The Godly Father

INTRODUCTION

• Happy Fathers Day! (Hand out items to all Fathers)

• I want to start by saying thanks to all the dads here this morning for being men of the Word.

• It is an honor and pleasure to have my dad here today to celebrate Father’s Day.

• We have many examples to look at in the Bible of Godly Fathers. This morning I want to expound on some of the character traits that a Godly Father portrays.

• Let us look to the Word of God today!

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

~Author Unknown~

1) What does the bible say about Fathers?

A. A father is a giver. He gives of his time, talents, treasures; he is a teacher of the Word to his family, a good example of Christ to others, and a servant to the Most High.

(NKJV) Matthew 7 9Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

B. A father is one who functions in a fatherly capacity. He is instrumental in the growth of his children’s life, to help them grow spiritually, emotionally and physically.

C. A father acknowledges his responsibility and commitment to his family.

D. A father provides good things to his family, just like our Heavenly Father.

E. A father serves his family in the same way that Jesus came to serve us.

(NKJV) Matthew 20 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

F. A father leaves behind a legacy & inheritance to his children and wife.

(NKJV) Proverbs 13 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

2) A Father serves in many capacities.

A. In the capacity of king or the head of the family. Men are in a sense the king of their castle, just as Christ is the head and or king of the church. Understand that every decision whether good or bad will affect everyone in the home. Fathers need to have the mind of Christ in order to make wise and Godly decisions for the family.

(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 11 3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

B. In the capacity of priest. Just as Jesus is our High Priest who sacrificed His life for us all and is always interceding for us. In the same way men are to make sacrifices for their families and never cease to intercede for them. The role of a priest is to intercede on behalf of the people and to sacrifice.

(NKJV) Hebrews 6 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

C. In the capacity of warrior.

• As the warrior that we are, most of the battles are going to be won on our knees.

(NKJV) Ephesians 6 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

3) Our Heavenly Father.

A. Our Heavenly Father is faithful and His Word is truth. It is this truth that we place our confidence in Him. As fathers, we must be trustworthy and truthful.