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Dads are a Big Deal
Father’s Day
1 Cor. 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1 Fathers sometimes get a bad rap. Churches sometimes spend Mother’s Day bragging on Mom and Father’s Day beating up on Dad.
2 One small boy said, “Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the gift.” May I speak for fathers everywhere when I say, “What gift?”
3 Mark Twain said, “When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years.”
4 Comedian Bill Cosby wrote, “Now that my father is a grandfather he just can’t wait to give money to my kids. But when I was a kid and I asked him for 50 cents, he would tell me the story of his life. How he got up at 5 a.m. when he was 7 years old and walked 23 miles to milk 90 cows. And the farmer for whom he worked had no bucket, so he had to squirt the milk into his little hand and then walk 8 miles to the nearest can. All for 5 cents. The result was I never got my 50 cents. But now he tells my children every time he comes into the house, ‘Well, let’s see how much money old Granddad has for his wonderful grandkids.’ And the minute they take money out of his hands I call them over to me and I snatch it away from them. Because that is my money!”
5 There are sayings we associate with our dads. Here are the top ten Dad quotes from the article “The World According To Fathers” …
o What part of “no” don’t you understand?
o This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.
o Why? Because I said so!
o I wasn’t asleep; I was just resting my eyes.
o Shut the door; were you born in a barn?
o A little dirt never hurt anyone.
o As long as you live under my roof, you’ll live by my rules.
o I’m not made out of money.
o Don’t make me stop this car!
o Ask your mother.
2 Jewish tradition insists that fatherhood is not necessarily biological. The one who raises a child is considered the true parent. Teachers are like fathers, so much so that their honor takes precedence especially in those situations where the father is only a biological relationship and it is the teacher who provides what a father should provide: guidance, values, discipline, direction and love.
3 In the first century, families were presided over by fathers who could do whatever they pleased in their homes. Rome had a law called patria potestas, which meant “the father’s power.” Men who were Roman citizens were given absolute rights over their families. By law, the children and the wife were regarded as the patriarch’s personal property, and he could do with them what he wished. A displeased father could disown his children, sell them into slavery, or even kill them if he wished.
When a child was born, the baby was placed between the father’s feet. If the father picked up the baby, the child stayed in the home. If he turned and walked away, the child was either left to die or sold at auction.
Seneca, a contemporary of the apostle Paul, described Roman policy with regard to unwanted animals: “We slaughter a fierce ox; we strangle a mad dog; we plunge a knife into a sick cow. Children born weak or deformed we drown.” Things are not much better today, are they? Millions of unwanted babies are aborted each year. Children have become a disposable commodity in our society, just as they were in Rome!
4 But the Bible calls Christian fathers to a different standard! Our kids are not property to own but image bearers of God who need to be trained. Dads, we are called to provide a proper nurturing environment where our kids can grow up to love and serve the Lord! It was counter-cultural in the first century, and it still is today!
5 The New Testament challenges us to see the word “father” as a verb not just a noun. It’s biologically easy to become a father, but biblically challenging to actually “father” our children. The Bible very clearly challenges dads to be the spiritual leader in their homes because the ultimate responsibility for what a family becomes belongs to the father. And the primary part of that responsibility is striking a balance between LOVE and DISCIPLINE.
6 Hebrews 12: 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
7 1 Thessalonians 2:11 (KJV) As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
8 Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
9 Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
10 In writing to the Corinthians, Paul compares his role as an apostle to the role filled by a dad. No one can take the unique place of dad!
11 1 Cor. 4:15 (KJV) For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
13 One of the biggest threats to the generation we are now raising is the breakdown of the family.
Lifelong marriages provide the foundation for social order; everything of value rest on those underpinnings. Historically, when the family begins to unravel in any culture, everything else is adversely affected.
15 70% of black babies and 20% of white babies born in North America are born out of wedlock. Most of them will never know their fathers – or a father’s love. Only 1/3 of children born in North America will live with both biological parents through age 18. How does this affect us?
16 85% of children with behavior disorders are from fatherless homes
17 71% of high school drop outs are from fatherless homes
18 70% of teen pregnancies are from fatherless homes
19 80% of rapists are from fatherless homes
20 75% of teen patients in drug abuse centers are from fatherless homes
21 70% of juveniles in correctional institutions are from fatherless homes
22 85% of youths in prison are from fatherless homes
23 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
24 Thirty years ago, we believed that poverty and racial discrimination were primarily responsible for juvenile crime and behavioral problems. Now, nearly all of the evidence points to family breakup as the real culprit, and predicts a societal catastrophe if we don’t turn this trend around! 72% of North Americans say the physical absence of fathers is the most serious problem facing our families.
25 How can you buck the trend? By committing your life totally to Christ and raising your family to do the same!
26 Christian fathers do not lie, steal, lust and covet! Christian fathers do not serve the god of money! Christian fathers do not sire and then abandon their children! Christian fathers do not cheat on their wives!
Christian fathers don’t send their kids to church, they take them! Christian fathers have a REAL relationship with God!
The greatest need of the hour is united homes where Christ is exalted!
27 Many of you were raised in homes where this was NOT the case, but the Bible has special value for you since it shows us an IDEAL father – God Himself!
Matt. 7: 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Many miss the fact that we must 1st be born again to receive God’s blessings.
John 15: 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Gal. 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The Story of Jairus, Mark 5:22-24, 35-42
1. He was the father of a young daughter.
2. His daughter was in urgent need, due to a severe illness.
3. He pleaded earnestly for her to Jesus.
4. He exhibited great faith on her behalf, Matthew 9:18; Mark 5:40.
5. Jesus answered by miraculously raising the girl from the dead.
C. The Story of the Father of a Deaf-Mute, Epileptic Son, Mark 9:17-27
1. His son was in great need.
2. The father had faith to come to Jesus and His disciples.
3. That faith was initially disappointed because the disciples could not do anything.
4. Even so, the father asked for an increase of faith, Mark 9:23-24.
5. Jesus answered by miraculously healing the son.
D. Appeal
1. Fathers: It is time to believe God for your family and intercede for your family.
2. Everyone:
Ps. 68: 4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.s
If you have faith, God will work in your life. If you think you are lacking in faith, call out to the Lord anyway and ask Him to increase your faith.
