Choosy Fathers, Choose Jesus

CHOOSY FATHERS, CHOOSE JESUS

JOSHUA 24:14-18

Text: 24:15

(v. 15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Before we get started, I just want to put you on notice that I am going to do things a little bit different this morning.

You see -- Usually the pattern in most of our churches, is to exalt (or praise) motherhood on Mother’s Day and beat up (or criticize) Fathers on Father’s Day. It never ceases to amaze me how whenever there is a male function of some sorts in the church, people look for ways to remind men of all of their shortcomings.

You see -- we preachers are no exception; we usually join the fray by chewing the dads out for not spending enough time with the family, or for being spiritual deadbeats. And when we do so, I find it amazing as to how we have the audacity to come to Church the following Sunday and complained about the lack of male presence.

Sorry brothers, I really don’t want to break that tradition, and besides I am a preacher, so let’s get that ritual over with. Brothers, I say brothers spend more time with your family and don’t be a spiritual wimp -- be the head of your home. Whew, I feel better now, don’t you?

Now, if you don’t mind, as I said in the outset, I’m going to do things just a little bit different this morning. If you don’t mind, I’d like to preach one of those uplifting "Mother’s Day" sermon for our Fathers.

Why? Because I believe that being a Christian Father is one of the highest callings any man can ever achieve in his life.

But before I preach -- I would like to give you brief history lesson about Father Day.

While preparing this sermon, I discovered that the idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. Yes, a woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her.

It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Her father was born in June, so naturally she chose to hold the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th day of June 1910. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.

So now you know -- and now that you know I would like to go on record this morning to say that a CHRISTIAN FATHER is one of the most unsung, upraised, unnoticed, and unappreciated heroes of all times.

In fact one little boy defined Father’s Day best -- when he said that Father’s Day was just like Mother’s Day, the only difference is that you don’t spend as much money on the gift -- most of you men would agree with me when I say, what gift.

I read a statistic that stated that the greatest numbers of long distance phone calls are made on Mother’s Day; however, the largest number of collect calls are made on Father’s Day.

Someone wrote these humorous words entitled “The World According to Dad.” These are words that most dads have said at some time or another to their children -- So dads listen up and see if these saying describe you:

· This is going to hurt me -- more that it is going to hurt you.

· Be quiet, I’m trying to watch the game

· Bring back my change

· Ask your mother

· What do you think I’m made of?

· You want me to take you where?

· You ya’ll don’t understand, when I was your age I walked five miles to and from school and it was uphill both ways.

· Turn them lights off -- you don’t pay no bills around here

· Alright now -- if you break your leg, don’t come running to me

· Get down before you kill yourself -- on second thought go ahead

· Why -- because I said so

· Just wait until you have some kids of your own

· Better yet -- just wait until I home

· And last but not least -- shut up before I give you something to cry about