These Are The Words I Would Say

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12

I. INTRODUCTION (Focusing Activity)

Happy Father’s Day! Many Father’s Day sermons seem to blast dads and tear them down for their struggles in parenting, but I hope to be more positive and reflective today as we honor how our dads teach and guide us. We will also honor how God our Father teaches and guides us.

These past few weeks I have been contemplating my own mortality a little more than usual. How quickly 44 years of my life have flown by. As some of you know, I became an adoptive dad close to 11 years ago. It has radically changed my life and my thinking ever since.

Many Christians vocally and abusively bash even other Christians over the abortion issue, but let me ask these questions: Have you adopted a child? Are you providing healing or more harm to situation? Are you just a clanging gong or clashing cymbal without true love? Remember, the healing begins with me. That is why I believe God has blessed Nancy and I with an epically awesome adopted daughter. I want to encourage you to become a part of the healing.

And now as a Dad I have been reflecting on what I am teaching my daughter and what would I say to her to encourage her in her faith journey with Jesus. Perhaps in my own reflection it will help you in your faith journey as well with your loved ones.

These Are the Words I Would Say

(Sidewalk Prophets)

(Final chorus lyrics revised by me)

Three in the morning,

And I'm still awake,

So I picked up a pen and a page,

And I started writing,

Just what I'd say,

If we were face to face,

I'd tell you just what you mean to me,

I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going to do great things,

I already know,

God's got His hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,

You said you were hurting,

And I felt your pain in my heart,

I want to tell you,

That I keep on praying,

Love will find you where you are,

I know cause I've already been there,

So please hear these simple truths,

These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,

I will say,

Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope,

You're going to do great things,

I already know,

God's got His hand on you so,

Don't live life in fear,

Forgive and forget,

But don't forget why you're here,

Take your time and pray,

Thank God for each day,

His love will find a way,

These are the words I would say.

II. CRITICAL REFLECTION

• What last words would you say to those you love dearly in this life?

• What would your life actions say to those you love dearly in this life?

• What is my life teaching and showing my spouse, children, and grand-children?

• What is the legacy of true success I will leave here?

III. TRANSITION

King Solomon left us with great fatherly wisdom and some great reflections in his proverbs. Each proverb contains a wise truth and a conditional promise that holds true and is relevant for us today.

There is perhaps no better introduction to this section of Scripture we will review today than the very first words of the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 1:1-7.

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,

To perceive the words of understanding,

To receive the instruction of wisdom,

Justice, judgment, and equity;

To give prudence to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion—

A wise man will hear and increase learning,

And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

To understand a proverb and an enigma,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

IV. SCRIPTURAL REFLECTION

Read Proverbs 3:1-12. (Unless read in a Scripture reading prior to the sermon).

1. Don’t forget these simple truths. (vv. 1-2)

A. Wise truth:

Proverbs 3:1. My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart…

We all want to be remembered fondly by our loved ones. As dads we want our children to remember the good things we have said and done and forgive the wrong. We want, above all, a place in our children’s hearts, a place that is indelible, where they will always remember us.

God wants the same thing. He wants an indelible place in our hearts where we remember how good and wise He is.