FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE
“The Role of a Godly Father”
Ephesians 5:22-33
(Read by Michael Vespucci, followed by a prayer)
OPENING JOKE: “Home Library” A classified ad was seen recently in the newspaper that read: “Complete Set of Encyclopedia Britannica. Excellent condition. Never been used. ‘Wife knows everything’!”
INTRODUCTION: Welcome and happy Father’s Day.
Illustration: “History of Father’s Day” In 1909 in Spokane Washington, a woman by the name of Mrs. Dodd was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at her local church. As she listened, thoughts of her father started to come into her mind and she realized that there had never been a day set aside to honor fathers also.
So she initiated the process of getting that day set aside. The mayor of her town set aside the third Sunday in June as ‘Father’s Day’. This was then reinforced by the governor of Washington when he made it a state-wide holiday.
Then, in 1972, President Nixon made the holiday permanent by signing a congressional resolution which called for an official recognition of Father’s Day.
Fathers are really amazing people
Quote: “It’s been said a father is a man who carries pictures where he once carried money.”
JOKE: “Human ATM” A man sat quietly on a bench inside the mall. Periodically, one of his three daughters would momentarily appear and he would hand them some money. After patiently sitting on the bench for nearly an hour, the man stood up to go purchase a cold drink. Emblazoned on the back of his T-shirt were these words . . . “Human ATM.”
You will remember that on Mother’s Day I gave a pretty heavy sermon about the responsibility of mothers and the influence their lives have on their children.
One man in the congregation met me at the backdoor and jokingly said, “I’m afraid to come on Father’s Day!”
But I believe it is good, especially on days that are set aside to honor our mothers and fathers, that we be reminded of what these roles encompass.
***Today we are going to learn what the Bible says is the role of a Godly father
• NOTE: There is a lot of talk about the ‘traditions’ held within Scripture
o Most people like to shrug off Biblical principles for the family as ‘antiquated’ if they do not align with current societal trends
o They say things like, “Well, in Biblical times, things were different, and ‘this or that’ no longer applies”
o And I agree (to a point) that certain History portions of the Bible were more about tradition and custom than being models for Godly behavior. Such as…
Israelites keeping slaves
Parents choosing their children’s spouses, etc.
• But when the Bible gives specific commands, these should not be interpreted as the traditions of men, but as the will of God revealed in His Word
o And when looking at the role of the father, the Scripture gives us the appropriate qualities he should possess
o Quote: The Scriptures give God’s model, not human tradition, of what a father should be
Our main verse for today says that a Godly husband (and father) is one who imitates Christ. “Love your wives as Christ loves the Church”. [Ephesians 5:25]
He should imitate Christ as a…
I. Provider
a. Christ is the ultimate provider to us
i. He provides salvation through His finished work on the cross
ii. He provides eternal hope to us, who would otherwise have none
iii. He provides us with the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily walk
iv. Christ is the model of a good provider
b. Husbands and fathers are also called to be providers
i. I Timothy 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.”
ii. These seem to be harsh words
iii. Especially in a day when men seem to be more interested in providing for themselves than for their families
c. Now I realize that in today’s society most families have both parents working
i. It is hard not to with the cost of living
ii. My wife works, and that is not inappropriate
d. But realize though, in God’s economy, it is primarily the husband’s and father’s responsibility to provide for the physical needs of the home
i. Of course there are always exceptions
ii. A father who has a crippling disease or a debilitating ailment would not be expected to work and provide
iii. But the Bible is providing the model for a Godly home – which is a providing father
e. Does this mean the mother provides nothing?
i. Quite the contrary
ii. The mother has also the responsibility to provide for the family
iii. She provides on the same level as the father – just not always in the same way
f. QUOTE: But the masculine pronouns used in this verse (he, his)are not an accident, but an accelerant to light the fire under men who do not provide for their homes
i. Men, know this:
ii. We will face God and answer for how we provided for our families
iii. This verse says that those who do not provide are worse than unbelievers
g. I believe this verse is a wake-up call to men about their responsibility as a provider!
The Godly husband and father should imitate Christ as a provider and a…
II. Protector
a. Christ protects the church (His body of believers)
i. He protects us from God’s wrath which will be poured out on sin
ii. He protects us from eternal separation from God
iii. He protects us from overwhelming temptation
iv. Christ is the model protector
b. When our verse for today says “as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her” it is referring to the divine protection given by Christ to the church
i. It is interesting just how deep this goes if you think about it
ii. The Bible is telling men to have a love that runs so deep they are willing to give their own lives to protect their wives
1. And I believe this also stems to the family
2. NOTE: The verse on providing we read earlier [I Tim 5:8] could also include providing “security for the family”
c. Peter echoes Paul’s comments in his epistle:
i. I Peter 3:7 “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel...”
ii. Now, if ever there were a verse that angers the women’s movement, it is this one
iii. What does he mean, “Weaker vessel”???
d. Here is the answer:
i. Men and women are equal, but different
ii. Remember I teach self-defense classes here at the church and I deal with this issue all the time
iii. Men’s exteriors are designed to withstand more injury, absorb more shock and endure more punishment than women’s
1. NOTICE: I did not say, “endure more pain” – because, trust me, men couldn’t imagine what child birth is like
2. That is why I said, “Equal… but different”!
a. And this rule doesn’t always apply; I have seen some strong women!
b. JOKE: Two boys were arguing about their fathers. One said, “My dad can beat up your dad!” and the other replied, “Big deal, so can my mom!”
3. We are designed very differently – and generally the male is the physically stronger of the two
iv. Illustration: “The Porcelain Vase and the Steal Vase” Imagine you have a steel vase and a porcelain vase. Which would be stronger? The steel one, of course. But which would be more valuable? The precious porcelain.
e. QUOTE: The Bible pointing out the man’s natural tendency to be the physically stronger of the two should not be insulting to women, but encouraging to men to realize their God given responsibility to be protectors of their wives and their families
The Godly husband and father should imitate Christ as a provider, protector and a…
III. Priest
a. Christ is our High Priest
i. He assures a constant connection with God the Father
ii. He prays to the Father (intercedes) on our behalf
iii. He comforts us through the Person of the Holy Spirit
b. Likewise the father is called to be the ‘Priest of the Home’ or an example of ‘Christ in the Home’
i. A Godly father should assure a constant connection with God
1. Men, it should not be our wife’s responsibility to make sure we’re in church on Sunday
2. We should be the ones who get the kids up and ready
a. Who don’t take no for an answer when it comes to church
b. Instead of sleeping in and letting the wife go do her ‘church’ thing
3. For years women have been the backbone of churches because the men were too busy playing with the world
a. Did you know: The Bibles says if your wife has a question about her faith, she is supposed to ask you first?
b. That verse indicates that you, as the Godly father, are supposed to have an answer!!!
c. Now, how are you gonna have an answer for her when she has a question about the Bible when the one that she bought you ten years ago is still in its original wrapper???
4. You not only have the responsibility for your own connection to God, but to keep your family tapped into the things of God
a. You can’t force your kids into the things of God
b. But you can sure make it easier for them by keeping their connection to the things of God constant
ii. A Godly father should intercede for his family
1. Let me ask a question to the fathers in the room:
2. How many times can you remember hitting your knees and going to God in prayer concerning your kids?
a. Now if your kids have ever been sick, I am sure you’ve been there
b. But I am talking about just going to God about their lives
3. Interceding means to “plead on another’s behalf”
a. If you are a father, you should be daily interceding for your children
b. Even if they are grown – go to God daily on their behalf
iii. A Godly father should be a comforter
1. Remember, the Scripture that is translated comforter, means ‘one who walks beside’
a. A Godly father should be a man who stands with his wife and children
b. Someone they can count on
2. But, Scripture also indicates that the ‘Comforter’ reproves of sin and righteousness
a. The role of a Godly father (and mother) is also disciplining the children
b. It is up to you to explain to them what is right and wrong
c. They may not appreciate it now – but they will
i. Proverbs 23:13 “Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.”
ii. Now that’s better advice than Dr. Spock ever gave out!
d. Illustration: “Daddy’s Hands” That country song really had it right; “Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was crying. Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I done wrong. Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle, but I’ve grown to understand, there was always love in daddy’s hands”
e. Quote: Sometimes discipline is the greatest love a father can show for his child
CONCLUSION: The world truly lacks Godly fathers
I would venture to guess that many of the men here today are ‘good’ fathers
They are providing for their families
They protect their homes
But how many Godly fathers do we have today?
How many of you are heeding our verse, and being the Priests of your home?
How many of you could honestly identify yourselves as the ‘spiritual leader’ of the house?
Well that, my boys, is your mission!
It’s not easy
But God is with you all the way when you submit to Him and become the man He has called you to be
You might say, “Well, my wife knows way more about the Bible than I do”
Great, learn right along side of her
And you start being an example to her for a change
Show her she doesn’t have to beat your rear end out of bed on Sunday morning, or force you to read the Bible daily
If God has impressed it upon your heart today to make a change, and you make it – I promise you your wife will be amazed
You know all the Bible says about women ‘submitting to their husbands’?
I have never met a woman yet that had a problem with it, whose husbands were fulfilling their Scriptural requirement
You love her like Christ loves you – and she should respect you for it – and the rest shouldn’t even be a question
