A young woman ... brought her fiancé home ... to meet her parents.
After dinner, .... her mother asked the father to find out about the young man, ...... so, ... the father invited the fiancée into his study ... for a drink.
"So, ... what are your plans?" ... the father asked.
"I am a Torah scholar", ... he replied.
"A Torah scholar... Hmmmm", ... the father says.
"Admirable, ... but what will you do to provide a nice home ... for my daughter to live in, ... as she is accustomed to?"
"I will study", ... the young man replied, .... "and God will provide for us."
"And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, ... such as she deserves?" ... asks the father.
"I will concentrate on my studies", ... the young man replied, ... "God will provide for us."
"And children?"... asked the father. "... How will you support your children?"
"Don't worry, sir, ... God will provide," replied the fiancée.
The conversation proceeds like this, ... and each time the father asked a question, ... the young man stated ... that God will provide.
Later, .... the mother asked: "How did it go, Honey?"
The father answered: "He has no job and no plans, .... and .... he thinks I'm God."
Well our spouses ... and our Children ... will readily affirm ... that we as husbands ... and fathers ... may fall just... a little short ... of God.
Today is Father's Day, ... and let me wish a "Blessed Father's Day" ... to all the fathers and grandfathers ... who are here today. (Pause)
Indeed ... It is Father's Day, ... and the very first national celebration ... of this day .... was on June 19, 1924, ... via a proclamation ... of President Calvin Coolidge.
But it all came about ... due to the efforts of a woman named ... "Sonora" Smart Dodd.
Sonora was sitting in church in 1909 ... listening to a Mother's Day sermon .... when the idea of Father's Day ... first came to mind.
Having been raised by her father, ... after her mother's death, .... Sonora wanted her father to know ... how special he was ... to her.
For all his sacrifices .... for being, .... in her eyes, so courageous, ... so self-less, ... and so loving.
Through her efforts, ... in 1924 .... President Coolidge ... designated the 3rd Sunday of June ... as "Father's Day."
And our nation has been celebrating it ... ever since. (Long Pause)
Dr. James Dobson, ... in his book, "Dare to Discipline," states, ... "Good fathers are made, .... not born."
Then he goes on to suggest three specific things ... that a father ... should keep in mind.
(1 Finger) First ... The understanding that ... Children often-times ... follow in the footsteps ...of their father.
During the earliest years of a child's life ... the child ... he or she ... usually spends a great deal of time ... with their mother.
But the passing years ... bring a change, ... and the father often becomes... the example in attitude and action ... that a child follows.
The example that a father sets about God, .... About The church, .... about spiritual things .... will make an "in-del-ible" impression ... upon a child's life.
And like it or not ... the Scriptures are clear ... that the father ... is called ... to be the spiritual leader ... in the home. (Pause)
(1 Finger) Children often-times follow in the footsteps of their father.
(2 Fingers) The 2nd thing we can do as fathers to help our children .... is to love their mother.
Next to a man's personal relationship with God, ... we as men ... should portray ...a deep love ... for our wives.
Paul shares what a godly Husband should be like to the believers gathered in Ephesus, Hear God's Word:
BIBLE "Husbands, love your wives, .... just as ... Christ loved the church ...and gave Himself up for her." END Ephesians 5:25
Beloved ... If there is that kind of love in the family, .... then that home is blessed indeed. (Pause)
(1 Finger) Children often-times follow in the footsteps of their father.
(2 Fingers) We as Father's are called ... to love their mother.
(3 Fingers) Thirdly, ... a Christian father will arrange to spend time ... with their children.
No matter how fathers try to escape it, .... the fact remains ... that ultimately .... we do control our time .... and how ... we spend it.
I can state ... without reservation .... that being a good father ... and being a good husband ... is one of the most challenging responsibilities ... we will ever face.
And most men .... even those who may have had a poor or harmful experience with their own father ... Want to be a good father ... to their children.
But to be a good father ... you need a model, .... an example ... that you can pattern yourself ... after.
Where do you find ... such an example?
Where do you look ... for such a father?
Is there such a thing ... as a perfect father?
The answer is Yes, .... So ... what we can learn about being a father .... by looking at God the Father, .... the perfect Father. (Pause)
God the Father ... loves His children.
There are many scriptures ... that speak to God's love for His children.
Let us look at two:
From John's Epistle, "We love .... because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 REPEAT
And again, in Romans ... Hear God's Word. BIBLE "But God demonstrates His own love for us.... in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." END Romans 5:8
God did not wait for us ... to meet ... His expectations.
He did not wait for us .... to make Him ... proud.
He did not wait for us .... to measure up ... to His standards.
He simply loved us .... And He loved us ... first.
God's love for us is complete, ... it is constant, ... and it is .... Part of his very nature.
We cannot earn it. ...... We cannot escape it. ......We cannot erase it.
He may be angry when we disobey Him, .... saddened when we stray from Him, .... sorrowful when we sin against Him, .... yet He will never, ...ever ... stop loving us.
Take Heart Beloved ... For Nothing Can separate us from the Love of God.
Hear God's glorious promise, BIBLE "I am convinced that neither death nor life, ... neither angels nor demons, ... neither the present nor the future, ... nor any powers, ... neither height nor depth, ... nor anything else in all creation, ... will be able to separate us from the love of God ... that is in ... Christ Jesus our Lord." END (Romans 8:38-39)
Yes, ... God loves His children .... and as fathers .... And as grandfathers ... We also should portray this complete love ... to our children ... and to our grandchildren.
God the Father ... Loves His Children ... and He is also quick to .... encourage His children. (Long Pause)
And ... I learned that ... the hard way.
As a father ... you want the best for your children ... you want them to succeed.
To succeed ... at everything they do.
Kristin ... our first born .... was extremely motivated.
When she was told ... there was something that she probably would not be able to accomplish.
Well ... she would ... press on ... and do whatever it took ... to make it happen.
I tried this same approach with our second child.
Our son Justin ... through grade school had wonderful report cards.
When 7th grade ... junior high came ... his grades began to slip ... and I would ride him ... and to be honest ... I became extremely critical ... of his commitment ... to his schoolwork.
Shortly after school was completed that year ... my wife Lee came to me ... and said you need to get right ... with your son ... you need to spend time together ... and work this out.
So that summer ... we spent a week together fishing ... in Canada.
Something that we had done as a family ... in the past.
I know Lee was praying for both of us ... during that week.
And one evening ... while I stood under the stars looking toward the heavens ... God made it clear to me ... that I as a father ... Am called to be a light of encouragement ... especially to my family.
We had a wonderful time together in Canada ... it was a week ... with my son ... that I will always cherish.
Lee shared with me ... a few days after we got home ...that she had asked Justin ... how things were with your Dad?
His response was ... "Dad's my best friend". (Pause)
Yet I am sure that I have left scars on his life.
Each child or grandchild that God gives us ... is unique.
Justin ... needed an encouraging father ... and with encouragement ... he did well.
I had to be ... a light of encouragement. (Pause)
And our God ... speaks of encouragement ...throughout the Scriptures.
He encouraged Moses ... at the burning bush .... when He told him ... to deliver the nation of Israel.
He encouraged Joshua ...... as Joshua set out to conquer the Promised Land.
He not only encouraged them with His words, .... but with His presence, .... and His ... assistance.
Remember God's words to Joshua:
BIBLE "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you ... wherever you go." END Joshua 1:9
God encouraged Joshua ... and in turn the people ... to move forward ... and receive the blessing.
Sadly, .... many parents ... and grandparents, .... even those that call themselves followers of the Christ...., are more prone to send messages laced with criticism .... than with encouragement.
And we each need to be careful ... I need to be careful ... to be an encourager and not one seeking perfection in our children and grandchildren.
Beloved It is so important ... to watch our words.
In the letter to the Believers gathered in Ephesus the apostle Paul challenges us, BIBLE "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, .... but only what is helpful ... for building others up ... according to their needs, ... that it may benefit those ... who listen." END Ephesians 4:29
God the Father Loves His Children.... He Encourages His Children ... and Lastly, ... God disciplines His children. (Pause)
Recently I heard a story about triplets, ... 3 young boys ... who got along pretty well.
They saw everything alike.
They were loyal to each other.
If one got into trouble .... they would not tell on the other.
A neighbor asked the father, .... "How in the world do you know ... which one to punish?"
He said, .... "It's easy. ..... I just send all three to bed without their supper.
And the next morning I spank the one with the black eye." (Pause)
Now ... I do not necessarily share his method of determining ... the guilty party.
But this I do know: ... Beloved ... Our God is good.
Our God is a loving father. .... He is a perfect father.
His intentions and his actions are never evil ... they are never ... unloving.
Yet .... He disciplines ... His children.
He does not discipline ... in spite of His goodness, .... He disciplines ... because of His goodness.
He does not discipline in spite of His love, .... He disciplines .... because of His love.
The Scriptures share this truth: BIBLE "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, ... so the Lord your God disciplines you." END (Deuteronomy 8:5)
The writer of Hebrews concurs BIBLE "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while ... as they thought best; ...but God disciplines us for our ... good, ... that we may share ... in His holiness." END (Hebrews 12:10-11),
In the light of God's love, ... encouragement ... and discipline, .... we father's must understand that it is our responsibility .... To Bring our children up ... in the training ... and instruction ... of the Lord.
Acknowledging and worshiping God ... ought to be ingrained ... within us.
Throughout Scripture we are instructed to teach our children ... as we sit down ... and as we stand up, ...As we walk along ... and as we lie down, (Deuteronomy 11:19-20)
To pass on from one generation to the next ...... the instructions of God .... so that they will not be stiff necked ... and rebellious.
We are to pass on the rich heritage ... of the faith ... to our children.
And to their children's children .... from one generation to another.
In Ephesians and again in Colossians - Paul shares the word that he received from the Lord concerning children and their parents.
He writes:
BIBLE "Children, obey your parents in the Lord .... for this is right. Honor your mother and father .... which is the first Commandment with a promise .... that it may go right with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." END (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Then he writes: "Fathers, do not provoke your children - do not exasperate your children - instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Colossians 3:21)
These words are surely inspired.
Do not provoke, .... do not (ex-as-per-ate) your children.
That is .... do not break your promises ....... do not neglect them ... or mindlessly indulge their every whim ... so that they lose ... all respect for you.
Instead .... bring them up in the training ... and instruction ... of the Lord.
We are to be a people of reconciliation and be obedient to our Lord's commands ... to his followers:
Hear our Lord's Words: BIBLE "Be merciful ... even as your Father (in Heaven) is merciful." END (Luke 6:36)
Be merciful and allow Jesus to be your guide your compass.
There is a gift of a compass for each father that I encourage you to keep close.
With Jesus as your true north and Guide ... you always find your way ... to the father.
Some time ago ... I heard a touching story .... about a humble, ... consecrated pastor ... whose young son had become.... Extremely ill.
After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, ...the father was told the shocking news... that his son ... had a terminal illness.
The youngster knew Christ ... as his Savior ... and his Lord, ... so the minister knew ...that death would usher his son ...into Glory.
But he wondered how to inform one...... in the bloom of youth ... that he soon .... would die.
After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, ......he went with a heavy heart ...through the hospital ward ... to his son's bedside.
First .... he read a passage of Scripture.... and had a time of prayer .... with his son.
Then he gently told him .... that the doctors could promise him ......only a few more days.
"Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my son?" ...asked his devout father.
Blinking away a few tears, .... the little fellow said bravely.
"No, ... not if He's like you, Dad!" (Long Pause)
(Slow) O' Beloved, ... the best thing that we can do for ourselves ... our children ... our grandchildren ... is for each of us ......to personally be right with God ... and to walk in the way ... of the Lord.
To never be satisfied ...... but to continually seek to be transformed .... into the image of Jesus.
To finish this marathon of life ... the race laid before us ... and Beloved ... may you finish it ... well.
Amen and Amen!
(Another Illustration Below)
This Message is based on a Sermon by Melvin Newland titled "I'm Glad There Is A Father's Day!" and I commend it to you.
Help: I retired in November 2017 and am attempting to supplement my income by sharing on Sermoncentral. If this Message has been helpful to you, please consider a nominal donation: Send to The Rev. Jeff Smead 11725 Regent Park Drive Chardon Ohio 44024. (Write on the Memo line - Pastor Smead). Blessed To Be A Blessing.
Dear Reader: So I can better help you, if this Message was not helpful and you rated it low, Please let me know what it lacked or why it was not helpful. You can search by contributor Smead (Constructive Criticism is very helpful) and contact me there. Blessings In Christ Jeff
(1 Illustration)
A gentleman shared this story about his Childhood.
He said that as a little boy ... he failed a test in math.
And, the teacher wrote a note and sent it home with him.
It said, "Your son does not have an aptitude for mathematics. ...... He just cannot handle math."
Well, ... his mom and dad sat him down ... and told him, exactly what the teacher had said...... "You just don't have an aptitude for math."
"So, from then on ... he said I flunked every test in math,".
"I never could do anything ... in math."
"Then one day a teacher put a problem on the board ... and asked the class to solve it.
But no one could figure out ... the answer.
I looked at the problem and suddenly realized .... that I knew the answer.
So, ... I held up my hand .... everyone laughed because they knew .... I could not possibly solve it."
"But I walked up to the blackboard, .... worked out the problem, .... And came up with ... the right answer.
Then I realized ... that it was not my lack of aptitude at all.
It was just that everyone told me ... I could not do math, ...... And because I believed it...I did not even try." (Pause)
