A SPECIAL FATHERS DAY by William K. Akehurst
This MUST READ for Fathers and the FatherLESS.
My calling came from the Word in Proverbs 4:1.
From 6/18/06, my first “fatherless” father’s day, with excerpts from the book, ‘God’s promises to Fathers’ by Jack Countryman
Proverbs 4:1 was speaking directly to me… “Young Man, Listen to me as you would your father”
Psalm 68:5 says that God is the Father of the fatherless
As I prepared this morning’s message, I remembered an earlier time in my life when I was behind a pulpit on Father’s day, I was 16 years old. I was getting ready to enter into my High School Senior year.
That Father’s day, my grandfather, my dad and myself, were asked to speak and deliver a message to the congregation at Camp Chapel. 3 generations of Akehursts, speaking of the God of our Fathers. Showing the ‘faith of our fathers’. I remember speaking of visions of the future, but not knowing exactly which way my life would turn out, I would trust in the Lord to direct my paths as it says in Proverbs 3:5-6.
…….more
18 months ago, I turned 40… On my birthday, at the office, a fellow came to me and said…“Welcome to the Club!” I didn’t know what he meant at first, then, he added ‘the 40 and over club.’
As I look out in this room, you all have joined several more clubs from the 40 and over.
Earlier this year, I joined a new club. It was one that I wasn’t actually looking forward to joining, but I knew sooner or later, I would be a member. As I look out in this room, almost everyone here is part of this club…our Father’s have gone on before us.
On March 1st, I joined the Club of the Fatherless.
On March 4th, As I took my bible, I grabbed the Life Application Bible which is a Living Translation or paraphrase. As it was the 4th day of the month, I turned to Proverbs 4, and the 1st verse said this to me…
“Young man, listen to me as you would to your father”
Proverbs 4:1 KJV
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to have understanding.
NLT
Young men, listen to me as you would to your father
WOW! Did you here that. Young man…listen to me…as you would your father…
Well as you can imagine, I was quite blown away. Here is the Bible, God’s word, SPEAKING to ME.
God was saying…Bill, read my Word and Listen to ME as you would have listened to your Father.
Psalm 68:5 says that God is the Father of the fatherless
Psalm 68:5 (KJV)
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Today is a special day.
This is a Very Special Father’s Day…
* * * * *
Society – this next generation has the worst case of fatherlessness EVER
Men make their mark and disappear. Children grow up without the father figure.
I was blessed to have a father who cared for me as his son. Now Dad made his mistakes too, but he tried to be a good father.
And a Good father is one who
loves his children
cares and provides for his children
nurtures and protects his children
I have spoken with many of you in the past months, and some of you probably do not consider today a good day to remember your Father. Some of you had a pretty rough childhood. Some of you didn’t get along with your father or didn’t even know him.
But I have GOOD NEWS!
GOD himself says…
2 Corinthians 6:18
18 “ I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”
GOD IS – the PERFECT FATHER
God Loves us
The Father’s love for his children
1 John 3:1a
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
John 14:21,23
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 16:27
For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
* * * * *
From the book ‘God’s promises to Fathers’ by Jack Countryman…
a. God Freely Gives You…
Eternal Hope
John 3:16 says whoever believes in Him should have eternal life.
Romans 6:23 the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
Wisdom
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
James 1:5,6 if you lack wisdom, let him ask of God in faith
Peace
John 14:27 Let not your heart be troubled. I give a heavenly peace
b. God asks you to…
Show kindness
Be not overcome of evil…but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:21
Love your neighbors…as yourself Matt 19:19b
Speak encouraging words to all…to edify one another
Forgive…be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as He did for us Eph 4:32
Trust Him even when we don’t understand
Trust in the Lord with all your heart…Lean not on your own understanding Prov 3:5-6
c. God gives you strength when…
You feel defeated and powerless...He is my fortress. My hiding place and my shield, I hope in His word. Ps 119:114
d. God protects you…
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
e. God listens to your prayers when
You ask …Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
f. God fills you with joy when
You give praises to the Lord…
Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised…
1 Peter 1:8…you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
g. God keeps you secure when
You worry about your family’s health and well-being
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
God’s special love is with you and comforts you when your problems seem impossible
Matt 19:26 with God all things are possible
God shares your dreams for…A peaceful and more hopeful world
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him Proverbs 16:7
h. God rejoices when
You trust him and wait for his answers
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
i. God challenges you to
Share your faith with others…Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
* * * * *
So, I’ll ask you this…
Do you have a Father?
Of course you do…you wouldn’t have been born if not.
I had a good father, but some of you may not have had a good relationship with your earthly father. Some of you may even not like to think about your father on this day. To this I ask, have you forgiven him? Even if he has passed on, have you allowed your spirit to forgive in order to allow the healing process to begin.
Do it today please…
Back to my questions…
• Do you have a Heavenly Father? You must...to be born again!
• Do you communicate with Him? As the PERFECT FATHER He loves and desires you!
If you do not have a personal relationship with Him. Just ask Him, that’s all it takes, Ask and Believe…
• Have you shared Him with others? He desires your friends and family – the whole world
• Do others see Him in you? Eph 5:1 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children”
• Will future generations remember you by the faith you have in Christ?
Listen to this…
Psalm 71:18
Now also when I am old and grayheaded,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come.
WOW. Did you know that was in there?
When we leave this earth…will your faith pass on to future generations?
When future generations sing this next song, will you be mothers and fathers of faith?
Make it your purpose. Make it your destiny. Ask the Lord to guide you and lead you that you might be a man or woman of Great Faith.
Let’s pray!
Let’s sing – FAITH OF OUR FATHERS
