A Sermon In A Bag-- For Fathers

VI. FRUIT ROLL UPS.

Galatians 6:7 “ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

God expects us to bear fruit… John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Part of your mission field is your own family. You will live to regret it if you gain the whole world and loose your children.

CONCLUSION.

The items that you have are in a bag. Proverbs 16:11 instructs: “Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights IN THE BAG are of his making.” Do an honest job of raising your children. Do not cheat them by taking shortcuts or by succumbing to carnal means. Do not short-weight your kids.

One day Fathers will be called upon by God to give an account of how they filled their task. Just as Joseph substituted for God as the earthly Father for Jesus… Fathers need to image God by their lives with their children. Ephesians 6:3 reminds that if you honor your Heavenly Father and earthly Fathers “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”(For us, eternal life!)

Have you ever heard this expression, “It’s in the bag?” A father is confidently working on a business deal and you ask him, “How is the deal going?” He replies, “It’s in the bag.” Parenting is the greatest business in the world. As you eat, or maybe share, the items in your bag with your family, be reminded that the stuff in your bag represents tools that you can use to give your children an excellent chance to make Heaven. The tools are in your bag and the bag is in your hands. What will you do with what is in your bag? What will you do with the children under your care?

(NIV quotes)

(Ron Keller 6/15/03)