The Role Of Fathers (Father's Day Sermon 2022)

THE ROLE OF FATHERS

Text: Ephesians 6:4

And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4 NRSV).

  Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, but raise them up with loving discipline and counsel that brings the revelation of our Lord (Ephesians 6:4 TPT).

In his book Heroic Path, John Sowers, describes his scary journey as a father of two daughters. He, himself grew up without a dad, grandad, or uncle around which left him feeling “lost at sea”. But, he said, it was” love that gave him confidence” (John Sowers. Heroic Path. New York: Jericho Books, 2014, p. 7). His observation was keen and profound from what he began to learn. He said “Our greatest challenge as men is to carry our assigned weight. ….. The specifics look different for each one of us. We may not know how to carry our weight, but love calls us to figure that out. We are all tempted to despair, to get discouraged and stall out. …… Some men numb out, overeat, oversleep, avoid. Millions quit. Others stand firm under the weight”. ( pp 26 - 27). Being a father is both a joy and an awesome responsibility that should never be taken lightly.

Today we will explore the role and vacuum of fatherhood and the legacy of fatherhood.

ROLE or VACUUM of fatherhood

What happens to kids without the active role of godly fathers?

1) God’s design: God meant for earthly fathers to be a godly model in all respects who model good works, integrity and dignity (Titus 2:7).

2) From generation to generation: Deuteronomy 6:6-9  Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.  (7)  Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.  (8)  Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead,  (9)  and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (NRSV).

3) Teachers: The first grade teacher asked one of the students if he know his numbers. He said he did----that his father taught him. “Okay ,”the teacher said, “let’s see how much he taught you.”

The boy agreed so the teacher asked , “What number comes after two?” “Three, “ answered the boy.

“What comes after five?’

“Six.”

“What comes after eight?”

“Nine.”

The teacher was pleased with the boy. “Very good,” praised the teacher.

“It looks like your father did a great job. So tell me, what comes after ten?”

“A jack,” the boy answered.” (Michael E. Hodgin. 1002 Humorous Illustrations. Grand Rapids, 2004, pp. 132 - 33). You get the point. What we teach our children matters!

What happens to children where there are absentee fathers?

1) Statistics: Statistically, one of the most common problems in the brokenness of young people today is the absence of fathers. How many children wind up acting out in anger because they were mad at their “absent without leave” fathers?

2) Canvases: Our role as father’s is much like a blank canvas that has not been painted on yet. What we do and say matters. To illustrate that point consider this observation: “American artist James Whistler was never known for his modesty. On one occasion, he was advised that a shipment of blank canvases had been lost in the mail. When the authorities asked him if the canvases were of any great value, Whistler replied, "Not yet, not yet." Like a blank canvas, the value of our lives can be limitless if we allow God to create his masterpiece in us.” (Raymond McHenry. McHenry’s Quips, Quotes & Other Notes. [Today in the Word, Dec. 1992, p. 8]. McHenry Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 193). Apart from doing things God’s way, we will more than likely make a mess where God wants a masterpiece!

3) Fill in the blanks: When absentee dads are not there in the lives of their children, then children learn to fill in the blanks without their dad’s guidance. For good or ill. How can children learn about godliness, good works, integrity, dignity (Titus 2:7) from a father’s perspective if the father has gone absence without leave? How can children learn about how to love God with all of their hearts, souls, minds and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) and from a father’s perspective if he neglects to impress it upon them through walking, talking and teaching them from the time they rise till the time they go to bed (Deuteronomy 6:6- 9)?

4) Parental Alienation: Sometimes fathers are absent not because they want to be but because they are excluded from having any interaction with their children by the choice of an ex-wife. It goes without saying that “Parental alienation” can also make a mess where God wants a masterpiece!