The Measure of a Man (Deut. 6)
Mal. 1:6 “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? “ kaw-bade' : to be heavy; causatively to make weighty
INTRODUCTION: We have transitioned as a society away from being Patriarchal (Father led to Matriarchal (Mother led) and finally to “Anarchal” (Child led). This transition has been steady and fueled by the “god of this world” for his own distorted purposes. In spite of the
“shifting sands” of power and popularity, God still calls us to build our lives on the rock of His truths. Almost 2600 years ago he cried: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for
your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." (Jer 6:16)
DIRECTION: Abraham is known as “The Father of Faith”. God’s testimony about him reveals that in spite of some personal problems and failures, God said: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD,that the LORD may bring upon him that which he hath spoken of him." (Ge 18:19)
As fathers, we are “In command” of the little “armies” God has entrusted to our care. We are the “Point men” who are expected by God to go before our families and “Flush out the Danger” in order to safely lead them in the ways of God. Let’s take a new look at an old word that might help us “stay in shape” as soldiers. (2 Tim 2)
The Word Father is used 352 times in the New Testament. 266 times it is used to describe God.
F: FAITHFUL “observe to do it…thou shalt teach them diligently…” vs 3,7
Observe; shaw-mar' ; hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard; generally to protect, attend to,
Pr. 20:6 “most men will proclaim their own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?" Faithful: ay-moon' established, that is, trustworthy
(CAN GOD TRUST US?)
1) Faithful to serve their heavenly Father and His purposes.
"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house." (Num 12:7) (1st mention) Faithful: aman, aw-man'; to build up or support;
NT: pistos, pis-tos' trustworthy; faithful, sure, true.
Last use: "And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant,;" (Heb 3:5)
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (1 Cor 4:2)
“Watch where Jesus went. The one dominant note in his life was to do his Father's will. His is not the way of wisdom or of success, but the way of faithfulness.” Oswald Chambers
> It is better to be faithful than famous. -- Theodore Roosevelt
A: AVAILABLE “thou… shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
1) Too many fathers are “unavailable” to their families. "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." (1 Th 2:11,12)
> Exhorted: {parakaleo} to call near, or invite. (To walk beside)
> Comforted: par-am-oo-theh'-om-ahee; to relate near, encourage, console:--comfort.
> Charged: , mar-too'-rom-ahee; to be a witness, take to record, testify.
“The average amount of time spent by these middle-class fathers with their small children was thirty-seven seconds per day! Their direct interaction was limited to 2.7 encounters daily, lasting ten to fifteen seconds each! That, so it seems, represents the contribution of fatherhood for millions of America's children.” Dr. James Dobson
T: TEACHABLE “these words shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach…”
> "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. " (2 Pet 3:18)
> "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Tim 2:2)
1) WE CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE TEACHERS IF WE REMAIN STUDENTS.
Lord, who am I to teach the way, To my children, day by day,
So prone myself to go astray.
I teach them knowledge, but I know, How faint they flicker and how low-
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them power to will and do, But only now to learn anew
my own great weakness through and through.
Lord if their guide I still must be, Oh, let my precious children see -
Their Father leaning hard on thee.
2) COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO CONSERVING RELATIONSHIPS.
a) We Can’t Learn Unless We Can Listen.
b) Ways To Listen More Effectively:
1) Remove the distractions that COMPETE. (Prov 17:1)
a) This is true of our communication with God.
(Psa 46:10) "Be still, and know that I am God: "
(Isa 30:15) "in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:
2) Relinquish the desire to COMPARE or CONTROL.(2 Cor 10:12)
3) Renew the decision to COMPREHEND. To counsel before comprehending is folly. (Pr 18:13)
4) Recognize the duty to COUNSEL. (Prov 4:1
H: HUMBLE Vs 2, 10,11
1) It is too easy to forget who we are, whose we are, where we’ve come from.
> "He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:6,10)
> " all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:" (1 Pet 5:5,6)
> “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.” Ps. 24:3-6
> He that is down needs fear no fall, He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall Have God to be his guide. John Bunyan
E: EXPERIENCED “These words…shall be in thine heart…”
(You cannot lead where you have not been) Deut. 6:6; Ps. 15:4)
Every map has a reference point. That point must be unmovable in order to give meaning to the rest of the map. Our relationship to the Lord should be the “Reference Point” in our children’s life.
CONCLUSION:
> OUR CHILDREN WILL FIND A FATHER. Here’s a partial list of “Proxy Parents”:
1) Movie or TV “Role models”
2) Older Friends or boy friends.
GOD HAS CHOSEN US TO LOVE AND LEAD THEM!
WILL WE CHOOSE TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE TASK? COMMITMENT INVOLVES:
1) AVAILability.
2) FLEXibility
3) DEPENDability.
I took a piece of plastic clay, And idly fashioned it one day.
And as my fingers pressed it still, It moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when the days were passed, And the bit of clay was hard at last.
The form I gave it still it bore, But I could change that form no more.
I took a piece of living clay, And gently formed it day by day;
And molded with my power and art, A young child's soft and yielding heart.
I came again when the days were gone, It was a man I looked upon.
He still that early impress wore, But I could change that form no more. -- Dave Stone
