Fathers Series

22, September 2002

Dakota Community Church

All The Kings Men

Part: 3 – Fathers

Introduction:

TRUTH:

If the role of husband is the most important one you will play this side of heaven then the role of “dad” is definitely #2

What if you don’t like this series and you want to be free from God’s requirements?

Psalm 2:2-4

2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

You do not break Gods word – you break yourself on it!

Quote:

A positive and continuous relationship to one’s father has been found to be associated with a good self-concept, higher self- esteem, higher self-confidence in personal and social interaction, higher moral maturity, reduced rates of unwed teen pregnancy, greater internal control and higher career aspirations. Fathers who are affectionate, nurturing and actively involved in child rearing are more likely to have well- adjusted children. Dr. George Rekers

What do I have to do to be the father God calls me to be?

Provide!

1Timothy 5:8

8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1. PROVIDE SPIRITUAL COVERING.

Enter into covenant with your children. Let them know that no matter what you will always love them and be there for them. -Prodigal Son

Titus 1:6-9

6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

a. Make covenant with them.

b. Enforce Christ’s victory over Satan.

c. Supply resources for growth. – (Reading outside school)

d. Encourage growth! Teach them don’t shelter them.

Ill.

An Open Letter to Family Men: She was blond and beautiful, with azure eyes and a tumble of tawny curls. At three years of age, she would climb into her daddy’s lap, snuggle up with a wide, satisfied smile, and purr, "This is my safe place!" And so it was. Dads, YOU are the "safe place." You are our protector and provider. And when you gather us for a time with God, we need a safe place. A safe place, not a lecture. A safe place, not a sermon. A very human dad who simply cares about God and us. We don’t need or even want a "spiritual giant." We just want you. And we need a gathering time where it’s safe to say to each other, "How are you and the Lord getting along?" "How can we pray today?" We need a safe place to cry laugh, sing, rejoice, challenge, share, and sometimes not to share and have it be okay. We need a time with you that’s relaxed--unstiff, when we can pray honestly, in simple sentences, from our hearts. Unfixed. Unrigid. Unroutine. Unshackled. We need a place where irregular opinions are respected, and where God has the last word. We need a gentleman leader, not a general. Gracious. Relaxed. Human. A family shepherd who exhibits not infallible authority, but a thirst for God. Every day? Not necessarily. Often? Yes. Long? No. Where? Anywhere. How? Sense where we’re at, and zero in. We may need heavy-duty confessing to each other and to God...silent prayer...exuberant praise ...Bible study. But not every time. Thanks for listening, Dad. Remember, we need you. Your family.

2. PROVIDE GUIDANCE BY EXAMPLE.

Colossians 2:20

21Fathers do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

- Set correct priorities.

- Model the behavior you desire. (You will get whatever behavior you model.)

- Pray first for every situation. (Sickness, school trouble, attitude etc.)

Stat.

One startling bit of research conducted by the Christian Business Men’s Committee found the following: When the father is an active believer, there is about a seventy-five percent likelihood that the children will also become active believers. But if only the mother is a believer, this likelihood is dramatically reduced to fifteen percent.

Quote.

"Men have to be persuaded that bringing up children is a very important part of their life. Motherhood has been praised to the skies, but the greatest praise men can give to that role is for them to share in doing it." Ruth Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court Justice.