Dads with a mission

Fathers have been given a mission (Josh 1:2-4)

Explanation: Joshua was selected to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. Moses, the servant of God, had been leading the nation for 40 years. Moses had been the leader of the Exodus, the human agency that God used to deliver the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery.

Joshua may have felt inadequate for the mission. He may have felt unqualified (“I aint no Moses!) His mission assignment was daunting and dangerous, but important and worthy at the same time. Regardless of how he felt about the mission, he did understand that he had been given an assignment.

Argument: Joshua understand that he had been called and selected to lead. He had been given a mission and he understood his mission. If you are a father you have been given a mission, You have been called to leadership of your family and it is an important and worthwhile mission. Too many dads are checking out on their responsibilities. They are not engaging in the mission assignment because some of them don’t understand or haven’t accepted the responsibilities that come with being a father.

Fathers are empowered by God to carry out the mission (Joshua 1:5)

Explanation: After giving the assignment to Joshua, the LORD God tells him that he does not have to try to accomplish the task of conquering the Promised Land in his own power. God promises to empower Joshua with His own Divine presence. Joshua had been given a God-sized task, and it was not physically possible for Joshua to carry out the task in his own abilities.

It is of course, very important to realize that God made this specific promise to Joshua - that no man will be able to withstand against him. That was a specific promise to a specific person for a specific set of circumstances.

Illustrate: The ODWG camp at Franklin. Discussing the possibility of canceling the camp - not enough volunteers. God came through with 2 brand-new churches with over 25 volunteers.

Argument: The promise of God’s presence in the life of the believer is a timeless and general promise. The empowerment of God in that He is with us and will never leave us is, however, true for only those who are in right relationship to Him through faith in the finished work of Jesus.

God’s common grace to all of humanity does extend to those who live according to his principles. In His economy, God created the man to be the head of the home, and when the father is operating in his capacity, the family functions and prospers according to God’s common grace. Just about every sociological study has shown that when dad is absent from the picture, the family struggles. The role of being a father is a critical role and doing it right requires all the help we can get.

Fathers who are also believers have the incredible privilege of being empowered by the Spirit of God to illuminate truth and to be an ever-present guide and help.

Fathers are to be strong and courageous as they fulfill the mission (Joshua 1:6, 7a, 9)

Explanation: Immediately after telling Joshua that He would empower him, God then commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. As a matter of fact, God tells Joshua this three times! It was God’s mission, and it was God-sized which required God’s help, but Joshua still had his part to play. Joshua had to face the unknown with courage. He was leading a nation into a war of conquest and the enemy was not just going to let them have the land without fighting for it.

Illustrate: Consider the courage that was required of Joshua on the fourth or fifth day of the battle for Jericho. The army had done nothing but march around the city blowing trumpets. Do you think Joshua was receiving criticism from the troops?

Argument: Things that are worthwhile aren’t always easy. Matter of fact, most of the time the more value a task has, the more it requires to fulfill. Being a father and leading a family is not easy. Some decisions will not be popular; other decisions will not be clear - leadership requires courage on the part of the leader as he is trusting God.

Fathers are to stay focused on the mission parameters (Joshua 1:7b)

Explanation: Joshua was given a specific assignment with clearly defined parameters. He was to lead the people in conquest of the land which was marked off by geographical boundaries. Joshua was given clear instructions as to how the warfare was to be conducted, when and if loot would be taken, and clear instructions as to who he could enter into treaty negotiations with and who he could not. God gave Joshua boundaries for his good and the flourishing of the nation.

Illustrate; Top Gun Maverick. The mission had specific parameters - they had only a few minutes and they had to stay low. If the fighter pilots flew outside the parameters the mission failed and they died.

Argument: God has given fathers boundaries.

We are to enter fatherhood through the avenue of marriage - we are not to father children illegitimately.

Fathers are to honor the marriage and provide a model of stability for the children - we are not free to abandon the marriage when it gets hard or we get bored with one woman.

Fathers are to be the primary instructors of the faith heritage and pass it on to the children - we are not allowed to delegate this requirement to our wives or the mother of our children. (Deut 6, Psalm 78)

Fathers are to be engaged in the process. It is a life time commitment and we do not have the right to check out

Fathers are to saturate themselves in the Word to ensure success (Josh 1:8)

Explanation: God knew that Joshua would have concerns. He had been given a huge responsibility. We look back on what Joshua accomplished as he trusted God, but when he was given the assignment on the front end, Joshua must have had a multitude of concerns and doubts. God also told Joshua to be immersed in the Word. God told Joshua to “meditate on the Word day and night” (Josh 1:8). By doing so, Joshua would be reminded of what God had already done and who He was in His nature. These things would be helpful and encouraging to Joshua during his long years of leadership.

Argument: Consider what a privilege we have been given. Joshua only had the first five books of the Bible that God inspired Moses to write. We have access to to the entire Bible! We have complete Bibles in our homes and we even have Bible apps on our phones! We are the most privileged generation to ever live when it comes to accessing the Scriptures. BUT, do we read it? Do we meditate on God’s truth on a daily basis?

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of waters, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Application: Rise up men of courage and lead your families in a way that honors God. Strive to fulfill your mission with honor and integrity. Stay the course and do not be found AWOL. Your role is vital and you remaining engaged in the battle is important!