Cornerstone Church
June 20 2010
“MISSING LINK OR ANCHOR MAN?”
Deuteronomy 6:1-2
Burmese Fishermen drift for 25 days in icebox after boat sinks
Published: 19 Jan 2009
“Two men who drifted for 25 days in a large icebox in shark-infested waters were rescued by the Australian Coast Guard after a chance sighting.
The two Burmese men were saved after drifting hundreds of miles in the red box when crew members patrolling in a Coastwatch aeroplane on Saturday saw them desperately waving their bright shirts. Coastwatch pilots circled the men as they floated in the Torres Strait, between Australia and Indonesia, and called in a helicopter that winched them to safety.
It is believe the men survived by drinking rain water and eating the remains of fish regurgitated by sea birds in the bath tub-sized ice box, which is normally used for storing fish. They had no life jackets and no means of communication.
They were the only 2 of the 20 on board that survived.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific
Boaters missing for a week rescued at sea
Men are found sitting atop their capsized catamaran 180 miles from land
The Associated Press
updated 3:01 p.m. PT, Sun., Aug 30, 2009
“PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Three Texas boaters missing for a week were reunited with their families early Sunday after they were found alive, sitting on top of their capsized catamaran 180 miles from land, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard officials said they survived because they stuck with the boat. The men also rationed bubble gum and crackers and used a hose to suck fresh water out of the internal "washdown" tank. Fishermen often keep such a tank to wash fish slime off their boat when they are out in the salt water.”
The two illustrations show just how quickly we can get ourselves into trouble.
In each case they were adrift in the vastness of the ocean.
They were without an anchor to keep them from drifting.
Recues like these instill hope within our hearts.
Triumph in the midst of tragedy!
THE PROBLEM
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEAR THE FOLLOWING NAMES?
Dennis Rodman
Howard Stern
“Dennis Rodman and Howard Stern have a lot in common.
• They are both famous.
• They are both rich.
• They are both profane.
• They are both rebellious.
• They are both rude.
• They are both national role models.
• They both appear in public dressed as women.”
Steve Farrar, Anchor Man, pg. 1
NOW THINK ABOUT MEN LIKE:
Dr. James Dobson
Dr. John MacArthur
The difference in each of these men’s life was made by their father.
Dennis Rodman hasn’t seen his father for over thirty years. Over the years Philander Rodman has fathered 27 children. His life’s goal: “I’m shooting for 30.”
Newsweek, pg. 25, 9 September 1996
Shock Jock Howard Stern gives a similar testimony:
“I will never have a lot of self-esteem. I don’t feel very good about myself…I still have an inferiority complex. The way I was raised my father was always telling me I was a piece of [explicative]. I think I’ll go to my grave not feeling very positive about myself or that I’m very very special. My mother use to tell me how special I was. Every time I hear my mother’s voice going, ‘you are the most special little boy in the world,’ I hear my father going, ‘ you [explicative, explicative], you are nothing but a piece of [explicative].”
Interview with Howard Stern – Rolling Stone Magazine, 10 February 1994
Men like Dr. James Dobson and Dr. MacArthur are blessed because of the godly role of their fathers.
I’m sure that many of you could or would also give a testimony this morning as to the role your father had in your life!
“DRIFTING FAMILIES” is the term that Dr. Steve Fararr has given for families that are in trouble.
“A ‘Drifting Family’ is a family without an anchor. The father is the anchor of the family. And when fathers leave or when fathers continually degrade their wives and children, the family begins to drift. When a family begins to drift because it has lost its anchor, it can quickly begin to produce children who are insecure, self-conscious, emotionally starved, and without a moral compass.”
Steve Fararr, Anchor Man, pg 3
Families are adrift in America
Society is adrift in America
devoid a moral compass
When the cradle of the family falls in America there will be no prosthesis that will keep all of society from coming apart.
“If we stay on the current course, one day the United States will be known as the country of the founding fathers…with no fathers to be found.”
Dr. Wade Horn quoted by Steve Fararr, Anchor Man, pg 23
“…Our very survival as a people will depend on the presence or absence of masculine leadership
in millions of homes…. I believe, with everything
within me that husbands hold the keys
to preservation of the family.”
Dr. James Dobson
MEN, THE BUCK STOPS WITH US!
God has ordained that we are the Head of our household!
God will hold us responsible for how we raise our children and lead our home!
1 Cor 16:13 NASB “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Eph 6:4 NIV Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
While mothers and fathers have a combined role to raise godly children it is the father that God Almighty will hold specifically responsible.
IT IS HERE WE NEED TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE!
Are you focused merely on today?
Or, Are you focused on the eternal?
If your perspective is just on today then you are like the person who gets their paycheck each week and spends it all after their bills are paid.
If you are focused on the big picture then you are like the individual who learned to save their money, placing it in an account where interest is compounded daily.
WHAT STARTS OUT SMALL, PAYS HIGH DIVIDENDS LATER!
Ron Blue once figured out that if you would find a way to save $2.79 a day and place that into an account at 10% for 40 years it would grow to $1 million.
The children or grandchildren that you have are not just your children. The Bible states that they are precious gifts given to you by God.
Ps 127:3-5 NIV Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
You are raising your children to let them go!
You are preparing them for today and tomorrow when on their own!
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.
Ps 127:4 NIV
Think about the children (arrows) God has given you!
• Each one is different.
• God made them unique and special.
How you launch each one of them is different as well.
• Some you might need a lighter pull of the sting.
• For others, you need to pull the string all the way back.
Having a full quiver is a blessing and a curse!
• A blessing because of the great potential.
• A curse because of the awesome responsibility.
Parenting isn’t
“I shot and arrow into the air;
It fell to earth I know not where.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
GOD’S WORD
The plan for a New Society is found in Deuteronomy 6:1-2
• God has an answer for changing families.
• God has an answer for changing society
Moses gives these instructions to the people before entering the Promised Land.
• They had sinned and taken their eyes off of God.
• They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
• They were entering the Land.
• The people of the land they need to conquer are given over to sin.
Moses wants the people of Israel to continue to love and honor God all their days.
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, 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.
Deut. 6:1-2 NIV
Key Point:
“…so that you, your children and their children
after them may fear the LORD your God…”
SEE THE BIG PICTURE?
How you live your life for the LORD affects:
• You
• Your Children
• Your Grandchildren
…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.
This is how you anchor your family from drifting!
A Godly Father (and mother) is the anchor for the family.
• The anchor gives stability to the home.
• The family is a link in a larger chain.
• The larger chain is a family line (genealogy)
You living with your whole heart for God, loving Him and then teaching your children to live whole-heartedly for Him and to love Him can reach the lives of your Grandchildren and beyond!
We know from our world that the sins of the father (parents) affect multiple generations. Remember back to the lives of Dennis Rodman and Howard Stern.
Learned behaviors passed on:
• Abuse
• Violence
• Alcoholism / Drug Abuse
• Immorality
• Adultery
• Divorce
Deut 5:9-10 NIV You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
If you serve the Lord, and teach your children to serve the Lord and then your children teach their children (your Grandchildren) to serve the Lord you are spanning over 100 years!
Wow! This goes back to the concept of compounded interest!
You need patience! The results are not seen immediately!
MALAYSIAN BAMBOO
In the first year, you plant the seed, water, and fertilize. Nothing visible happens.
In the second year, you continue to carefully water and fertilize. Nothing visible happens in the second year either.
In the third year, water and fertilizer are even more necessary, yet nothing happens. There is absolutely no visible indication that your three years of work are even close to being successful.
The fourth year comes around and water and fertilizer must be applied, in the right amounts and at the right time. But you guessed it. Nothing happens.
In the fifth year you again diligently water and fertilize. And the bamboo grows ninety feet in thirty days.
ANCHOR MAN, Dr. Steve Farrar, pgs 17-18
SATAN HAS TWO KEY STRATEGIES TO TAKE YOU DOWN!
• Destroy your marriage
• Alienate your children from you
Top Pitfalls or Snares for Men
BEING TOO CONSUMED WITH YOUR WORK
BEING TOO CONSUMED WITH YOUR HOBBY / SPORTS!
We know that watching the NBA Finals or a SF Giants Game is alright. But what happens if one game a week leads to two games and then to three games or more a week?
• Or for the Baseball Addict: The MLB Extra Innings on DirecTV!
• Or the NASCAR HotPass!
Soon you’re not spending time with the Lord. You are ignoring your family. You get all nasty and grouchy if the Giants loose.
LEAVING THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR CHILDREN TO OTHERS!
It is your responsibility. Others like a Youth Pastor or Children’s Pastor can only compliment and help you. They can never replace you!
Men’s life Magazine revealed these startling facts:
In a home where the father is an active believer, 75% of the children become believers.
In a home where just the mother is an active believer, only 15% of the children become believers.
Men, we set the pace by first loving God wholeheartedly ourselves!
ABANDONING THE ROLE OF MALE LEADERSHIP
I didn’t say male dictatorship! Nor Male Tyranny!
Almost on every front, the man’s biblical responsibility to lead his family and to give an account for his leadership is eroding.
Some have called it the Castration of the American Male. Here is a kinder way to say it, the feminization of the American man.
Men are embarrassed to be men these days. We shrink back from male traits because we get the impression that our masculinity is somehow wrong or evil.
God gave men the mandate to subdue the earth.
God gave men muscular strength, different thinking capabilities, and fearless character:
To Protect and Provide for His Family
To Protect Our Country from tyranny and injustice
Character, honor, courage and integrity flow from God’s design for us!
It is okay to be like:
• William Wallace – Braveheart
• Jack Ryan – Patriot Games
• Maximus – Gladiator
• John McClane – Live Free or Die Hard (or was that Pastor Dave?)
THE SOLUTION
Anchor your family wisely!
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Mt 7:24-27 NIV
Two different men seeking to anchor their family for the future
HOUSE ON THE SAND – Joseph Kennedy
“During a golf game in 1936, he (Joseph Kennedy) was lining up a putt on an exclusive golf course in Palm Beach, Florida. One of the men in his foursome said, ‘So, Joe, what are you doing with yourself these days?’ Without taking his eye off the ball, Joe replied, ‘My work is my sons.’”
The Sins of the Father, quoted by Steve Fararr, Anchor Man, pg 69
Joseph Kennedy spent his wealth and time ruling and manipulating his sons with the goal that one or more might be President.
Sadly – Joseph Kennedy rubbed off on his sons.
24 years later Billy Graham met with President John F. Kennedy who asked him if he believed Jesus Christ was coming back to earth again?
Billy Graham told him the truth. John Kennedy grew up going to church all his life. He had all that money could buy but he was confused.
Perhaps it was when John was 12 years old the day he hid on his father’s sailboat. That day his father took actress Gloria Swanson sailing with whom he was having an affair. When John came up to surprise his father he was not ready for what he saw.
Immediately John jumped into the ocean and tried to kill himself. No wonder he grew up uncertain and confused.
HOUSE ON THE ROCK – Peter Loritts
Peter Loritts is the Great-Grandfather of Dr. Crawford Loritts. Crawford Loritts is a Pastor who has had a broad ministry. Dr. Loritts has been a leader of Campus Crusade for Christ, Promise Keepers, a Pastor with Dr. Tony Evans and now a Pastor and Conference Speaker.
Peter Loritts was a slave who gained his freedom during the Civil War nearly 150 year ago.
He worked hard and saved and bought a small piece of property which became Conover, NC. This area became an area that many slaves migrated to. Peter Loritts gave some of his land so a church might be built.
Peter loved and obeyed Jesus Christ all his days. He married and had two sons and a daughter.
Milton Loritts had seven boys one of which was Crawford Loritts father.
Crawford’s father would tell stories of how his Great-Grandfather loved to sit on the porch and sing praises to the LORD and tell all of his grandchildren about Jesus.
The men of the Loritts family line have all been men of character and conviction who love God, love their family and have kept their vow of marriage.
Crawford’s son Bryan Loritts is the 5th Generation of Loritts to follow Jesus. And now Crawford’s Grand-Children (Bryan’s Children) are being raised to love and follow Jesus – the 6th Generation.
The foundation was laid by Peter Loritts and for over 150 years six generations has been serving Jesus Christ faithfully!
“So you’re not hearing from any superhero of fatherhood as I write. Every father knows that there are times when we absolutely blow it. We’re not God. We’re certainly not perfect…. We have shortcomings. We have failures. We sin. We don’t say things right. We don’t do things right. We don’t have adequate information. We make bad decisions. Again, it’s not whether or not we will fail. We will fail; that’s a given. Not only that: we’re going to fail tragically at times. But the issue is what we do with those failures and bitter experiences.”
Never Walk Away, Crawford Loritts, pg. 13
Pitstop Fathering will not get the job done!
According to Dr. Armand Nicholi of Harvard Medical School:
“Research shows that, in Russia, fathers spend as much as two and three hours a day with their children. But, in this country, according to a study out of Boston, fathers spend on the average about 37 seconds a day with their young children.”
Dr. Nicholi quoted by Steve Farrar, Anchor Man, pg 94
37 Seconds a day!
“…When the young pastor asked the warden how so many young men with great promise could end up in such a place, the warden signed and said, ‘This place is filled with boys who got tired of waiting for their dads to keep their promises – promises to provide, promises to show up and spend time with them, promises to come home at night – they finally got so angry with the injustice of it, they went out and did stupid things.’”
You’ve Been Wronged by Erwin Lutzer quoted by Bobby Scobey
Working too much? – Stop
Involved in too many hobbies or sports? – Cut something out!
Serving too much at the church? – Pick a ministry and stop the rest!
You need to anchor your family to God
You can’t accomplish that with Pitstop Fathering!
You can’t anchor them to God with duct tape or coat hanger wire!!
You need to help your children and family members find the right exit ramp!
The exit ramp to eternal life!
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matt. 7:13-14 NIV
Deut. 6:4-7 NIV Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
As the Anchor Man of our family (link in the chain) we are anchoring them to Jesus and we are anchored to Jesus the Solid Rock!
In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
God isn’t looking for perfect Father’s or Parents!
He is looking for individuals who love Him
with their whole heart.
He is looking for individuals who with humility seek to live and lead their family to follow Jesus!
ARE YOU THE MISSING LINK OR ANCHOR MAN?
