Good Morning Everyone!
We're all here this morning to worship and praise Our Father in heaven...
And I though we're here to worship Our Father in heaven,
I know there are many dad's here this morning, so this is going to be a message for you...
There's a lot of children, in this present age, who are growing up without their dad's.
Some have passed away, but I'd have to say the majority of the families, that I know,
it's because of divorce or separation.
Now, if any of you dad's here today, are in this situation,
I'm sure you are doing what's right by your children..
What Scripture calls us, as father's to do!
Am I right?
"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."
Now, I'm aware that sometimes, dad's get a bad rap. Churches often spend Mother’s Day bragging on Mom and Father’s Day beating up on Dad...
Isn't that true?
I recall one
small boy, in Bible class who said, "Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t
spend as much on the gift."
May I speak for fathers everywhere when I
say, “Hello! What gift?”
(laughter)
Mark
Twain once said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could
hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to 21, I was
astonished at how much the old man learned in just 7 years."
Can I get a witness?
What part of “no” don’t you understand?
This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.
Why? Because I said so!
I wasn’t asleep; I was just resting my eyes.
Shut the door; were you born in a barn?
A little dirt never hurt anyone.
As long as you live under my roof, you’ll live by my rules.
I’m not made out of money.
Don’t make me stop this car!
Go ask your mother.
I'm sure none of the dad's here, have ever used those lines, am I right?
(laughter!)
Well, I may have... at least once!..
or 100 times
(laughing)
Jewish
tradition insists that fatherhood is not necessarily biological. But the
one who actually raises a child is considered the true parent. Teachers are like
fathers, so much so that their honor takes precedence especially in
those situations where the father is only a biological relationship and
it is the teacher who provides what a father should provide: guidance,
values, discipline, direction and love.
In the first century, families were presided over by fathers who could do whatever they pleased in their homes. Rome had a law called patria potestas, which meant “the father’s power.” Men who were Roman citizens were given absolute rights over their families. By law, the children and the wife were regarded as the patriarch’s personal property, and he could do with them what he wished. A displeased father could disown his children, sell them into slavery, or even kill them if he wished.
When a child was born, the baby was placed between the father’s feet. If the father picked up the baby, the child stayed in the home. If he turned and walked away, the child was either left to die or sold at auction.
Seneca, a contemporary of the apostle Paul, described Roman policy with regard to unwanted animals: “We slaughter a fierce ox; we strangle a mad dog; we plunge a knife into a sick cow. Children born weak or deformed we drown.”
Things are not much better today, are they?
The fact is millions of unwanted babies are aborted each year!
Children today, have become a disposable commodity in our society, just as they were in Rome!
But the Bible calls Christian fathers to a different standard!
Our kids are not property to own but image bearers of God, who need to be trained.
Dads, we are called to provide a proper nurturing environment where our kids can grow up to love and serve the Lord!
It was counter-cultural in the first century, and it still is today!
The New Testament challenges us to see the word “father” as a verb not just a noun. It’s biologically easy to become a father, but biblically challenging to actually “father” our children.
The Bible very clearly challenges dads to be the provider, but a spiritual leader in their homes because the ultimate responsibility for what a family becomes belongs to the father. And the primary part of that responsibility is striking a balance between LOVE and DISCIPLINE.
"If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?"
Hebrews 12:7
"as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children."
1 Thessalonians 2:11
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4
"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Colossians 3:21
No one can take the unique place of a dad!
Say that with me.
No one can take the unique place of a dad!
Amen!
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God."
1 Corinthians 4:5
One of the biggest threats to the generation we are now raising is absentee father's and the breakdown of the family!
Lifelong marriages provide the foundation for social order; everything of value rest on those underpinnings. Historically, when the family begins to unravel in any culture, everything else is adversely affected!
Here is some hard truths:
While the national average for the United States in 2014 is 40 percent, the proportions of births out of wedlock for whites are 29 percent; Hispanics, 53 percent; and blacks, 71 percent!
An astonishing 85% of children with behavior disorders are from fatherless homes!
71% of high school drop outs are from fatherless homes!
70% of teen pregnancies are from fatherless homes!
80% of rapists are from fatherless homes!
75% of teen patients in drug abuse centers are from fatherless homes!
70% of juveniles delinquents in correctional institutions are from fatherless homes!
85% of youths in prison are from fatherless homes!
63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes!
Four decades ago, we believed that poverty and racial discrimination were primarily responsible for juvenile crime and behavioral problems. Now, nearly all of the evidence points to the breakdown of the family as the real culprit, and predicts a societal catastrophe if we don’t STOP what we are doing and turn this trend around! 72% of North Americans say the physical absence of fathers is the most serious problem facing our families.
We need to end the trend!
Say it with me,
We need to end the trend!
But how can you buck the trend?
By submitting and committing your life totally to Christ and raising your family to do the same!
Christian fathers do not lie, steal, lust and covet! Christian fathers do not serve the god of money!
Christian fathers do not sire and then abandon their children! Christian fathers do not cheat on their wives!
Christian fathers don’t send their kids to church, they take them! Christian fathers have a REAL relationship with God!
The greatest need of the hour is united homes where Christ is exalted!
Many of you were raised in homes where this was NOT the case, but the Bible has special value for you since it shows us an IDEAL father – God Himself!
"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?"
Matthew 7:9
The part that so many miss, is the fact that we must 1st be born again to receive God’s blessings!
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."
John 15:7
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all. But is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
Galatians 4:1-7
I want to appeal to all of the Father's!
Dad's, it is time to believe God for your family and intercede for your family!
If you have belief and faith, God will work in your life!
If you think you are lacking in faith, call out to the Lord anyway and ask Him to increase your faith!
"Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Extol Him who rides on the clouds,
By His name Yah,And rejoice before Him."
Psalms 68:4
In closing...
There are a lot of amazing dad's out there, and we thank God for each of you!
And for all the mom's, grandparents, others who are taking the place of absentee dad's.
God is watching, He knows the struggles you face.
When become too difficult, Call upon the Lord, Our God
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears."
2 Samuel 22:7
But there are some who need to hear this Word of God!
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
1 Timothy 5:8
"He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing."
Deuteronomy 10:18
Our children are in GREAT NEED of their fathers!
To be present, whether inside or outside of the home!
To Show up, be involved in the daily lives your children!
To LEAD them, guide them through the struggles of their life!
And if you do not, you will NOT be found guiltless in the eyes of Almighty God!
Return to God and your children fathers', today is not too late!
"Return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you,"
Deuteronomy 30:2
WAKE UP!
Your Father in heaven has NOT abandoned you!
He has Not forgotten you!
And He will be there when you need Him and call upon Him.
And so should you be as the earthly father to your children!
And now for the blessing,
May the the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
Brian Monzon Ministries