Dad, Your Greatest Responsibility

DAD, YOUR GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY!”

Lighthouse Worship Center - Father’s Day 09

“...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”

Joshua 24:15

INTRODUCTION:

No matter where you are in life, you have been affected in some way by a Father or a Father Figure. Yesterday, I spent some time with Juselin and accidently called Judy his mom. I apologized but he said, “Pastor, you could call them both my parents, my Dad & Mom since they raised me for the most part!”

So you see, there will always be someone in your life that will act as a Father figure, sometimes on purpose sometimes whether they know it or not.

What is a Father? That’s a loaded question. If I were to ask you that this morning I’d get as many different answers as there are people here!

I read one boy said of Father’s Day...

“IT’S THE SAME AS MOTHER’S DAY ONLY YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND AS MUCH MONEY!” (Now who thought that one up!)

On Father’s Day more “COLLECT CALLS” will be made than on any other day of the year! Thanks Dad!

Our society had cheapened Manhood & Fatherhood even more for many years now. I’ve seen in entertainment where most men are treated as idiots and morons!

Being a man in Scripture is a “HIGH CALLING & A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY!” What our society says about being a man is vastly different from what Scripture says about being a Man!

I want to share with you this morning about the “RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A FATHER!” THE “GREATEST RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A FATHER!”

My text says that Joshua spoke some immortal words that day on his deathbed! He spoke some immortal words that resonate loudly & clearly today as the day he spoke them.

“...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”

Joshua 24:15

Understand something Dad & Wives! When Joshua said this he was first and foremost a “MAN OF GOD”, Secondly, a “HUSBAND” and Thirdly a “FATHER!” IN THAT ORDER!

He made a decision that “HIS” household would abide by “HIS” words not only because HE WAS IN CHARGE, don’t get me wrong HE WAS IN CHARGE, but that was not the primary reason.

Was it because he was DAD? In that day & society DAD WAS THE MAN! He made the decisions & took the responsibility for those decisions!

Was it because he was a GODLY MAN? Don’t get me wrong HIM BEING A GODLY MAN HAD TREMENDOUS BEARING ON IT!

What was it that caused his family to be obedient to his words! IT ALL OF THESE THINGS BUT IT MOST OF ALL IT WAS BECAUSE

HE LIVED IT!

HE LIVED IT SPIRITUALLY,

HE LIVED IT HUSBANDLY

& HE LIVED IT FATHERLY!

MEN, YOU’LL NOT BE THE “SPIRITUAL LEADER” OF YOUR HOME ONCE IN A WHILE! YOU’LL BE THE “SPIRITUAL LEADER” IN YOUR HOME ALL THE TIME OR NOT AT ALL!

MEN, YOU HAVE A “RESPONSIBILITY” A “GODLY RESPONSIBILITY” TO BE THE “SPIRITUAL LEADER” OF YOUR HOME!

YOU HAVE A “RESPONSIBILITY” FIRST & FOREMOST TO “GOD’ THEN TO YOUR WIFE & CHILDREN!

I’VE TRIED TO BE THE “SPIRITUAL LEADER” OF MY HOME TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY! MANY TIMES I’VE MADE THE WRONG DECISIONS BUT NOT FOR THE LACK OF TRYING!

WOMEN! SOMETHING YOU NEED TO HEAR ALONG WITH THIS IS “YOUR RESPONSIBILITY” TO THE “SPIRITUAL LEADER” OF YOUR HOME!

“YOU” NEED TO ALLOW HIM TO BE THE “SPIRITUAL LEADER” OF THE HOME & CHILDREN!

IF YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING BEHIND HIS BACK WHEN HE MAKES A DECISION YOU DISAGREE WITH THEN “YOU’RE UNDERMINING” HIS “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY” IN THE EYES OF YOUR CHILDREN THEREBY “DIMINISHING” HIS “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY!”

THE MOST “FRUSTRATED WOMEN” I’VE SEEN AS A PASTOR ARE THE WOMEN LEADING THEIR HOMES SPIRITUALLY & OTHERWISE!

SOMETIMES THIS IS CAUSED BY “MEN WHO DON’T LEAD” & SOMETIMES THIS IS CAUSED BY “WOMEN WHO WANT TO LEAD” IN SPITE OF THEIR HUSBANDS & THIS CAUSES GREAT PROBLEMS IN THE MARRIAGE & HOME!

MEN YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY” & WOMEN YOU NEED TO ALWAYS ALLOW YOUR MAN TO HAVE THE “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY”

& MEN, IF YOU’RE GOING TO ASSUME THAT “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY” YOU BETTER HAVE “GODLY INSPIRATION & GUIDANCE” AT ALL TIMES!

“LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY” WILL ALWAYS BE TESTED FROM TIME TO TIME SO YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR “SPIRITUAL DUCKS IN A ROW” WHEN THAT HAPPENS!

Please, understand something about “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY” it is not without it’s “DIFFICULTIES” nor without it’s “SORROWS & HARDSHIPS!” BUT IT’S NOT ABOUT THOSE THINGS, IT’S ABOUT WHAT IS “RIGHT” IN THE EYES OF GOD!

IT’S ABOUT MEN LISTENING TO GOD & TO THEIR WIVES BUT ULTIMATELY “STANDING BEFORE GOD” IN RESPONSIBILITY OF DECISION MAKING IN THEIR HOMES!