The Reward For A Christian Father

Mayor Gerardo Balmori

The Salvation Army

Introduction:

Today’s world don’t make it easy to be a Godly Dad. We often make the assumption that Dads

really need to be thrashed about the head and neck for failing to live up to God’s standards – and

then wonder why they don’t come to church. Men I have the inspiring privilege to share with you

the power of being a man of God.

We live in a world where Father’s are disparaged at every turn. Turn on the TV – you will find the

vast majority of men portrayed as bungling, insensitive, boozing, lecherous, jerks. It is rare to find

a father portrayed in a good light. Maybe that speaks to the state of entertainment in the US or

maybe it speaks to the state of manhood in our society – but either way the messages are all

wrong. Don’t get me wrong– there are plenty of bungling, insensitive, boozing, jerks out there –

but in my experience there are far more – men who are genuinely trying if often failing to do it

right. Let’s talk about doing it right and the rewards found in getting it right.

Psalm 128 – this psalm many believe is a psalm that was sung during Israelite marriage

ceremonies. It has wonderful teaching for us as men today.

1) You have the power to be happy – We live in a generally unhappy society.

The truth is that people make a living making you unhappy. From advertisers who are telling you

that you need their product to make you happy – to political power brokers who get elected by

telling you that they will make you happier than the other guy – the world runs on making you

unhappy. We all know people who are killing themselves to get ahead in life, to find happiness.

Many never find it. Psalm 128 starts out with the word “blessed”. To be blessed is to be truly

happy, regardless of circumstances. It includes well-being, fullness, prosperity. The Jewish

Talmud says “We see life, not as it is, but as we are.” It’s a matter of perception, which means that

some people will never be happy, no matter what. True happiness is not something external or

fleeting; it is within, and for good. Happiness isn’t a matter of luck; there are no tricks involved.

We have the power to be happy – but often we look in the wrong places. This passage says that if

we Fear God and walk in His ways that we can find happiness.

2) You have the power to make your home what you want it to be

– Verses 3-4 tell us that our homes can be blessed. The picture of wives as fruitful vines and

children as olive plants is more than a picture of a large and growing family. It is a picture of

prosperity, comfort, and love. Grapevines and olive plants are symbols of prosperity – riches – in

Jewish culture. This picture is not of a perpetually pregnant wife (whew ladies) but of a home

where there is a richness and comfort and prosperity. In Japan there is actually a buisness that

rents ready made families for a fee who will show up on their doorstep and greet them with

enthusiastic warmth. It’s not a cheap service, but the business is a huge success. The founder of

the company explains, “What is common about our clients is that they are thirsty for human love.”

Unfortunately I am afraid the company will be short lived as people find out that you cannot buy

love and it cannot be fabricated. The truth is though that too few of our marriages show the

blessing of God today. Often they are marked with bitterness – confusion – and apathy. The truth

is that we as men have the power to transform our marriages and our children by the choices that

we make. The Scripture again says that if we fear God and walk in His ways that our homes will be

full of His blessing.

3) You have the power to transform the world around you – Psalm

128 talks about the prosperity of the nation of Israel. You – men – have the power to make our

community and our nation strong and prosperous – or weak and failing. It depends on where you

place your focus – where you spend your time – what you teach your children. Are you teaching

your children how to have a happy home – a lifelong marriage – and success in life? Are you

preparing the next generation to be a Godly generation? Your teaching will be the lifes blood of the

next generation of Political leaders, journalists, teachers, preachers, and laborers. The values that