Today, we want to celebrate our Dad’s and give thanks for all they do and for who they are
I am very grateful for Godly dads who understand what’s at stake with their children
Dads who have chosen or are choosing the important over the urgent
I hate how Dads are portrayed in TV shows nowadays as the buffoon of the family
I read a proverb a day – have for years – and I read again Proverbs 13 this past week
One verse particularly stood out as I have been thinking about father’s day and if I have been a good father to my children
Our verse today is Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous”
The part that stuck out was “A GOOD MAN LEAVES AN INHERITANCE FOR HIS CHILDREN’S CHILDREN”
You may not have had a good dad growing up…what do you have to offer now that you’re a Dad?
What kind of inheritance can you leave? That’s what I want to talk about and just tell you from my perspective what I felt I left to my children and grandchildren
Listen, you may not can do anything about your ancestors but you certainly have a huge say in your descendants
Pray
DEFINE INHERTANCE – Hebrew means “take as a heritage”
DICTIONARY – something left as an heir – a legacy
Trans: I looked at this verse and I noticed the very first part says A GOOD MAN
1. WHAT IS A GOOD MAN?
How do you define a good man? We know the bible says none of us are good
So the first thing I had to get right was being a good man – but according to the bible – I’m not able to be good!
When I look up the original – the word GOOD means “moral good” – now I’m really in trouble
Jesus said in Mark 10:18 “No one is good but one, that is God”
God got a hold of my life – introduced me to His Son Jesus and what He did for me – I received it – HE MADE ME GOOD!
God’s great salvation made me good – He made me in right standing with Him physically, spiritually, and morally!
So the first inheritance I wanted to give my children and grandchildren was the great salvation that God gave me – God’s Kingdom
John 3:3 “Unless one is born again, he cannot ENTER (inherit) the kingdom of God”
I wanted them and still want them to understand that it is Jesus in my life that makes me a good man – PERIOD. And they need Him and His salvation
God will give them the best inheritance of all – His Kingdom
Acts 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified”
Trans: Notice, I commit you to God (His Kingdom) and to the WORD…so another inheritance I want to leave my children is…
2. A LOVE FOR GOD & HIS WORD
I can tell you that I really love God’s Word – it is the life changing force that can take the vilest of people; people of hatred and make them full of love and grace
When I read about all that God has done and continues to do for me – I can’t help but have a great love for God
I value what God’s Word has done and continues to do in my life – it is the life giving force in which everything else flows out of
Look at this picture of my closet – look at all these different bibles I have (like shoes)
I read, memorize, study, listen to it, and meditate on it…Nothing has influenced my life more than the Word of God
It continues to shape me and mold me – it is the potter’s wheel in which God uses to shape, repair, mend, correct, rebuke, train and instruct my life with
I take it in daily – which is the recommended daily dosage – LOL – and more than once a day most of the time
I want to pass on the heritage of my love for God’s word to my children – I do that by introducing them to it early in life
I do that by making it an important part of our family life – discuss it – search it together – find the jewels tucked below the surface
Trans: With Jesus in me…making me good…with His word changing me from the inside out…the next inheritance I want to leave them is…
3. MARRIAGE DONE GOD’S WAY
The best gift Dads can give their children growing up is to let them SEE that He loves their mother (Ephesians 5 is a great read for husband and wife)
Our daughters at times would tell us HEY KID IN THE ROOM – PG 13 here!
(clip of parents in back seat)
Homes full of unstable marriages – threats of divorce – unhappiness – children become very insecure
My wife and I made it a point to let our children know that divorce was not an option – we had to work it out
Model marriage done God’s way is GREAT! It’s fulfilling; it’s fun; it’s priceless; it’s a true gift from God – HE INTENDED IT TO BE GREAT AND FOREVER!
I have always tried to treat my wife like a queen and she has treated me like a king
Marriage is to be a sacred and intimate covenant that is unbreakable
I can say too that after almost 35 years IT IS VERY GOOD!
I hope they will also do marriage God’s way because of what I tried to pass on
Trans: There are several other things I wanted to leave them as an inheritance but probably the last one that I want to share today is…
4. BE A DAD INVOLVED IN THEIR LIVES
There is a deep spiritual thing I want us all to hear right here
Rules without relationship breeds rebellion (relationship with God)
Be involved in what’s important to them – no matter what it is
I coached my girls in softball, volleyball & basketball – I hung up the coach hat and just was Dad – biggest fan in the stands with my wife
I have now moved back to the coach’s hat with my grandchildren – one day I will just be grandpa in the stands
But I was also involved in selling Girl Scout cookies; going on father/daughter camp outs; taking the fishing; catching first fish
Playing dress up; wearing nail polish and make-up
Going to the park and playing monster – chasing them around
Wrestling with them
Talking to them about the issues of life – what the bible said about those issues
We talked about sex and boys and waiting for the right one on wedding night
Disciplined them – but also embraced them
Never too big to sit in my lap or lay head on my shoulder
Show them affection often and tell them you love them…never too old to hear it, even your sons and grandsons!
They may not remember one sermon I preached but hopefully they will remember that I was involved in their lives and have those memories
Hopefully – they will also be involved in their children’s lives.
Conclusion
I’ve rambled enough – I want to say that I believe there are Dads who are doing it right or who have done it right
If you’re still a Dad with small children – you can be their hero everyday with the little things
If you are now a grandpa – the same is true
Look at the impact you can have by leaving an inheritance – a Godly inheritance for them. Do this by…
1. BEING A GOOD MAN (A JESUS LOVER)
2. SHOWING THEM A LOVE FOR GOD & HIS WORD
3. SHOW THEM MARRIAGE GOD’S WAY
4. BEING INVOLVED IN THEIR LIVES
I can’t do anything about my ancestors but I have all the say so of what I leave for my descendants
When I die, what will my legacy be? Great pastor and leader; NAH!
Hopefully a legacy that says He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and if the Lord tarries, great grandfather.
That’s what I want my legacy to be…PRAY
