NOTE TO THE READER - THIS MESSAGE IS ORIGINAL AS GOD HAS PLACED IT UPON MY HEART. HOWEVER, THE STATISTICS I USE (*) ARE BORROWED FROM ANOTHER SOURCE AND I GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE.
I WRITE UNTO YOU FATHERS.....
1 JOHN 2:13-14
I. I WRITE UNTO YOU FATHERS....
A. There are two ways to look at these verses
B. Represents different groups within the church
1-the elderly who had seen Christ and been His followers from the beginning
2-those who had been saved for a while and were disciples, grounded in the faith
3-those who were children in the Lord, just recently coming to Christ
C. The leadership role of men in the church and home
1-the older, more experienced men particularly fathers
2-the young men in their prime just getting started in life
3-the children who would some day grow up to be the men in the church
D. Because it’s Father’s Day I want to focus on the latter aspect of John’s words
E. These words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, sent from the Heavenly Father with love. God is speaking to fathers today, reminding us of our God given responsibility to be the leader of the home
II. FATHERS - GOD’S APPOINTED LEADERS
A. The fathers were addressed because they were the leaders at church and at home
B. It has always been God‘s design that the men, the fathers be leaders
-not dictators; not harsh, mean, overbearing tyrants ruling with a rod of iron
-gentle, loving, caring, example setting leaders
C. The word “Father” - comes from the greek word “Pater” which has three meanings
1-nourisher or provider, 2-protector, 3-upholder
D. We are facing a dilemma in our society - that God given role is being neglected by men
E. Many of the problems we see today is a result of men not assuming their godly leadership position
*25 million children (36.3%) do not live with their fathers.
*40% of children in fatherless homes have not seen their father’s in a least 1 year. While 50% of children who live without their fathers have never stepped foot in their father’s home.
*63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
*85% of children that exhibit behavior disorders are from fatherless homes
*80% of rapists are from fatherless homes
*71% of high school drop outs are from fatherless homes
*75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers are from fatherless homes
*70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes
*85% of youths in prison are from fatherless homes
*70% of teen pregnancies are from fatherless homes
*72% of Americans polled recently said the physical absence of fathers is the most serious problem facing America’s families.
F. I want to take a look at God’s design for fatherhood and I want every father to ask “How am I measuring up to my God given responsibilities?”
III. FATHER’S ARE TO BE PROVIDERS
A. It is the primary responsibility of the man to be the provider of his household
-even though I am a minister and a pastor, my first and highest calling is to my family
B. God created man first and gave him dominion over the earth
C. When God cursed Adam for his sin, He reinforced that responsibility
-Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
D. If a man fails to provide for his family, he has failed God in the worst way
-1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
E. Our society is plagued with fatherless families, families without men who will provide for their own. Boys who want to prove their manhood but don’t want the responsibilities that go along with it
-single mothers are working 2 or 3 jobs just to provide for their children while the kids are left to themselves
-grandparents are raising grandchildren because their kids are having babies they can’t take care of
IV. FATHER’S ARE TO BE PROTECTORS
A. Until recently protecting the family was the primary responsibility of the men
B. Today we have the military for national defense and police forces for civil protection. Women have an increasing role in all this
C. The greatest danger to our families are not flesh and blood but the spiritual forces of darkness and evil
-many people think an unseen enemy is an unreal enemy, one posing no threat
D. It is the power of the enemy working through people that we must protect our families from
-Eph 2:2 ... the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
E. Many fathers do not take this issue seriously and fail to protect their children from evil influences. They do not fight for the spiritual wellfare of the family.
V. FATHER’S ARE TO BE UPHOLDERS
A. To uphold means to stand up for something, keep up a standard, enforce the rules
B. Our society is severely lacking in fathers who stand up for, enforce and uphold godly, biblical values
C. Our society is severely lacking in fathers who are loving disciplinarians, who instill within their children respect for the laws of the land, other people and themselves
D. Our nation is lacking in fathers who teach their kids to pray, teach them the principals of God’s Word by living it themselves and take their kids to church rather than sending them to church
E. Our nation is filled with children running the streets, getting involved in gang violence and experimenting with drugs, alcohol and sex because either dad isn’t there or dad just doesn’t care
F. Boys are growing up not knowing how to be men because they have no example to follow
*88% of drunk drivers are men.
*83% of people arrested for serious crimes are men.
*85% of all murders are committed by men.
*A man is 25 times more likely to end up in state prison.
*Men are more likely to have ulcers, and to die from cancer, pneumonia, liver disease, strokes, hardening of the arteries and heart failure.
*75% of all suicides are men.
VI. CONCLUSION
A. Where are the men? Where are the fathers?
B. Thank God for the men are doing all the right things; who are doing their best to fulfill God’s greatest call upon their life; who are providing, protecting and upholding
C. May God bless those fathers who are and convict those who are not
D. For the fathers who have done their best and your children have chosen the wrong direction, give your children into the hands of the Heavenly Father
E. Most importantly fathers remember, we will answer to God for the job we do
