Honouring Fathers

Introduction: Today is Father’s Day and a special time to pause and honour our fathers: these very special people in our lives and families. I want to use this opportunity to challenge men to be the servant leaders, the prophets, priests and kings in the homes. To be men of integrity, rising boldly in their anointing and God given role in the homes, church and workplace.

I The Command: Honour your Father

i) The 5th Commandment: After 4 commands dealing with our relationship with God. This is the first commandment dealing with our relationships with each other. It has to do with our parents.

ii) The first and only command with a promise: All other commands are unconditional. Only this command offers a specific promise of blessing: that it may go well with you and you may live long (Eph 6:3)

iii) How do we honour? When we are young we have to obey. When we are older we show honour differently: respect, support, greetings, gifts, cards, calls.

iv) Cost of dishonouring: 1) Prodigal son (Luk 15), give me my share of the estate, equivalent of saying I wish you were dead! This led him on a downward journey that ended in poverty and misery. 2) Absalom (2Sa 16) dishonoured his father David by rebelling against him, driving him out of the city, sleeping with his concubines. He was defeated and died untimely.

II The Model: Our Heavenly Father

i) Models in the Bible: Some good some not so good: David was an indulgent father to Absalom, made concessions that backfired. Job was an over-careful father, offering sacrifices every time his children had a party. Jacob had favourites among his children, this led to jealousy and his son Joseph being sold into slavery.

ii) God becomes Father when we are born-again: He is creator God for the world but becomes our heavenly father when we are saved. Our spirits cry out Abba Father! (Rom 8:15, Gal 4:6).

iii) Jesus is revelation of Father God: If you have seen me you have seen the father.

III The Need: Fathers in the Faith

i) Many guardians: 1Co 4:15, there is a big difference between guardian and father. The need is for fathers in the faith.

ii) Father Abraham: Our father of faith is a good example. Gen 18:19, Abraham chosen to direct his children and household. In doing this God would fulfill his promises to him to make him into a great nation, c.f., Joh 15:14. Even when childless, he had 318 trained men in his household (Gen 14:14). We are called to make disciples of all nations.

iii) A full quiver: Psa 127:5 talks of a man being blessed if he has many sons. A full quiver is 6. Jesus had two quivers: 12. The G-12 vision is for us to make 12 disciples.

IV The Challenge: Fathers of Promise

Let us be men of God committed to the task God has given us:

1) Keep our promises: to God, spouse, family. 2) Know our God and do exploits Dan 11:32. 3) Take up your role as spiritual leader – don’t abdicate to wives.

Conclusion:

Rom 8:19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Will the godly fathers rise up to their call to be honoured fathers, model fathers, fathers in the faith and fathers of promise?