MORE MEN LIKE MOSES’S DAD!
INTRO:
(Men don’t always say what they mean)
When a man says “IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN”
He means: "I have no idea how it works"
When a man says "TAKE A BREAK, HONEY. YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD’’
He means: "I can’t hear the game over the vacuum cleaner"
When a man says ’THAT’S INTERESTING DEAR.’
He means: "Are you still talking?"
When a man says: "IT’S A GUY THING"
He means: "There is no rational thought pattern connected with this, and you have no chance at all of making it logical"
When a man says "CAN I HELP WITH DINNER"
He means: "Why isn’t it ready yet?"
When a man says ’OH, DON’T FUSS, I JUST CUT MYSELF. IT’S NO BIG DEAL"
He means: "I have probably severed a limb, but I will bleed to death before I admit I’m hurt, so get over here and help me!"
When a man says ’I CAN’T FIND IT.’’
He means: "It didn’t fall into my outstretched hand, so I’m completely clueless"
When a man says “I HEARD YOU.”
He means: "I haven’t the foggiest clue what you just said and I am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you’ll not spend the next 3 days yelling at me."
When a man says "YOU LOOK TERRIFIC!"
He means: "Oh please don’t try on one more outfit, we’re late and I’m starving."
When a man says "I’M NOT LOST. I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE.’’
He means: "No one will ever see us alive again."
When a man says “I don’t think I can go today.”
He means: Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, I am never going to think of it that way.
When a man says, “I don’t remember saying that.”
It’s because he means: “Anything I may have said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all past comments become null and void after 7 days.”
When a man says, “that’s not what I meant.”
He means: “If something I said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.
I heard about the little girl who walked out of the service after it was over and she said to the pastor, "When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money." The pastor said, "Thank you, dear, but why?" She said, "Because my dad says you are the poorest preacher he ever heard.
One night a wife found her husband standing over their newborn baby’s crib. Silently she watched him. As he stood looking down at the sleeping infant, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism. He would stand back, shake his head and say, "Amazing," while smiling from ear to ear.
Touched by his unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused, her eyes glistened as she slipped her arms around him. "A penny for your thoughts," she whispered in his ear.
"Isn’t it amazing!" he replied. "When you take the time and really look close, how can anyone make a crib like that for only $45.99!"
As David is on his death bed he says to his son “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
Dads, our greatest privilege, your greatest opportunity, your greatest joy and our greatest
responsibility is to be a parent.
Over 30 years ago my son was born into this world. I wish I had just a glimpse of the importance of fatherhood that I have now. Psalms 112:1-2 Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who
finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
In my estimation the most influential, the most important job on earth, the most powerful people that occupy this planet or not those who run businesses, sit in senate seats, lead companies, make the daily headlines or control the economy. The most influential people is a Godly mom and dad.
Someone has said, “A boy loves his mother, but will follow his father."
His little arms crept round my neck, And then I heard him say,Four simple words I can’t forget, Four words that made me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul, On secrets no one knew,
They startled me, I hear them yet, He said, “I’ll be like you!”
Park with me this in Hebrews 11:23-27 where you will find two Godly parents that championed the will of God in their home and they raised a Boy named Moses
We all know Moses but few know the parents of Moses Amram and Jochebed. Moses became a leader who changed the direction of Egypt, and God’s people. Amram and Jochebed raised a child who changed the world.
Hebrews 12:23-27 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
I A Mom and Dads Faith
Consider Hebrews 12:23 “By faith Moses Parents”
Where did Moses receive is spiritual training? The Home!
The church cannot build enough classroom that will take the place of a Godly Dad and Mom. Family is the primary classroom.
Parents who are lucky in the kind of kids they have are kids that are lucky in the kind of parents they have.
Moses had a Mom and Dad whose faith was engaged before Moses was able to speak.
I cannot overestimate the importance of Dads leading family When Moses became of age notice Hebrews 12: 24 we see that “when he was come to years” Moses refused—to align himself with Pharaoh. Mom and Dads faith has been transferred from Amram and Jochebed to their son. Now he is acting in his own faith.
Your example men will set the tone and tenor of your families faith. If Jesus Christ does not occupy a place of first priority in your life –there is a good chance your children will not have a faith that will sustain them. The bible says, Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart.
Dad’s What do you want to be remembered for? Your job? The money you made? The possessions you acquired?
I thought, I wander if my children will remember my good sermons? I thought for a moment and then it dawned on me, they will not remember my sermons, I cannot even remember them.
I am sure they will remember my mistakes and shortcoming however most of all I want my children to remember me for my character. I want them to say, "My dad feared God. My dad walked in the ways of God."
II A MOM AND DADS VISION FOR THEIR CHILDREN
HEBREWS 12:23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child
1.There are things no teacher, no coach no preacher can see that moms can see. My child is a gift from God,” He is no ordinary Child!
Moms and Dads, have a vision of faith for your child! Believe you are raising the next Moses of the world. Amram and Jochedbed had a faith vision for their child.
Look into the eyes of your child and believe God on behalf of your Child. You cannot control their destiny –but you can greatly influence it.
Perhaps you came from a family where you never experienced the love of a faithful father. I have counsled dozens who have been abused as a child. Maybe you were raised in a home where there was drunkenness, uncontrolled anger, abandonment, or you loss your father to death before you got to know him. Maybe I am talking to fathers who had a horrible home life as a child.
You can not do anything about your ancestors, but you can do something about your descendents.
Maybe you’re saying to yourself, "I’d give anything if my daddy would just put his arms around my neck and tell me he loves me." The deepest need of your heart, is for a dad to hug you and say, "I accept you. I love you."
I tell you there is hope for you. Every child of God has a Father who loves you. You can climb up into His lap anytime, anywhere and get a hug.
Galatians 4:6-7Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
III. DADS, HAVE A COURAGOUS FAITH
Amram and Jochebed showed great courage by hiding Moses. It was a dangerous time
When we understand our battle is not with flesh and blood, it ought to encourage you. A spiritual battle can be fought and won by faith.
MEN, are living in a war zone for the family. “know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1
The home is being attacked today. Our pleasure mad world is given over to sensuality. The moral fabric that is predicated on the word of God is being attacked, You can get pornography, drugs, alcohol on any street corner.
Moses’ parents were “not afraid of the king’s commandment.” Why? Because they knew the King of Kings! Put fear out of your life and say, “By faith in these dangerous days, we’re going to raise our children for Jesus.”
Conclusion:
One man wrotte: If I had it to do all over again, here’s what I would do.
I’d love my wife more in front of my children.
I’d laugh with my children more at our mistakes and our joys.
I’d listen more, even to the youngest child.
I’d be more honest about my own weaknesses and stop pretending perfection.
I would pray differently for my children. Instead of focusing on me,
I’d focus on them. I would do more things with my children.
I would be more encouraging and bestow more praise.
I would pay more attention to little things, deeds and words of love and kindness.
And finally, if I had to do it all over again, I would share God more intimately with my family. I would use every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day to point them to God.
Dads, if there’s going to be music in your home, know that God has called you to be the leader of the band!
