What A Dad Needs
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
A small boy said, "Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the gift.” And I say, "What gift?"
Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years.”
The apostle Paul gives every believer some anointed words to live by in, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14NLT Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14MSG Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
Every man here has several things in common:
1. Dad’s need admonishment from there wife and children.
They need to be bragged on.
Dr. Joe Edwards once told Jenny, “Jenny you have the ability to be a Queen; However, make you husband a King!”
Men will not share this, but when dads, (fathers) excel, they excel, because of their family. Its a fathers deepest need to really please his family! P.H
“Before I preach, Jenny has already heard the message, because I practice on her, and every time, she admonishes me!” PH
2. A Dad who follows Jesus becomes the best father in the world.
Why? Because Jesus is their example.
I want everyone to thank their dad’s in these three ways.
1-Thank him for material provision.
2- Thank him for faithful instruction. Tell him how smart he is!
3- Thank him for godly illustration.
By this, I mean a godly illustration for life. Or a godly example for life.
I Corinthians 11:1 Paul said to the Corinthians who were his children in the faith, 1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Again, #2. Follow Jesus dads!
3. Children, ask dad what you can do for them. Or maybe just surprise them.
“Wives you surprise your husband real soon one night!” PH
Make it a practice to brag on dad, thank him for his provisions toward you. He will give or bless you more!
I want to break down this evenings text from, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
First, Paul states from verse 13, Be on guard.
A true dad always thinks of his family. A father is on guard. He watches over the family, and protects them.
The Ephesians 6 believer, is to put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-12NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Again #1, Be on guard.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Wear truth. Having put on the breastplate of Wear righteousness. Walk with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Wear the helmet of salvation, pickup the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication, be watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
“Wives tell your husband how strong they are. Thank your husband for making you feel safe!”
Testimony, I remember when we were dating and getting serious Jenny ask me, if the devil comes into our house can you get him out? P.H
Second, Paul states from verse 13, Stand firm in the faith.
A father that upholds his faith, and helps his families faith, will be honored.
This I am sure of, if dad upholds his faith, his family will surround dad. P.H
Hebrews 11:1-2TPT Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. 2 This testimony of faith is what previous generations (elders) were commended for.
A true man of faith will move mountains, for their family. P.H
Third, Paul states from verse 13, Be courageous.
2 Chronicles 20:1-3NIV After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
As Jehoshaphat sought the Lord, his people followed.
-Dad’s you seek the Lord and your family will follow.
What was the word the Lord gave to Jehoshaphat? Be courageous, Stand still, Place the worshipers upfront, Watch God’s salvation!
Fourth, Paul states from verse 13, Be strong.
The definition of strength from a father is, Be strong in Jesus, Trust Jesus’ finished work, When it’s hard, trust Him more.
Isaiah 40: 28-31NIV Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Again, #4. Be strong!
An American bald Eagle, became a life lesson from an American Indian to a struggling, depressed dad. This Indian explains, Eagles go through a molting period, and sometimes don’t survive. When an eagle molts they usually fly down to a deep valley of rocks into a seemingly dry desert. As the eagle molts their heads are down, the eagle will begin plunking out his own feathers. Because he’s not soaring through the sky, his tear glands dry up, and he losses vision. Many times their beak becomes heavy with built-up minerals because of lack of flight, and these minerals on its beak weigh the eagle down, and his head droops further. This is a dangerous time for all eagles. However, something happens in the air, other eagles soar and begin to call the eagles cry. (These eagles will continue to to rally around the molten eagle). The molten eagle will take its beak and begin the hit it against the rocks in the valley. -This makes the beak normal and as the other eagles in the air cry out, to this molten bird, many times the eagle will get the courage to fly again. As he flies his tear glands begin to open. This magnificent creature, can once more see small rabbits and rodents from 2 miles away!
“God calls fathers to be strong! Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! The call of God for every father is to be strong.” P.H
Fifth, Paul states from verse14, And do everything with love.
Dad’s, (Fathers) do everything with love!
Fathers, the Bible teaches that, Proverbs 10:12NIV Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Let love win, allow love a chance, don’t stop loving just because you feel like it, or because you’ve been hurt. Again, you have to choose to win! P.H
The love of Jesus Christ remaining in you, will keep you, and will testify of your love, as well as the Lord’s love!
Testimony, “I heard a lady on tv state that she forgave the men who murdered of her entire family. -The interviewer ask why? This woman stated she had to go on living and refused to live in bitterness because of these men with murderous minds.
This woman was free, and her face radiated peace and joy.
That’s what free fathers do, they forgive.
Benediction.
