- The idea of “blessing” seems odd to us. It’s not a concept that we use very often.
- We will even say things like “God bless you” without actually thinking that it means anything except just that it’s something nice to say.
- Yet it’s all through the Scripture: 467 times in the Bible, with 108 of those in the NT.
What Does The Bible Mean When It Speaks Of Something Being “Blessed”: Two of the Greek words that we translate “bless” are “eulogeo” (which means “to speak well of”) and “makarios” (which means “having the favor of”).
- I want to bring those two ideas together this morning as we talk about blessing.
- Often we think of “blessing” as something that God does, but there are actually several passages in the NT that speak of us blessing people.
- Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 14:16; James 3:9.
- Even then, we might think of this as us saying “God bless you” but that’s not what these passages say. It speaks of us blessing people.
- Now the Bible does talk a lot about God blessing people and about us enjoying the blessings of God, but that’s not what we’re talking about this morning. We’re focusing on those passages that speak of us blessing people.
- Now, we need to remember that we have been given authority in Jesus’ name. (See Matthew 16:19.) Our words have power.
- What does it mean that we bless someone? Well, we can learn a lot from these two definitions above: I speak well of them by saying words that indicate that they have my favor.
- Examples: “I don’t know how we could run the office if it wasn’t for you.” “I love your friendship because you always know what to say to make me laugh.” “I just appreciate having you as a neighbor because you are so quick to jump in and help me with little things.”
The Difference A Dad Makes:
- Some statistics:
1. The U.S. leads the world in fatherless families.
2. Over the last forty years, the number of kids being raised without their dads in the home has tripled.
3. Among students in grades one through twelve, 39% live in homes absent their biological fathers. 40% of kids in father-absent homes have not seen their dad within the past year.
4. Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school.
5. In two-parent households, kids with a poor relationship with their father were 68% more likely to smoke, drink, or use drugs than two-parent households generally.
6. Teens without fathers are twice as likely to be involved in early sexual activity and seven times more likely to get pregnant as an adolescent.
7. Among middle school students, not living with both biological parents quadruples the risk of an affective disorder.
8. A twenty-six-year study showed that the single most important factor in a child developing compassion is the involvement of a father in their lives.
9. 75% of teenage suicides occur in households where a parent has been absent.
- I want to share something now that is my opinion. The Bible certainly hints at this and it’s certainly clear in the way that God designed things, but I just want to share it as a burden on my heart: Fathers are incredibly important in the lives of their children.
The Power That Dads Have: It’s important for fathers to bless their children.
- I am not saying that we should not be blessing people in other ways. We should be. But on this Father’s Day, I want to express the need for fathers to bless their children.
- Again, I want to express something that is my opinion. For most kids, except for knowing what God thinks of them, perhaps the most formative opinion in their lives is what their dad thinks of them. I am not saying that mothers are not important. They are. But I have seen in so many situations that emptiness that is created when a father is absent or the father is condemning and those are wounds that do not go away.
- I want the fathers who are here to recognize the power that you hold in your hands when it comes to your children. You need to bless your children - speak words that express that they have your favor.
- Like it or not, we are social creatures and what people think of us matters. So many people are going around unsure of themselves who don’t have anyone to speak life into them.
- It’s good when we are loving with our kids and they know that we’re crazy about them, but that still does not have the same impact as directly spoken words of blessing.
- Some dads go the other way and speak words that cut and destroy.
- “You dummy, why did you spill the milk?”
- “You’re a lazy bum.”
- “You’re too fat.”
What’s That Look Like?
1. Jesus touched the child.
- Mark 10:16.
2. Jesus spoke words of vision.
- Mark 10:14-15.
- Notice how Jesus paints a picture of the importance of children.
- Of course, a lot of this is specific to our kids’ talents and gifts, but there are a couple things that I think are true of most boys and most girls.
- Boys:
- “You’ve got what it takes.”
- You can complete the mission. You can face the giants. You can achieve the victory.
- Girls:
- “You are so beautiful. You’re becoming just a fantastic woman.”
- You are valued. You are enchanting. You are worth fighting for.
3. Jesus spoke words of favor.
- Mark 10:16.
- This has to do with your relationship with them. This has to do with how you feel about them.
- Examples:
- “You are awesome.”
- “I’m glad you’re mine.”
- “I am so proud of you.”
- “I delight in you.”
- “You’re the best.”
- Now, I recognize that not all men are particularly good at sharing their feelings. I realize not all will be able to do this to the same extent.
- I do, though, want you to put this thought in your head. Look at the stats above and consider how important the place you have in your child’s life is. And, then, although this is a little melodramatic, consider that if your child were sick with the flu and the doctors were speculating about what medicine to try and you knew the one that would make your child well, would you stay silent or would you speak up? You would speak up because you want your child to be physically healthy.
- The same thing is true of their emotional health. Like it or not, your voice is essential.
- “But it makes me uncomfortable!” Maybe it does. But you’re the grown-up and your child needs you, so get over it.
- I also think this applies not just when our kids are young.
