A Holiday Special A SERMON DEDICATED TO FATHERHOOD

A Holiday Special A SERMON DEDICATED TO FATHERHOOD

A Special Day • Today marks another holiday in our culture – These are days which we dedicate to remembering something special – Today is the day we dedicate to remember our fathers • Fatherhood is something which our broader society as neglected in recent years – Like motherhood, fatherhood has been taking a beating – All to often fathers are seen as bumbling fools • Like mothers, fathers and fatherhood are in need of defending – It is not only in need of defending, but also of understanding – Where can we go to understand the importance of fatherhood? – Fathers and fatherhood are gifts from God, so it seems quite appropriate to seek the Scriptures

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. ” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ” (Ephesians 6: 1 -4, ESV)

Obedience and Honor • Children are to obey their parents – Paul recognizes this as the commandment with a promise that it will go well with you and you may live long in the land • The promise is that they would have a long and blessed life – Obedience to our parents clearly has importance to God – He wants us to honor our parents by obeying them • That does not mean fathers are to act in anyway they want – This does not give fathers free reign • Instead, we are told they are not to provoke their children to anger – Fathers should refrain from doing this which would cause scorn – The goal for fatherhood is not to cause anger, but as Paul says, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ”

Discipline and Instruction • Paul does not say “do not discipline” – He calls on fathers to bring up their children in the Lord – The Lord disciplines, and chastens those whom He loves (Proverbs 3: 12, Hebrews 12: 6) – The goal is not for us to hate, but to see the difference between right and wrong – Discipline teaches us when we are wrong so we can be in the right • It does not end with discipline – Fathers are to bring up their children in instruction of the Lord – This means fathers have a responsibility to teach and train children • What does it require? – That we should learn more about God – It will not do for us to be stagnant, but are to continue to grow in our own personal pursuit of knowing God

Fathers as Theologians • This means fathers are to be theologians – Theology comes from two greek words qeos (Thay-ahs) which means God and logi (Lah-ghee) means study of – Theology means the study of God – To be a theologian is one who studies and gains knowledge in knowing God – It means reading our Bibles and knowing Church history, being willing to teach what we have been taught, and making sure what we know is right • We see a few things, then, from these verses – Fathers are to be honored – Fathers are to be disciplinarians – Fathers are to be theologians

Fathers as Theologians • This means fathers are to be theologians – Theology comes from two Greek words qeos (Thay-ahs) which means God and logi (Lah-ghee) means study of – Theology means the study of God – To be a theologian is one who studies and gains knowledge in knowing God – It means reading our Bibles and knowing Church history, being willing to teach what we have been taught, and making sure what we know is right • We see a few things, then, from these verses – Fathers are to be honored – Fathers are to be disciplinarians – Fathers are to be theologians

8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. (Proverbs 1: 89) Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. (Proverbs 4: 1 -2)

Fathers as Instructors • We saw how Paul had the same concept when describing fathers as instructors • Consider society – Who teaches? – The educators are the knowledgeable ones who have all the information – Parents, are not often seen as instructors – Providers, yes, but the Scriptures are clear that fatherhood involves teaching • Fathers are important for our development – They are the foundations on which knowledge begins – How they train us will have repercussions for the rest of our lives – Fathers have a responsibility to make sure they are training their children in the right and good ways of the Lord

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know shim who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know shim who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (I John 2: 12 -14, ESV)

Spiritual Fathers • We find hope here – – The first is for those who feel as though they’ve failed being fathers It is never to late to be a good father in the Church Younger men are in need to see faith persevere There are those who are younger who need to be reminded and taught • You older men are our fathers of the faith – Our mothers were called to make their shoulders strong for the next generation – This is no less true for each of you men in this congregation – Whether these individuals are your biological children or not, because the fact is you are fathers to those of the younger generations within the Church

Spiritual Fathers (2) • Further hope 1 – Lets say you didn’t have the greatest dad growing up – Here in the , by God’s grace, you will find fathers who will care for you, watch over you, love you, and cherish you, instructing you in the faith • Further hope 2 – Within the Church there is always redemption – Here you can learn how to be better not only to biological children, but also your spiritual children – You can continue to grow, knowing I Christ change is possible • Further hope 3 – It gives each of us hope knowing we are not alone – Though we struggle, we see those whom God has kept in His grace – This should give us peace

Our Great Father • “Our Father who art in heaven” – The concept of God being our Father is strong in the Scriptures – It stems from Christ, it is through Him we are able to pray to our God as our Father • This has direct ramifications for us – We are no longer merely created beings, but are God’s children – This is not the case with all people, but instead for those who are in Christ (see Romans 8) – There is no love as complete as the love of God the Father for the Son – This same love is given to us • Thus, above all in the Church, is our great God, our Father – We are to reflect Him to our children

Our Great Father • We have the greatest teacher – It is God Himself – It also means no matter the circumstances we are never fatherless if we are in Christ • This also reminds us that fatherhood is not something trivial – – It is a reflection of God Himself It is no small thing to be a father Instead, it is a high calling, a great blessing Because of this we should strive to be the best fathers we can for the glory of Christ

Fatherhood • Fatherhood is no easy thing – It comes with heartaches, with sorrow – Our hearts break for our children knowing the experiences and the hurts this life can bring – If that be the case, if our children must face a dark world, then let us continue to shine the light of Christ on them • My hope is the same as with mother’s day – That we would remember our fathers – All those men who have watched over us – No Christian is without cause of praise for fatherhood • Today, celebrate fathers – Pray for them for wisdom – Encourage them to remain faithful in what God has called of them as fathers – Honor them in that calling