Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
I. Protector - Father’s Protects his Family, Children
A. Fathers job is to Protect
1. Joseph protected Mary and Children
2. Abraham protected family
1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
B. God gives us a cover of Protection
1. We are his family and children
2. God protects with love and kindness
Psalms 40:11 says, “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.”
Psalms 5:11 says, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
II. Supporter – For Family and Children
A. Fathers show support to family and children
1. Always build up and never tear down
2. Support of father never leaves us
Psalms 94:18-19 says, “When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
Job 4:3-4 says, “Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.”
B. God’s support always been there for us
1. Call out to him for support
2. Never going to leave us
2 Timothy 4:16 says, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.”
2 Timothy 4:18 says, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
III. Provider – For Family and Children
A. Father gives us provision
1. Food, clothes, love, grace, etc
2. Roof over head
Job 36:31 says, “This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance.”
Job 10:12 says, “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.”
B. Father provides family and friend
1. Strength
2. Nurturing
1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1 Peter 4:10-12 says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
IV. Hero – Fathers are children’s Hero
A. David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17:50-52 says, “So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.”
B. Good Samaritan
Luke 10:30-35 says, “In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'”
Conclusion:
Psalms 128:1-4 says, “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.”
Proverbs 20:5-7 says, “The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.”
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
