Father’s Day 2017
Isaiah 64:1-9
What a wonderful celebration today for our church as we welcome several new members to our congregation. Such additions are highly treasured by all of us because we know the eternal value each of you represent to our Heavenly Father. Your value is immeasurable.
That value has already been demonstrated by each of you through your dedication, commitment and service to all of us as your brothers and sisters. More importantly you have demonstrated you love and faithfulness to our Heavenly Father. Thank you so much for your Christian example among us. We love you and pray God’s blessings upon you all as we grow together in Christ as His church. Our Heavenly Father is very proud of each one of you for becoming a vital member of our church family today.
Happy Father’s Day! Yes we have much to celebrate today and as we do I wanted to celebrate the fact that each of us have a Heavenly Father that loves us beyond measure.
Scripture bears this out time and again. Isaiah 64 is just one small excerpt of that truth. We see the words of praise ringing from within the pages and echoing in our hearts and ears to assure us of our Father’s love.
Men we are made in the image of God, the image of our Father and today I challenge you to aspire to acquire more of our Heavenly Father’s image regarding the nature of His love for His children.
See how He loves us!
Fathers you and I are to do “Awesome things” for our children. Just as Isaiah writes to see our Heavenly Father step into our lives and be among us to do “Awesome things” we must step into the lives of our children and awe them from time to time.
That might include feats of physical strength, carrying them on your back or playfully tossing them into the air and back into your arms. It might be that you demonstrate your strength by being gentle and tender with your children. Holding them close in your arms or whispering “I love you” in their ear.
Your presence at their bedside tucking them in and praying aloud with them is another “Awesome thing” you can do.
Such demonstrations of your love resonate with your children especially if it means you left work early or put off your own pursuits like fishing or golfing to instead go fishing or golfing with your child.
In a child’s heart these acts of sacrifice for their sake are “Awesome things”.
Father’s generously reward your children when they do right. Your positive reinforcement of their achievements will encourage them to try that much harder the next time. Make it to their dance recital or skating carnival or game. Sit where they can see you and shout so they can hear you say “that’s my daughter” or “that’s my son out there”.
Father’s you have little people who are looking to you for an example. Be an awesome example of our Heavenly Father to them.
When they do wrong and when the guilt and gravity of their actions resonates with them lovingly correct do not crush their spirits but show them their errors and explain the way they can correct their behaviour.
Today we call these “teaching moments”. They are teaching moments for the both of you. Our Heavenly Father would have you love and forgive your little sinners in the same way that He has forgiven all of us who are bigger sinners.
Jesus warned;
Matthew 7:2
2" For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Father’s be a godly example to your child. Be a man of conviction and action. Be a man of faith and humility. Give honor and praise to your Heavenly Father not just at the dinner table but spontaneously. In that way your children will realize that you are aware of God’s presence at all times.
Father’s be a spiritual leader in your household. Read your Bible in front of your children and to your children. Pray openly and purposely. Take those teaching moments to stop when you are perplexed or confused and pray.
Bring your family to church. Make Sunday worship something you do to honor God as your reasonable service to Him and your desire to be a blessing and be blessed by the Saints.
Finally live the Jesus way to the best of your ability and let your children know that you too are imperfect and from time to time even you need to repent and return to the cross.
It is not a weakness to admit when you are wrong but rather a strength, a sign of maturity. For as the scripture tells us we are all clay in the Master’s hands.
Isaiah 64:8
Father’s love your wives as Christ loves the church. Jesus was willing to die to save His church and so should you be willing to die for your wife’s love.
Let your children see you express your love for her, show your tenderness and your strength by your sacrifice and commitment for her.
Our Heavenly Father has seen fit you give you a family just as we are His family. Let God mentor you as a father, grandfather and great grandfather. Doing so will make you “awesome” in the eyes of your children and your wife.
When time is over you just may hear;
Matthew 3:17
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Amen.
