The Legacy of the F.A.T.H.E.R. (Father’s Day 2007)
1 Thes 2:10-12
Introduction
Today is a special day in which we set aside this time to honor our Fathers
Most Father’s Day messages “beat up” on Dads while mother’s day messages are warm and fuzzy
Well, Dad’s, relax because this one is hopefully one that will make you feel good and not beat up
The approach that I am taking this morning is more from my personal experience in trying to understand that my role as a father is ever-changing as my children grow
Whenever they were younger…I was the Dad that was “stronger than metal” and could not be defeated by anyone or anything
Of course, now that they are older…the ugly truth has been revealed that I am really a weak vessel and at times struggle with defeat
I have a t-shirt that says “Fatherhood: the toughest job you’ll ever love” and it is true.
As my children grow, so must my role as a father…some of the characteristics that make up fatherhood have to change in order for me to be a good father to my girls and that can be very tough at times
However, I want to tell you that the most rewarding, most prestigious, most honoring position I have ever held or will ever hold is that of being a husband and a father
I have held my positions, taken on many roles and responsibilities, had many titles, but none have ever been more challenging or more rewarding than being a husband and a father
So today I want to talk about The Legacy of the FATHER. (acrostic)
When we all die, we will leave behind a legacy and the greatest legacy I could leave is being a loving father to my children.
Turn to 1 Thes 2:10-12 read together / pray
In my ever changing role as a Father, I thought about what each of the letters in FATHER might stand for…and the letter…
1. F – Farmer
FARMER! Bro Jimmy you must have lost your mind! How is a father a farmer?
Webster’s definition – one who works on a farm or cultivates land
Zechariah 13:5 He will say, ’I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.
Whenever you are raising your children…their minds, their spirit, their character, their faith, their emotions; are all fertile land just waiting to be cultivated with seed.
Dad’s hold in their hands the very seeds that get planted in their children’s lives both for positive and negative
There have been times I know I have planted wrong seeds; like criticism, doubt, fear, confusion, frustration
These are the weeds in my children’s life that I have planted and now have to be rooted out…how many of you know that some weeds are hard to get rid of?
Ephesians 6:4 says Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
But, I know I have also planted some good seed like love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, self-esteem, challenge, leadership, obedience, faithfulness, eternal life, servanthood, bible reading/studying; on and on
But, how many of you know that a farmer just doesn’t plant the crop and leave it…but it must be fertilized and cultivated…must be nurtured along
Yes Sir…Father’s truly are farmers as they have a direct impact in the things that are planted in their children’s lives…and they are farmers forever
Secondly, the next letter is…
2. A – Advisor
Webster’s definition – one who gives advice
As I have moved into the realm of being a father of adult children now…I find that I have to assume the role of being more of an advisor than a demander
Now that two of my girls are adults, now I am having to adapt to not being able to tell them what to do or not to do…but advising them on what they should or should not do
But it is up to them as to whether to accept or reject my advice
Prov 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Prov 24:6 for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.
My Dad told me, after my grandfather died, “I sure wish I could just pick-up the phone and ask his advice one more time”
Father’s are a great source to give advice in life’s situations…they have great experiences to share…to help their children have victory and success
The next role is the letter…
3. T – Teacher
Webster’s definition – one who teachers or instructs
Father’s are a wealth of “how to” do things…my Dad taught me how to fish, how to change the oil in my car, how to hunt, how to drive, how to reload ammunition, how to play ball, how to defend myself, and other things
Father’s are also teachers in “how to” live life…how to live for the Lord…how to have faith in the hard times…how to live out humility as they tell their children “I’m sorry…I was wrong”
Father’s teach forgiveness as they forgive others…fathers teach patience as they are patient with their children…
Most importantly, fathers teach their children about the God they serve…
Deut 6:1-3 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
The most valuable important thing I can teach my children in leaving behind my legacy is to teach them to love the Lord and to walk in His ways
3 John 4 says “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth”
Father’s are not only teachers but the fourth letter is…
4. H – Healer
Webster’s definition – a person skilled in a particular type of therapy
I like this definition because father’s can bring therapeutic healing
This one is pretty tough for me because it seems the older my children get, the harder it is for me to heal their boo boos
Little – I could protect them…control their environment…keep them out of harms way…and when they did get hurt
Scrape knee – kiss it – band-aid it – hug and caress them – make it all better
But now, they are subject to the cruelties of the world…the hurts and pains that penetrate their hearts…causing boo boos that I can’t heal quickly
But, I still have the role of being their healer…heal their hearts after a broken relationship…heal their wounds from being wronged in the work-place
Prov 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Prov 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
I am still there to caress and hug them but that is not enough at times…I pray for God to give me words of healing to help heal their wounds
Fathers never get out the role as healers
Fathers also take on the role of the next letter which is…
5. E – Encourager
Webster’s definition – to inspire with hope, courage, spirit, or confidence
I know when my girls were little…I always wanted to encourage them; to inspire them to excel; to help them to be successful and confident;
And as they grow older…the still need me to be that encourager in their lives
When things seem at there worst…to inspire hope in them that they can make it
To give them confidence through my own experiences as I share my success and failures
To always remind them that as long as we have Christ, we always have hope as we put our confidence in Him
Deut 3:28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."
Sometimes…just the words of encouragement from fathers can bring relief and peace
Job 16:5 But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Father’s are to be encouragers to their children throughout their entire lives
Lastly, the last letter of FATHER is…
6. R – Restorer
Webster’s definition - to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition
1 Kings 13:6 Then the king said to the man of God, "Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored." So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before.
There are going to be times when our children will need to be restored and they will need you to intercede on their behalf for restoration
Restoration can take on many forms in the lives of our children
Restore them back to a right relationship with you…many children do not have a good relationship with their father but it’s dad who should try to restore it
You say, “they have wronged me.” Let me take you to the story of the Prodigal son
Or to the story of Jesus and Peter…Jesus restored Peter even after he denied Him
Restore them back to some sense of normalcy when life gets out of whack
Try and guide them to be restored to a right relationship with God when they get off course…to intercede on their behalf to God
Father’s are called to be restorers in the lives of their children
CONCLUSION
Today is blessed day…it is for me because God has blessed me four times over to be a Daddy
I have no greater position and can have no more honor bestowed upon me than that of being a father
And Dad’s, you are special and your children need you actively involved in their lives…they need you to leave a legacy for them to follow and pass on to their children
We have seen today that Fathers are:
F-armers
A-dvisors
T-eachers
H-ealers
E-ncouragers
R-estorers
I hope you have a blessed day today and enjoy the blessing of being a FATHER!
Pray
