A Father’s Legacy
Psalm 16
INTRODUCTION: God is revealed to us through many names or Titles, each revealing a
different aspect of his nature.
In Creation he is Elohim, (God) the faithful, powerful God.
In the Garden of Eden he is Jehovah Elohim, (LORD God) who is eternally holy.
To Hagar he is Jehovah Roiy, (The one who sees me) (Gen 16)
To Abraham he was revealed as is:
El Elyown (The Most High God) Gen 14
El Shaddai, (The Almighty). Gen 15
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord who Provides) Gen 22
To Israel he was revealed as:
Jehovah Raphe (The LORD who heals) (Ex 16)
Ebenezer (The One who has helped us) 1 Sam. 7
Jehovah tsedeq (The LORD our Righteousness) Jer. 23:6
Qanna (Jealous) Ex. 34:14
Ad Ab (Everlasting Father) Is. 9:6
The Word Father is used 352 times in the New Testament. 266 times it is used to describe God.
God leaves us the best Model for fathering. By understanding the legacy he leaves us we can be better equipped to pass that legacy on to our children.
1. A LEGACY OF LABOR. Vs 5 “thou maintainest my lot”
A. GOD IS ACTIVELY AT WORK AROUND US. (John 5:17)
"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."
B. GOD EXPECTS US TO LABOR
The word “labor” is found 24 times in the New Testament.
1) With Him. "For we are labourers together with God: " (1 Cor 3:9)
2) Labor is part of God’s design for Provision. (Gen. 3:19)
(Eph 4:28) "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
(2 Th 3:10) "this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." John Ruskin “Men are made stronger on realization that the helping hand they need is at the end of their own right arm.” -- Sidney J. Phillips
2. A LEGACY OF LAUGHTER. …. “In thy presence is fullness of joy.” vs 11
(Neh 8:10) "for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
(Psa 16:11) "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
A. LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
(Pr 15:15) "he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." (See also Pr. 15:13)
(Pro 17:22) "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
3. A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP …I have set the LORD always before me Vs 8
A. FOR YOUR WIFE. (Eph. 5:23; 1 Cor. 11:3)
B. FOR YOUR CHILDREN. (Eph. 6:4; Gen. 18:19)
4. A LEGACY OF LOVE…. “In thee do I put my trust” Vs 1
A. LOVING YOUR GOD.
1) Commanded. (Mat. 22:37; Deut. 6:5-7)
2) Commended. (Ro. 5:8; John 4:8)
3) Evidenced by CONDUCT. (John 14:15,21)
B. LOVING YOUR WIFE.
1) Commanded (Eph 5:25)
2) Commended. (1 Peter 3:7)
3) Evidenced by COMMITMENT. “and gave himself for it.” Eph 5:25b
C. LOVING YOUR CHILDREN. CHILDREN SPELL LOVE TIME
T: Touch I: Interest M: Model. E: Encouragement
1 Thess 2:10-12 “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 1 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”
WORKING
A poor, hungry man stood idly on a bridge watching some fishermen. Seeing one of them with a basket full of fish by his side, he said, "if I had a catch like that, I'd be happy. I'd sell it and buy some food and clothes." "I'll give you that many fish if you do a small favor for me," said the fisherman. "What do you want me to do?" came the reply. "Just tend this line a while. I've got some business down the street." Gladly the young man accepted the offer. After the man left, the trout and bass continued snapping greedily at the baited hook. Soon he lost all his depression in the excitement of pulling in a large number of fish. When the angler returned, he said to the young man, "I'll keep my promise to you by giving you everything you've caught. And I hope you've learned a lesson. You mustn't waste time daydreaming and merely wishing for things. Instead, get busy and cast in a line for yourself."
TIME:
A young successful attorney said:
"The greatest gift I ever received was a gift I got one Christmas when my dad gave me a small box. Inside was a note saying, 'Son, this year I will give you 365 hours, an hour every day after dinner. It's yours. We'll talk about what you want to talk about, we'll go where you want to go, play what you want to play. It will be your hour!'"
"My dad not only kept his promise," he said, "but every year he renewed it -- and it's the greatest gift I ever had in my life. I am the result of his time."
