Father’s Day, at time set aside to honor and remember those dads’ who have been a vital role in every child’s life from the young age to the aged. A day where dad receives special gifts, made by hands that love him, or a gift purchased at the local store that took hours to decide because of the money that was saved for this special guy. A gift that you wanted to be sure that dad would like.
In the eyes of one little child: "Father’s Day is like Mother’s Day only you don’t spend as much money for the present." However in the thoughts of one dad, "Father’s Day scares me, I’m afraid they’ll get me something that I can’t afford."
A man can be a biological parent, but it takes a real man to be called "Daddy"
In our Scripture, we see that all Christians have a Heavenly Father who gives perfect and good gifts, the One who is righteous, always is true.
No matter how good our dads are, they all have imperfections-because the Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Therefore dads are in need of the Saviour. There are some dads who are mean and have an ugly attitude about all things, unfortunately, this leaves the perception of the children that God the Father is the same type of person.
We have a Heavenly Father who cares for every man,woman, boy and girl. The first step to be a father and a real man is to accept and receive the most precious gift of our Heavenly Father, the gift of Salvation. When you, dad, are convicted of your sins and need of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, turn from your sins, trust Christ Jesus, you become a new person with a change of attitude, behavior, and you will see your family, and others as you have never seen them before.
Why? The Difference is Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour.
You will never be able to love your family or anyone else as you should until you experience the Love of God in your own life.
As a Christian Father, we bear the image and influence of Christ-likeness. As our Heavenly Father is, so we have been born from above, therefore He abides within. We have taken His nature into our very being. As we follow Him, the Holy Spirit begins to change each of us to conform to His Image, our attitudes, the way we treat our family and others.
We are to pattern our lives, Dad, after him. I am to care for family and others, because I have a Heavenly Father who cares for me. (Luke 11:11-13)
Some of the gifts of Father are:
I. A Heavenly Father who is the best provider.
Phil 4:19 (The provisions of God)
A. Dad, It is your responsibility to provide for your family, not the government, neighbors, grandparents, or the church’s responsibility
I Tim 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
To all of the deadbeat dads, the world or anyone else doesn’t owe you anything on a silver platter, YOU OWE the best in everything for your family and it is your responsibility in love for them.
II. A Heavenly Father who is worthy and honest.
Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."
God the Father kept His promises, Jesus Christ came to the Cross of Calvary, and rose the third to give eternal life. For He is the Blessed Hope!!
A. Dad, you are to be worthy example in honesty and pure motives.
Never compromise honesty before your family to gain success by using ulterior sinful motives and methods.
Illustration: A young boy had his first job in a grocery store. He came home and proudly told his dad about his "Smart" employer who mixed low quality of coffee with the expensive brand to increase his profits. His father did not see anything amusing in such dishonesty. He would not all his son to work ther anymore. His son’s name: J.C. Penny
Dad, material things can always be replaced, but once you lose your honesty and intergrity before your famil and others, it is almost impossible to get it back.
III. A Father who has a vital interest in my life.
John 3:16 Eternal concern
Phil 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Psalm 139:1-10 His presence is always near
A. Dad, take interest in your family life.
Illustration: Jimmy Johnson’s dad-Author unknown
Jimmy Johnson’s daddy is an awful lot of fun.
He’s quite a pitcher and can hit a real home run.
I know my dad could play as well, but when I ask him to,
He’s always busy and got something else to do.
Jimmy Johnson’s daddy knows a lot of dandy games,
He plays’em with us fellers, and he don’t call Jimmy
"James"
I’ll bet my dad knows things that fun fer fellers, too.
But he’s always awful busy and got something else to do.
Some kids’ dads seem glad to have a chance to play with boys,
And even when they’re readin they mind a little noise;
I’ll bet my dad could beat’em all, if he just only knew
how I miss him when he’s busy and got something else to do."
Take interest in your family, remember:
1. Signal to the children that you care, their perspective is different than adults.
2. Children will grow up before you know it,and what they experience in their childhood, they will carry with them into adulthood.
3. Let the children be children
IV. A Father who desires time together.
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord....."
Matt 28:20 "I am with alway even unto the end of the world."
Hebrews 10: 19-25
A. Dad, Be a christian, church-going example to your family.
1. Vital living faith
a. Dad-Head of the family-family leader(God ordained)
(A word to family, when the father and husband refuse to take the lead, mothers through the Holy Spirit guidance, you must: 1) for the children sake, 2)You may win the husband over.
2. Praying Father
IF YOUR TOO BUSY TO PRAY, THEN YOUR TOO BUSY.
a. Seeking God’s guidance, wisdom &
fellowship.
Children will see your dependency upon God, they too will want to follow in the same steps.
3. Church-going dad.
a. Builds the respect and reverence
in the family for God.
b. Builds the respect and reverence
in the family for the House of
God. (Love and support)
c. Builds the respect and reverence
in the family for the Word of God.
Closing:
Scripture: James 1:17 I have a heavenly Father who:
is the best provider
is worthy and Honest
is interested in my life
desires time together
is the perfect example
Sunday School Times:
"A devoted father came into the room where his eight year old son was dying of an incurable disease. The child, sensing that he was not going to get well asked his father, "Daddy, am I going to die?" "Why, son, are you afraid to die?" The child looked up into the eyes of his father and replied, "Not if God is like you, Daddy."
Dad, Is the One who gives perfect and good gifts your Father? Does your family and others see a resemblance of our heavenly Father in you? Now is the time to become the dad that God desires for you to be.
