A SOLEMN CHARGE TO FATHERS -Part #1
Text. I Timothy 5:7,8 “And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless, But if any provide not for his own, specially for those of his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
INTRODUCTION
I. This Text Declares That a Father is Worse Than an Infidel.
1. This places a tremendous responsibility upon Fathers. It involves morethan just “bread winning.”
2. Every Father is responsible for the moral and spiritual reinforcement in lives of his children.
3. To fail in this regard is fail desperately for family direction and destiny is laid heavily upon a Dad’s shoulders.
II. Lot and His Family are an Example in the Bible.
1. Lot’s family problems can be traced directly to the actions and attitudes of Lot.
2. It is a matter of Biblical record that Lot’s family became dysfunctional due to lack of moral and spiritual up bringing.
a. Lot’s two daughters and their husbands lived sinful lives and were destroyed in the judgment that God visited upon them.
b. Lot’s wife loved Sodom and when she looked back was turned into a pillar of salt.
c. Lot, himself was left on the pages of sacred history as a drunken man in a cave in the company of two unmarried immoral daughters.
(1) Lot., no doubt, reasoned with himself to justify his actions that he could be a witness for the Lord in Sodom.
(2) However, Sodom won over Lot for just before judgment came not one soul could be found that Lot had won for the Lord.
3. It’s a sure thing that certain factors in Lot’s life, accounted for his family’s ruin.
4. As we examine these factors carefully, it is important that we benefit from Lot’s mistakes and purpose to do better.
Putting the text into perspective: What others have said...
I Timothy 5:7,8 :Charge the people thus, so that they may be without
reproach and blameless. I anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and
especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.
“charge the people” ASV. “these things commend.” NASB.
“prescribe these things.” Weymouth, “press these facts upon them.”
Williams, “continue to give these directions.” Berkley version, “drive
home these suggestions.” Godspeed version, “insist upon these
points.”
THE MESSAGE:
I. Dads Be Careful of the Decisions You Make for They Effect the Whole Family.
1. Genesis 13:11 “Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.”
2. Embodied in this verse, is the story of Lot’s decision.
a. Abraham, Lot’s uncle, called upon his nephew between the hill country and the grassy Jordan plain.
b. Eyeing the rich pastor lands, Lot saw the prospect of material gain. It was an opportunity to get rich.
c. It was true, that the nearby cities were exceedingly wicked and Lot had four daughters to consider.
d. But Lot came to a decision and concluded that the markets for his beef were greater importance at the moment, than morals of his daughters.
3. We are prone to look at Lot, as we see him pictured in the Bible which say, “poor, foolish, near-sighted Lot,” which indeed he was. But Dad, I remind you, that you too, can make decisions
which are just as foolish and will, in time,adversely effect your family.
a. This is why it is important to weigh our decisions carefully, the light of God’s Word, and with our loved ones taken into consideration.
4. Abraham provides a study in contrast.
a. This man of God was not looking for the “a quick buck but he “ looked for city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
b. Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked beyond the plains of Jordan. Lot lived for the moment. Abraham lived with and eye to the future.
c. Ultimately, it was the outlook of these men that influenced: the placed they lived, the kind of family they raised, the heritage they left their family.
d. Dad, I ask you, “What is your outlook? What are your values? By what principles are your decisions made?
Continued at Part #2
