God's Instructions For Fathers

God’s Instructions for Fathers

Various scripture within the text for each point

Intro: Three boys in the schoolyard were bragging about who had the better father:

The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him $100.”

The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, and they give him $1000.”

The third boy says, “My Dad is ever better than that. He scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon, and it takes 6 or 8 men just to collect all the money!”

. Young ones are usually proud of their dad’s aren’t they.

. One day mother chanced by the nursery and noticed her husband standing in rapt contemplation by the crib of his sleeping son. Silently, she watched him for a awhile, wondering what thoughts raced through his mind as he looked at his own flesh and blood asleep in the crib. At last she slipped into the room and put her arm through his and asked "What are you thinking of, dear?" He came to with a start. "Oh, I was just wondering how in the world they can make a crib like this for $24.95."+

. Sometimes dads see things form a different perspective.

. You know there are shelves in book stores just full of opinions on how to be a good parent and especially a good dad. As I studied and meditated and prayed through a sermon for Fathers Day I realized that the only instruction book we need is God’s word.

. The bible has much to say about being a good father. I would like to share a few of them with you this morning,

. Number 1, Love your Wife

. Look at eph 5:25-28: 25For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the bchurch. He gave up his life for her26to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.27He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.28In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies.

. Men, your children watch how you treat their mother.

. They learn how to love by watching how you love.

. If they see you show disrespect for your wife … your son will carry that into his marriage.

. If you verbally or mentally or physically abuse your wife … your daughter will expect that in her marriage.

. If you treat their mother like she isn’t worth very much … you are degrading the home, the family, and marriage … which they will carry into their future homes, families & marriages.

BUT …

.If they visibly see you show love and respect to their mother … your son will learn how to be a good husband and father himself.

. If you honor your wife … your daughter will never be satisfied with a man who dishonors her.

. If you cherish their mother as a valuable part of not only your life, but their life … they will carry that model with them for the rest of their lives.

. I watched a family disintegrate in front of my eyes and I believe that it started with how the husband treated the mother and allowed the children to mimic Him.

. Sadly those children are grown now and the scenario is repeating itself in the lives of the grown children.

. Fathers and husbands, Love your Wife.

. Number 2: Don’t Expect Perfect Children

. Col. 3:21 says; Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

. Just like there are no perfect fathers … there are no perfect children … AMEN?

.Fathers, don’t EXPECT your children to be perfect. Don’t expect them to meet all of your expectations … to fulfill all of your goals for them … to be what you want them to be.

.Too many fathers try to live out their own lives through their children. They want their sons to be the football stars that they could never be. They want their daughters to marry into money & success that they never achieved.

.Every child is different … they are not a clone of you (Thank God!). It’s natural for a child to make mistakes … spill their milk … accidentally break things … do poorly on a test … get angry …

.They’re not perfect … like YOU were when you were a kid! ACCEPT your children for who they are … whether they are clumsy or athletic … scatterbrained or brainy … shy or a motor-mouth … goofy or sophisticated …