Our Good Father
Key Scripture:
Matthew 7:11 (KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
| SUMMARY |
This sermon note talks about how godly fathers ought to be in a culture permeated by something like a “fatherless generation”. Taking key points from the scripture, we learn the characteristics our Heavenly Father has, that we must emulate and lead our generations in the path of life.
| SERMON POINTS |
A Fatherless Generation
If we go out into the world today, we stare at a fatherless generation. There are many struggling through life without godly fathers who ought be as God purposed them to be. Some of the causes that has given rise to this fatherless generation include:
- Dysfunctional families: wherein domestic violence and abuse are the everyday norm. Children need to grow in a healthy family environment but that is very hard in the midst of rising cases of infidelity and divorces.
- Irresponsible or erratic fathers– Fathers who take no responsibility over their families and are given into their own selfish pleasures and addictions. Forgetting to bring up their families.
- Identity issues (homosexuality)- with homosexuality gaining popularity and acceptance, families especially the children struggle with identity issues having no real father figure to guide and lead them.
4.Independant children– No one likes to listen to anyone. There is a rise in a generation that likes to be independent. We have brought this about by placing gadgets in the hands of children and are letting them get ruled by it. This has brought about the horrors of child pornography and disobedience to parents.
At such a time as this, we need godly fathers to take up a stand to model God’s love in their homes and communities. The Bible talks about 3 kinds of fathers.
Fathers in the Bible
- God as our Father
Exodus 4:22,23 (KJV) And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
God is introduced as our Father up to 15 times in the Old Testament alone. He calls Israel His firstborn. We have been given the right to become His children when we receive Jesus Christ into our lives (John 1:12)
- Spiritual leaders as our fathers
1 Corinthians 4:15 (KJV) For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
God has placed spiritual leaders over us as our fathers. Elisha respected Elijah as his father (2 Kings 2:12). Apostle Paul talks about how the church may have many teachers but only a few fathers in the faith to guide them. We need to respect those who teach and admonish us in the Lord as our fathers in Christ.
- Earthly fathers
Ephesians 6:2-4 (KJV) Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The first commandment with a promise is this, to honor your father and mother so that all may go well with you. The Bible also talks about obeying them in all things except on matters that come against our faith.
The Bible asks fathers not exasperate their children in the sense not to provoke them or lead them to sin. This is a big responsibility. Fathers have a mandate to bring their children up in training and instruction of the Lord.
Sometimes at this, earthly fathers fail, spiritual leaders fail but God our Heavenly Father will never fail. Those of the earth can disappoint us. We ought to pray for the them so that they will model the heart of God.
Characteristics of God who is our Father we should emulate.
Ephesians 5:1 (KJV) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
We are expected to follow God as His dear children, to imitate Him and follow His example. He expects us to be like Him in everything.
J I Paker was once asked, “Who is a Christian?” To which he answered, “The one who has God as his Father.”
Similarly our Lord Jesus Christ came to manifest God the Father (Matthew 11:27). That was one His missions on earth. His first and last words on earth were about the Father. The Son reveals the Father to us and more we get close to Jesus Christ and receive Him, we are all given the right to become His children and call on God as ABBA Father.
In the New Testament, we see God as our father almost 200 times. We can draw closer to this Father by drawing closer to Jesus Christ. This is not a one-day happening but it’s a progressive journey we must willingly take.
- Compassion
Psalms 103:13 (KJV) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
Our God is the Father of compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3). It is His compassion or tender mercies that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22,23). We must emulate this compassion of God (Ephesians 4:32). Compassion is moving out for the world, for others, being quick to forgive and kind in deeds.
- Holiness
1 Peter 1:14-17 (KJV) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Holiness is our God’s attribute and He commands us to be holy just as He is. He wants us to be set apart for Him alone. Jesus Christ prayed that we who are in the world, will be protected from the world by the power of His name (John 17:11). And for this very reason, God disciplines us so that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:10). God wants us to be one with the Father just as Jesus was, that doing his will, will be our food and we will never be separated from Him.
The Lord God desires that we become holy in our character and conduct by not conforming to evil desires that cause you to involve in sinful activities (Hebrews 12:14).
Another important aspect of holiness also includes making every effort to live at peace with everyone even those who irritate and offend us.
- Love
1 John 4:11 (KJV) Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
God is love. We get a glimpse of His limitless love, when we look at the cross. God proved His love for us on the Cross-. We are to showcase God’s love to those around us. The apostle tells us that when we love the world and the things of the world, that would mean that God’s love is not in us (1 John 2:15). When we begin to put our affection on the Lord, with that we lose all the idols and pride of life in us.
When God’s love is made complete in us we begin to love one another. We become missionaries of His love and passion, doing more things for the Lord.
- Goodness
Luke 11:13 (KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Our God is good and His mercy endures forever. We need to shine forth His goodness. God’s goodness is His Spirit. When His Spirit comes in us, we become storehouses of His goodness. The Holy Spirit brings forth the fruit of goodness in our lives. We need to long to ask and receive the Holy Spirit.
| CONCLUSION. |
The world is struggling. There is a big vacancy for godly fathers. Everything we do stands worthless if we lose the souls of our children and those God has commissioned us to lead. We need to stop shirking from this responsibility. It’s a big role we are called to play. Let’s set a model by bringing a radical change in following the Lord and loving His word. Rededicate your life to model His compassion, love, goodness and holiness. Take responsibility to learn and lead.
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