A Father's Advice

A Father’s Advice

Griffith Baptist Church – 6/15/08

A.M. Service

Text: 1 Kings 2:1-4

Key verse: 1 Kings 2:2 - I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man;

The Introduction

The bride was very nervous. It was right before the wedding and she wasn’t sure she could even walk down aisle. So her father gave her some words of wisdom. He said to her. “There’s only three things you need to focus on. If you focus on these three things, you’ll be fine. The first is walking down the aisle. Just focus on walking down the aisle of the church. I know it’s rather long, but just concentrate on that. Don’t get caught up with those on either side of the aisle. Just focus on getting to the end of the aisle. Next, focus on the altar. It is your destination today. Make your way down the aisle to the altar. There you will stand before God with the man you love and will make vows to God and him. Focus on the altar –for the altar represents the love God has for you in Jesus Christ. Lastly, focus on the hymn just before signing of the Register. In poetry and song, the hymn embodies God’s love for you in Christ, your love for your husband and his love for you. So, to help you not be so nervous, focus on those three things. Walking down the AISLE, Standing before the ALTAR and Listening to the HYMN. The bride was very thankful to her Dad for his words of advice. The family and friends gathered watched as she walked down the aisle. They saw the look of calm on her face. But as she passed them, they began to chuckle quietly. For along with the look of calm, she was mumbling three words over and over again to help calm her nerves. “Aisle, Altar, Hymn… Aisle, Altar, Hymn… Aisle, Altar, Hymn.”

Advice is very important and seldom given anymore.

It isn’t that advice is not always good but it isn’t always welcome

Advice is not only given in words but in our walk.

A father’s counsel to His children is the most precious gift, outside of salvation, that any man can give.

How you live, not just the words you say or the commands you give, will teach your children.

There are three wise counsels, or precious jewels of advice that David gives Solomon.

Transition Statement: First wise counsel is this, Live a life your children can model.

Body

1. Live A Life Your Children Can Model (2)

A. Strength of character (be strong)

i. "Character is like the foundation of a house. Most of it is below the surface."

ii. We need to teach our children strength of character:

a. We are raising a generation of children who know nothing of character

b. They have fathers who are worthless and absent

c. A cover article in the February 27 issue of U. S. News & World Report concluded that: Dad is destiny. More than any other factor, a father’s presence in the family will determine a child’s success and happiness.” The article noted that nearly two out of every five children in America do not live with their fathers. New Man, May/June 1995, p. 10

d. Families are failing because fathers are failing their families

iii. For the Christian father, it is all about God - Psalms 27:14 – Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. and Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

iv. Character is built through facing life with God leading the way – Romans 5:1-5 - 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

v. You have to be strong even when it is not popular

a. Every man ought to be a minister in his own home – 1 Thessalonians 2:11 – As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (spoken to a minister comparing it to a father) and Ephesians 6:4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (a minister is to nurture or instruct [2nd Tim. 3:16] and admonish or warn [1st Thess. 5:12])