given authority over his family.

He is the head of his family - Eph 5.

Ephesians 5:23 (CSB)

23 because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body.

Ephesians 6:4 (CSB)

4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

With authority comes responsibility.

Elders

1 Timothy 3:4 (CSB)

4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity.

to manage (προί̈σταμαι): to influence others, to guide, direct, lead

can also mean: to have an interest in, show concern for, care for, give aid

competently (καλῶς): pertaining to events which measure up to their intended purpose

under control: submissive — obedience

with all dignity: that which is proper or befitting

Other Scriptures

Genesis 3:9–12 (CSB)

9 So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 And he said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” 11 Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man replied, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.”

Observations

God calls out to the man — not the woman

indicating responsibility

Furthermore the word came to Adam and he was responsible to pass in on to Eve

Genesis 2:16–17 (CSB)

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”

With responsibility comes authority?

Adam evades responsibility by blaming Eve

This will forever curse men — the temptation to evade responsibility

this is ungodly behavior.

God, the Father

God the father takes responsibility.

He creates the entire universe.

He creates all things good.

He allows Adam and Eve to make the free choice to trust him

after they fall, he promises to rescue them

ultimately, God provides a way by sending his own son

at great cost to Himself.

The Cost

Taking responsibility in a fallen world will cost you something.

to be a Godly father means taking responsibility for your family.

It means it will cost you something.

Money

Freedom

hobbies

Fulfillment

But if you take responsibility you will get something far greater than what it cost you.

Fulfillment

Joy/delight in being like God.

Taking responsibility feels good

it’s scary yes — but it is what you were made for

fellas, let us be a generation of men who take responsibility for our families

Men in general

Even if you don’t have a family

As a man, you were created to take responsibility

My Charge: Take responsibility for your life.

Lead yourself first.

live as God intends for you to live

as he created and called you to live.

If you are taking responsibility, then rejoice in that!

don’t believe the lies of the enemy that are trying to crush you b/c of your failings. — mine to.

There is no condemnation for those In Christ Jesus!

2. Strength [Strength]

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (ESV)

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

There is something about man’s physical make-up that indicates a spiritual truth.

Men tend to be physically stronger than women

Broader shoulders

more rigid frame.

This points to the characteristic of strength.

Godly fathers exude strength.

Certainly this is physical strength

the ability to carry a heavy load

In centuries past, and in many parts of the world today it is the physical strength of the man that allows to family to flourish.

This is physical labor in the field

but also strength to fend off threats

thus it is through strength that a father can provide for and protect his family

Where are the strong fathers today?

able to bear the load

able to provide and protect

Because there has often been an abuse of power or strength by men, our culture has sought to emasculate men, rather than call them to use their strength for Godly purposes.

We don’t need weak fathers

We need strong fathers, not physically, although that is good

but spiritually, emotionally, mentally

God the Father

of course, God the father, as all the power in the world.

He created all things and rules over all things.

He has all power and might,

Men in General

this is true of every man, not just fathers.

You were created to be strong.

the Lord is your strength

This allows us to be strong men, in the Lord.

What does God command Joshua?

Joshua 1:9 (CSB)

9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

There is the Key

we are strong, b/c the Lord is with us.

Your strength is directly proportional to the strength of your relationship with the Lord

3. Humility [3. Humility]

Humility/meekness/tenderness/gentleness

Great strength under restraint/control

Jesus as the and the Lamb

Godly fathers are humble.

they are teachable

they don’t use their power to serve themselves, but to serve others.

This was the very nature of Jesus

Matthew 11:28–30 (CSB)

28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus had great power

But he was humble, he was approachable, he was gentle

Humility is not weakness, it is great strength

It is knowing when to use your power and when not to

for the benefit of others.

it’s like defending instead of attacking

God the Father

Jesus reveals the humility of God, the Father.

God became a man in Jesus Christ.

Jesus takes responsibility for the sins of the world

he says I’m going to take care of that.

He served others.

Philippians 2:5–11 (CSB)

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.

7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man,

8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Men in General

Godly fathers are humble, they exhibit great power under restraint.

But, again, this is the call to all men.

Be humble, meek, teachable

Encourage you to find a man you respect in your life and say teach me.

4. Presence [4. Presence]

Godly Fathers are present

This means being physically present

It is not less than that, but it is more

It means being emotionally, mentally present.

I get it, sometimes I come home and I am physically present, but I am emotionally and mentally gone.

We need to ask ourselves, what needs to shift in you schedule, priorities so that we can be present

I’ve had to make numerous adjustments in my life

I’m still figuring this one out.

with each child, the demand is more

leading a church, being a husband and father

being a disciple of Jesus.

God the Father is Present

In the ministry of Jesus, God the Father was present

Jesus was always taking to his father

He taught us to pray to Our Father, who is in heaven.

You could sum up the whole purpose of the Bible is so that God would dwell with his people and his people would dwell with Him.

Jesus was God’s presence with us on earth

and now the Holy Spirit is God’s presence with us

Matthew 28:18–20 (CSB)

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God is present.

Godly fathers are present.

Your ability to be Present is directly related to your sense of God’s presence in your life

Men in General

Again, men, this is your calling

Be present with people

Don’t give in to a life defined by isolation, video games and whatever else

Pursue a woman, be present

Be present in ministry and leadership in this church.

5. Impact [5. Impact]

This last one really defines what all men want to have: An impact

We’ll find that when we take responsibility

when we are strong, humble and present

We will make an impact on someone’s life

for a father, this is the impact he has on his children.

Society can say what it wants, but each us of are deeply impacted by our fathers for better or for worse.

We need a generation of Godly men to rise up and impact the next generation.

We may be afraid to take these steps, but if we are honest with ourselves

we want to make an impact

to leave a mark.

Scores of men have done this in evil and harmful ways.

many have impacted multitudes for good.

God the Father

God impacted this world and he still is today.

Through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

He is changing lives forever

Men in general.

I want you to know that you can make an impact.

You don’t have to be a physical father to do this

Paul, who as far as we know never married, writing to the Corinthians says this

1 Corinthians 4:14–15 (CSB)

14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul repeatedly in his letters refers to his disciples as his sons

1 Timothy 1:2 (CSB)

2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

You can be a spiritual father to someone

This is our calling as men, as fathers, as sons and brothers: to impact the world for the good and the Glory of God

Two Questions:

How do I do this?

What about when I fail?

The answer to both of these is the same: Jesus Christ.

Where do we get the power to:

take responsibility

to be strong

to be humble

to be present

to make an impact

Answer:

Jesus Christ died for your sins for your failures as a man, father, husband.

On the Cross He declared “It is finished” — accomplished, completed

We do not strive on our own power to be that kind of man

rather, through the power of the gospel, God is making us that kind of man.

He has declared that we are forgiven of our sins

He had declared that we are righteous — perfect in Christ.

Now he is making us what he has already declared us to be.

Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to empower you to live differently.

Of course you can’t do this on your own power.

anymore than a hose can make water.

rather, we are to confess our shortcomings

and come to the one who can fill us, empower us, lead and direct us.

We call that prayer.

Prayer is exhibiting our dependence on God for all things.

Prayer turns the faucet on so the power of God can flow through us just as a water through a hose.

Jesus himself said this

John 7:37–39 (CSB)

37 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out,

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”

39 He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Then we will be able to live as Paul did

1 Corinthians 15:10 (CSB)

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

3. When we fail, we confess — Jesus has already paid the price, already forgiven us. It has already been erased

1 John 1:9 (CSB)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 5:16 (CSB)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

You see, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus

If you are in Christ, you are so incredibly free

You are so incredibly loved.

that is where we get the power to live this as Godly fathers and Godly men

It is in the power of the Gospel.

Closing

[Close with Image of Lion]

Let’s see that we are that cub as we strive to be like that lion.

Next Steps

I want to be discipled by other men

I want to disciple other men

I want to be more present in the church by serving and or leading.

Pray

So Let’s ask God together now

to be better men

to be better fathers

to impact a generation for the Kingdom of God

by the power and presence of God himself.

Closing Prayer

Extra’s

Job 1:1–5 (CSB)

1 There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 His estate included seven thousand sheep and goats, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5

Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Pastor Tim Keller helps us understand how wonderful it is to have God as our Father: “The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.” And this astonishing right of entry into the presence of God is not a minor emphasis in the gospel. It is the heart of the message. To quote J. I. Packer, “To those who are Christ’s, the holy God is a loving Father; they belong to his family; they may approach him without fear and always be sure of his fatherly concern and care. This is the heart of the New Testament message.” (TGC)