INTRODUCTION
What do people mean when they give a two-thumbs up sign? That means approval to what you are doing or what you have become?
A FATHER’S PRAYER
Lord,
I need your special care.
Like your earthly father, Joseph,
I want to do God’s will,
even if I may not always understand.
Make me gentle and selfless
in the care of my family and children;
help me guide them in the toils and troubles,
the happiness and wonders of this life.
Like my Father in heaven,
make me strong in love and forgiveness
for those you entrust to my care.
No one can do these things rightly, Lord,
without your constant help and boundless mercy.
Be with me always,
and may I come to you in heaven,
and all my family with me.
Amen.
How to become an approved father in the sight of God?
I. ACTIVELY LEAD YOUR FAMILY, 18 (1 Timothy 3:4; Nehemiah 8:12)
It is to the father that the Lord gave the task of headship in the family. Even in the OT, the wives submit to the husbands.
A. Lead as God has been leading you (like a good shepherd, not a bossy type, not of fear and intimidation but of love)
· God is actively in charge in our daily affair—He knows what is happening to us
· He is our good shepherd—bringing or leading us into a green pasture
B. Lead as God has been commanding you (Teach, train and model to them the ways of God.)
Illustration 1: (Negative)
Priest Eli is an example of a passive father.
Illustration 2: (Positive) Family Worship
1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there’s an 80 percent likelihood that you’ll worship God regularly as an adult.
2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there’s only a 30 percent probability that you’ll worship regularly as an adult.
3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the likelihood that you’ll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70 percent!
Fathers have an enormous impact on their children’s faith and values. One of your most important ministries is worshipping with your kids!
On the Father Front, Christian Service Brigade, Spring, 1995, p. 4
II. AFFECTIONATELY LOVE YOUR WIFE, 19
A. Love as God has been loving you (John 3:16, a sacrificing, redeeming, protecting and caring love)
B. Love as God has been commanding you, see Ephesians 5:25ff (Love your wife as you love yourself, as your own body. Being treated in the way you treat yourself.)
III. AFFIRMATIVELY LOOK UPON YOUR CHILDREN, 20-21
Some fathers are halfheartedly accepts their duties as fathers. They refuse if not reluctantly attend to their children needs.
“Do not exasperate your children”—provoke to extreme anger
Treasure them as gifts from God
Praise them for the good things they have done or trying get done better
Do not abuse them. Do not suppress their feelings. Do not “saklaw” their personality.
A. Look upon them as God has been looking upon you
B. Look upon them as God has been commanding you
· Looking upon them also includes forgiving them when sin, you there’s a lot children who are in need of forgiveness
Illustration: 800 Pacos
There’s a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.”
On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.
Bits & Pieces, October 15, 1992, p. 13
A FUNNY STORY ABOUT A PROVIDING FATHER:
A young man falls in love and decides it’s time for him to ask for his beloved’s hand in marriage. So he decides to play it safe and go to her father for his blessing.
The father heard his intention, and asked some questions: "What do you want to do with your life?"
The young man answered: "I go to church every Sunday and thank God for his goodness to me. I’m very religious."
"But my daughter will have to be supported. How do you propose to take care of her?"
"Don’t worry," the young man replied, "God will take care of us."
"But she’ll want a house to live in, and a place to raise a family."
"Don’t worry," the young man replied, "God will take care of that."
When the father returned home, his wife asked him: "So, what do you think of our daughter’s suitor?"
"He seems very nice," the father replied. "But he thinks I’m God."
A STORY ABOUT A PROTECTIVE FATHER:
A little boy was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party of a friend who lived only a few blocks away. When the day finally arrived, a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The lad’s father, sensing the danger, hesitated to let his son go. The youngster reacted tearfully. "But Dad," he pleaded, "all the other kids will be there. Their parents are letting them go." The father thought for a moment, and then replied softly,
"All right, you may go." Surprised but overjoyed, the boy bundled up and plunged into the raging storm. The driving snow made visibility almost impossible, and it took him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party. As he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look out into the storm. His eye caught the shadow of a retreating figure. It was his father. He had followed his son’s every step to make sure he arrived safely. Unknown (contributed by Mark Hensley to SermonCentral.com)
CONCLUSION
Becoming an approved father is to actively take the leadership in the family, to affectionately love everybody in the family and affirmatively looking upon your children. You are to demonstrate the father image of God in your family. Do not misrepresent God.
If you want to see “two-thumbs up sign” being accorded to you, be an approved father in the Lord.
