Fathers Day

Learning a Legacy from Biblical Fathers

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

What makes a person a good dad? When we think about the ideal father, we think of a person who is loving, kind, and filled with empathy and compassion. The person who is consistently available to show us he cares not only by his words “I love you” but also by willfully and joyfully getting involved in our lives. It is in the walks in the parks, the singing songs by a campfire, fishing trips, musical jamborees, and the family decorating the Christmas tree that results in us having found of memories of the person we call dad. Is it not the man who picked us up, bandaged our scraped knees, and reassured us that yes, we would soon be able to ride our bikes safely and effortlessly that we with great pride and joy, call our father? Are not the men who goes to countless hockey, basketball, football games, dance, and music recitals that makes their love for their children the most apparent to them? Surely the man who treats his wife with respect, kindness and love goes a long way towards creating an environment that enables our children to feel safe to explore this strange world that can be at times quite challenging and frightening. A great dad is strong, filled with wisdom, compassion, and empathy for he too knows what it is like to think that failure is one’s inevitable destination when it is but a mere steppingstone of learning and success. While many people say that since every child is different none of them ever comes with a handbook; I would disagree for the Bible is a beautiful love letter from our Creator explaining His expectations on how we are to rightly raise the children that He has entrusted to our care! The following sermon is not going to review all the attributes of being a great dad but will review six fathers mentioned in the Bible to outline six does and don’t lessons of raising children rightly in the eyes of our heavenly Father.

Lesson 1: The Compass (Noah)

If one is to successfully navigate through the challenges that comes from raising our children to be righteous while living in a fallen world, then one will need the right compass! One almost gets whip lash to read at the end of Genesis chapter one that “God said all He made was very good” (31) and then just seven to ten genealogies later to read that “the Lord saw how great the wickedness of humans had become on the earth and He regretted making human beings (6:5-6)! You think it is hard to live in this “ME” generation and think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8), imagine what it must have been like for Noah to raise his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth in the ways of the Lord that all others had rejected! There would have been great pressure for Noah to conform the ways of this world for in “not belonging” to this world he invited great ridicule (John 15:19) upon himself and his children! Anyone can handle momentary criticism but it likely took Noah about 55 to 80 years to build the ark … that is a lot of years of harsh criticism! Dad it is impossible to raise your children to be right in God’s sight based on your own strength and definition of what is right but with the Bible, Holy Spirit and prayer as your compass the narrow path God wants both you and your children to take (Matthew 7:13-14) is not only clear but easily traversed. Like Noah, show your children how much God means to you by living His word and rejoicing in His blessings not only in the good but bad times as well. And when you do not know what is the “right” path to take may your children see you on your knees looking up to the Lord who gives you wisdom, strength, truth, and courage to follow in His footsteps …for where He leads you will follow!

Dad may your children never see you conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:1-2) but instead see you inviting the Potter to transform your mind into the image in which you were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:13-14)!

Lesson 2: Course Corrections (Manasseh)

Dad no matter how badly you fall short of God’s glory, and we all do from time to time, show your children how important it is to offer your Creator a contrite and broken heart to be forgiven! When Manasseh was just twelve years old, he became king of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:1). His dad, Hezekiah, was a good role model who “did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God” (31:20). Even when pride was found in his heart he repented, and God’s wrath did not fall upon him (32:26). In thinking it was not worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, His son, Manasseh however chose to be like those in Noah’s time for every inclination of his heart was pure evil! He rebuilt the high places his Father Hezekiah had demolished, erected altars to the Baals, made Asherah poles, bowed to the stary hosts and worshipped them (33:3), sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Gen Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, consulted mediums and spiritists (33:6), and even had a foreign image placed in the Lord’s very own temple (33:7)! So, what could we ever possibly learn about being a good dad from such an evil king … plenty! First Dad be very careful to always obey the Lord. The mighty arm of God’s wrath of discipline is to be greatly feared. Just ask Manasseh who was defeated by the king of Assyria, had a hook placed in his nose, bound with bronze shackles, and taken to Babylon to a dungy prison (33:10-11)! Second, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven by He who is filled with grace and mercy (1 John 1:9)! Thankfully this story has a happy ending. Manasseh greatly humbled himself and sought the favor of the Lord and as a result was not only forgiven but allowed to return to Jerusalem to reign again (33:12-13). And lastly, it is never too late to pick up God’s compass and make even 180-degree course corrections in your life.