Father’s Day Message
Today we are not going to review all the attributes of being a great dad, but we will review six fathers in the Bible and quickly review the do’s and don’ts of their life.
Dad #1 – NOAH (Do or Don’t?)
If you are to successfully navigate through the challenges that comes from raising children to be righteous while living in a fallen world, then one will need the right compass!
Genesis 1:31a (nlt) Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
Genesis 6:5-6 (nlt) The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.
John 15:19 (nlt) The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
Dad it’s impossible to raise your children to be right in God’s sight based on your own strength and your own definition of what is right and wrong.
But…
With the God’s Word, the Holy Spirit and Prayer as your compass, the narrow path God wants both you and your children is an easier road to travel.
Matthew 7:13-14 (nlt) You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
“DO” be like Noah – take God’s Word as your Compass!
Dad #2 – MANASSEH (Do or Don’t?)
Dad no matter how badly you fall short of God’s glory, show your children how important it is to offer your Creator a contrite and broken heart to be forgiven!
Reference 2 Chronicles 33
What could we ever possibly learn about being a good dad from such an evil king … plenty!
- Dad, be very careful to always obey the Lord.
- Dad, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven by He who is filled with grace and mercy!
- it is never too late to pick up God’s compass, and make a 180-degree course correction in your life.
“DON’T” live like Manasseh lived!
However, if you mess up – “DO” like Manasseh – make corrections and ask for forgiveness!
Dad #3 – ABRAHAM (Do or Don’t?)
Dad we often face decisions concerning our career and our children that are impossible to ensure a good outcome. There is simply no way of knowing what the future might bring!
- In moments like these the Bible tells us to…
Proverbs 3:5 (nlt) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding; Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
- While this sounds simple, it is often very difficult.
“DO” like Abraham, and allow your family to watch you trust the Lord with your future.
Dad #4 – ELI (Do or Don’t?)
Dad when your children wander away from the Lord, do not stand idly by – instead remind and discipline them!
Eli knew what his two sons were doing!
1 Samuel 2:22 (nlt) Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle
- Eli rebuked both his sons for their wickedness, but he refused to either discipline them and/or remove them from their priestly duties (2:22-25).
What Eli refused to do – God did by striking down both of his children in the prime of their lives
1 Samuel 2:30-34 (nlt) 30 “Therefore, the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me. 31 The time is coming when I will put an end to your family, so it will no longer serve as my priests. All the members of your family will die before their time. None will reach old age. 32 You will watch with envy as I pour out prosperity on the people of Israel. But no members of your family will ever live out their days. 33 The few not cut off from serving at my altar will survive, but only so their eyes can go blind and their hearts break, and their children will die a violent death. 34 And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to die on the same day!
“DON’T” be like Eli and refuse to discipline your children.
Dad #5 – JACOB (Do or Don’t?)
Dad love the children God has given you equally, without favoring one over the other.
Even though God used Joseph’s bleak circumstances to prepare him the way to become second in command of Egypt and save many lives (Genesis 41:41-43, 45:5), Jacob did much damage to his family for many years all because he favored one son over another.
“DON’T” be like Jacob and show favoritism to your children.
Dad/Father #6 – God (Do or Don’t?)
Dad if you are looking for a role model to emulate in raising your children then look up to your heavenly Father!
“DO” be like God and look to Him for directions on how to lead and love your family!
Encouragement for DADS
Like NOAH – May the Lord, His Word and His Spirit be your guiding compass in raising the children God has entrusted to your care.
Like MANASSEH – When you sin against God may you confess and get back onto the narrow path of righteousness.
Like ABRAHAM – When you do not know how to raise your children rightly, may you not turn to the world for advice, but to the known God of Israel and seek and obey His council.
Unlike ELI – May you discipline your children.
Unlike JACOB – May you not show favoritism, but instead love all your children equally and above all my God the Father always be the role model of the perfect dad you want to emulate.
Like GOD our Father – choose to emulate God, our Heavenly Father who, loves us unconditionally!
Trust in Jesus as your Savior!
Follow Him as your Lord!
