Qualities of Godly Fathers
Luke 8:41-42, 49-56
June 15, 2003
Morning Service
Introduction
As we celebrate Father’s Day today, I would like to share the following story about the effect that one father had on his family. This particular family had three small children who were determined to have a puppy. Mom protested because she knew that somehow or other, she would end up caring for the critter. True to form, the children solemnly promised that they would take care of it. Eventually, she relented and they brought their little puppy home. The children named him Danny and cared for him diligently - at first. But, sure enough, as time passed, Mom found herself becoming more and more responsible for taking care of the dog. Finally, she decided that the children were not living up to their promise so she began to search for a new home for Danny. When she found one and broke the news to the children, she was quite surprised that they had almost no reaction at all. One of them even said rather matter-of-factly, "We’ll miss him."
"I’m sure we will," Mom answered, "but he is too much work for one person and since I’m the one that has to do all the work, I say he goes."
"But," protested another child, "if he wouldn’t eat so much and wouldn’t be so messy, could we keep him?"
Mom held her ground, "It’s time to take Danny to his new home." Suddenly, with one voice and with tears in their eyes, the children exclaimed, "Danny? We thought you said Daddy!"
Traditional
The Vital Role of the Father
One of the greatest problems in our society today is the lack of father figures in the home. A study was recently conducted on the effects on American society because of the physical or emotional absence of fathers and the results were shocking.
550% increase in violent crime
400% increase in illegitimate births
200% increase in teen. pregnancies.
300% increase in teen suicide
More that 70% of all juveniles in state reform institutions come from fatherless homes.
The sad fact is that we have underestimated the important role that fathers play in the lives of their families, in the life of our nation and ultimately in the life of the church. Our nation doesn’t need more men to be the head of the household; we desperately need men to be real fathers.
This morning I want to examine the example of one father and see how we can apply the principles of his life to ours.
41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don’t bother the teacher any more." 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."
51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."
53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Body
I. Godly Fathers seek Christ
A. The man Jairus
1. The position of Jairus
a.) Jairus was one of the rulers of the local synagogue. This means that he was in charge of the day to day operations and management of the synagogue.
b.) Jairus was an important leader within the community. The synagogue was more than just a center for religious teaching and worship; it was the center of the entire community
2. The place of Jairus
a.) Jairus was not only important but he was likely also fairly wealthy because of his position. There can be no doubt that he carried a certain amount of power and authority within this community.
b.) Jairus was the picture of both a respected leader and a religious authority. However, this only magnifies the fact that no matter who you are or what your position is in life; you will never be immune to the hardships of life
B. The manner Jairus
1. Jairus was humble
a.) When Jairus found Jesus he fell before Him and began pleading with Him to come to aid of his daughter.
b.) This must have been a difficult thing for Jairus to do but he did do it. One of the sad realities of Christian fathers is that we do not wish to humble ourselves before Christ and admit the fact that we are weak and are in need of Christ’s power
2. Jairus was desperate
a.) Jairus was risking everything to go to Jesus because of the nature of the rising opposition that Jesus was facing.
b.) Jairus risked both his place and his position within the community to seek out Jesus that day.
C. The motive of Jairus
1. The difficulty
a.) Jairus had seen his home turned upside down by the illness of his daughter and now that everything seemed lost he decides to seek Jesus
b.) Jairus had a problem that he could not solve on his own and it drove him to seek Jesus. I believe that sometimes this is exactly what Jesus wants from us. Instead of trying to handle everything on our own; He wants us to start depending on Him.
2. The desperation
a.) Jairus needed what only Jesus could provide and he would not stop until he persuaded Jesus to come to his daughter.
b.) How many of you fathers have a problem that you cannot solve?
Some have children that have gone astray from the Lord
Some are facing illnesses in their families that won’t heal
Some are dealing with family hurts that run deep
Some are dealing with personal or spousal spiritual needs
Today is the day to seek Jesus
II. Godly fathers believe Jesus
A. Jairus receives terrible news
1. Jairus is told that his daughter had died
a.) There can be no doubt that Jairus was crushed; all of his hoping, all of his praying and all of his searching seemed like they were for nothing. Have you ever felt this way?
b.) This was likely one of the worst moments in Jairus’ life and everything was about to come crashing down
2. Jairus is told to leave Jesus alone
a.) Jairus had been pulled from Jesus’ side to be given this news and the messenger tells him to leave Jesus alone.
b.) There seemed to be no reason to seek Jesus any longer. It was time for Jairus to go home and face the hard fact that his daughter was dead.
B. Jesus gives different news – Three key statements
1. The first statement – Do not be afraid
a.) The concept of being afraid was to be completely controlled by fear, dread or anxiety
b.) Jesus was telling Jairus that he should not be overwhelmed by this awful news
2. The second statement – Just believe
a.) Jesus was telling Jairus to believe, he was asking Jairus to place his complete and total trust. Jesus was saying “trust me”
b.) Jairus needed to keep trusting Jesus even when it seemed like all was lost and all hope was gone.
3. The third statement – She will be healed
a.) Jesus literally says that Jairus’s daughter will be restored
b.) Jesus was telling Jairus that everything was going to be okay even though things seemed impossible
C. Jairus watches the impossible
1. Why did Jesus heal the woman with the bleeding?
a.) Jesus did not have to stop on the way to Jairus’ house. The woman who touched Jesus was already healed and she did not need for Him to stop.
b.) Jesus stopped not only for her benefit but also for the benefit of Jairus, so he could see the impossible become a reality
2. Jairus’ daughter was restored
a.) Jairus’ daughter had died from the illness. Her spirit had left her and there is no doubt that she was dead.
b.) Jesus raises her from the dead. Luke tells us that her spirit returned and she awoke.
Conclusion – Four key lessons from Jairus
1. Don’t be overwhelmed
a.) There are things in this life that are absolutely and totally beyond your control. There are situations in life that no matter how hard you work there is nothing that you can do to change them.
b.) When situations are beyond your control they are in Christ’s control. You can place your complete and total trust in Jesus.
2. Simply trust in Jesus
a.) No matter how difficult the situation you face. No matter how large the task. It is not greater than the power that rests in Christ. I want to tell you today fathers that the truth is simply this: If Christ does not spare you from difficulty; He will give you the strength to go through it
b.) Christ is not waiting for you to get through all of your problems and trial to go to Him. Instead, He is waiting for you to seek His presence and power in the midst of the difficulties. He is waiting for you to put your trust in Him
3. Never lose hope
a.) Hope is the glue that holds the fabric of life together. When we are without hope, our life loses much of its power.
b.) Jesus communicates very clearly to Jarius and to fathers today that there is always hope as long as there is faith in Him.
4. With faith the impossible becomes possible
a.) Impossible is not in the vocabulary of Jesus, after all He is the one who died and rose again. Nothing is impossible for Him to do! Impossible has no place in the life a godly father. Jesus Himself said: Everything is possible for him who believes
b.) Even the most difficult circumstances in life can be transformed by the power of Jesus
