I. Introduction:
When a unit downrange in Iraq or Afghanistan goes on a patrol outside the wire they have a patrol brief that is given so that everyone on that team knows what is going on. The patrol brief has many elements to it but today we are going to look at 3 basic elements. The first is the enemy situation the environment or conditions the team is likely to encounter during the patrol. Secondly, a roll call is done for accountability and personnel are briefed on their specific role within the patrol. Thirdly, they are given the anticipated end state which is what should be accomplished at completion of the mission. This morning the Lord will be giving us our spiritual patrol brief. He will identify the situation and environment we are likely to encounter. He will identify His team and provide each with a specific role. And lastly, He will tell us what the end state should be when the mission is accomplished.
II. Point 1 – The Situation and Environment
a. The days are evil
b. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. It is a spiritual battle.
c. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, ( 1 Peter 5:8-9)
d. Examples of moral decay – 50% of 1st marriages end in divorce
60% of 2nd marriages end in divorce
70-75% of 3rd marriages end in divorce
Divorce is readily available and socially acceptable. Instead of honoring the vows we take during our wedding ceremony “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health till death do us part” and making the relationship work many choose to give up when life gets difficult.
before marriage has become the social norm. Waiting until marriage is considered old fashioned and out dated.
Increase in living together before getting married. The success rate of those living together who actually get married is the same as 2nd marriages – 60% end in divorce.
Same marriages is gradually being accepted.
Be wise and alert. Make no mistake about it. Our battle is a spiritual battle and the enemy, Satan is alive and well and he is chewing away deceptively at our morality.
But the Lord Almighty has created a team to be on constant patrol.
III. Point 2 – The Team – do the roll call (Father, Husband, Mother, Wife, Son, Daughter)
The team the Lord is sending out into the world is the family. He has chosen each one of you to make a difference for him in this world. You are specifically chosen, you are specifically called, you are specifically equipped with gifts and talents he wants you to use for His glory and the benefit of others. You are responsible for carrying out your role. Whether or not you perform your role is not dependent upon your other teammates performing their role. You are to execute your role “as unto the Lord” in obedience and reverence. This is your spiritual act of worship.
a. Father
i. You are accountable to God for everything that goes on in your household. God has chosen you to be the human, “in the flesh” example of servant leadership. We are not to Lord our “head of the household” position over anyone. If we are than it shows that we do not have an understanding of servant leadership.
ii. Many people say that they did not have a father growing up so they do not have a good example of what a good father should look like. Your primary relationship in life must be God the Father. In Him we have the perfect example of a father. We see His loving patience with His children as we continually stray away in our own sin. We see how His love for us is truly unconditional. He continually teaches us,
continually loves us, continually forgives us and gave His all for us. He always has our best interests in mind.
iii. Husband love your wife by giving yourself up for her. Sacrificially meet her needs. Do you know what her needs are? Do you want to know what her needs are? She needs to be loved by you. She needs to know that the relationship is secure. She needs to know that you will always be there for her and the family and that you will not give up. She needs to know that you respect her and the things she does for you and the family. She needs to be encouraged by you and built up. She needs to know that you are spiritually grounded and that you are maintaining your relationship with God so that you can become the man, husband and father that the Lord desires for you to be.
iv. Teach children the ways of the Lord. Be an example to them of servant leadership. Be an example for your daughters showing them the kind of qualities they should look for in a husband. Be an example for your sons showing them what servant leadership in the home looks like. Be patient with them when you correct them. Let them know that they are a gift from God. Tim Russert, Host of NBC’s Meet the Press, died Friday of a heart attack at the age of 58. He wrote a book about his relationship with his dad called Big Russ & Me: Father and Son, Lessons of Life. A few months after the book came out Tim Russert was home for Thanksgiving in 2004 and as he was loading up the car to go back to the airport. Tim Russert wrote in his next book, “as long as I can remember, Dad and I had always parted with a handshake and a half hug. But this time he gave me a huge bear hug and he said softly, “I love you” – something I had never heard him say before. I was 54 years old and all I could think was, Boy I wish I had written this book thirty years earlier. His father had never told him “I love you” before that point. I’m sure he showed his love for Tim in many ways by taking care of him and working two jobs to provide for the family. Do not underestimate the power of the words, “I love you” or “I’m proud of you.” Our children need to hear that from us. (Taken from news article on CNN). Children need to know that they are loved and are gifts from God. But also let them know that they are not the center of the universe or even the family. They need to see a godly husband/wife relationship lived out in the home. They need to see a united front between mother and father. They need to know and see that in the home God comes first, your wife comes second and they are next.
b. Wife
i. Submit
There was a great tribal chief named Cagular. His empire bordered the empire of Cyrus the Great. Cagular was ferocious but Cyrus the Great was able to defeat him. Cyrus was so impressed by his opponent that he personally interrogated Cagular. He asked, “What would you do if I were to spare your life?” Cagular answered, “For the rest of my life, Your Majesty, I would live as an obedient servant of yours.” “And what would you do if I were to spare the life of your wife?” “Your Majesty, if you were to spare the life of my wife, I would die for you!” Cyrus was so impressed with his response that he freed both Cagular and his wife.
As they returned home, Cagular asked his wife, “Did you notice the beautiful palace? Did you see the marble at the entrance and the tapestry on the wall, and the pure gold chair on which the emporer sat?” His wife said, “No, I didn’t really notice that! I only saw the face of the man who said he would die for me!” (Taken from “Perceptions”, volume 5 by Tom Harrison.)
ii. Respect
iii. Helpmate
c. Children
i. Obey
ii. Honor
IV. Point 3 – The End State
a. Having done everything to STAND FIRM
b. You need to be properly armed. Clothe yourself in Christ.
V. Conclusion:
Here is your mission should you choose to accept it. Situation: The days are evil so be wise and make the most of every opportunity remembering that you are in a spiritual battle. Your Team: Fathers and husbands love your wife sacrificially in the same way that Christ gave himself up for you. Teach your children the ways of the Lord without provoking them to anger. Wife respect your husband and submit to his authority as you submit yourself to the Lord. Children obey, respect and honor your parents. Your equipment: put on Christ which is the full armor of God. The end state: Stand firm together making a difference in this world for Christ.
This is your God given mission. Father’s, lead the way.
