Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

Prepared by Nathan L Morrison for Sunday June 19th, 2011 Text: Prov. 1:8; 6:20-22 Scripture Reading: I Chr. 28:9, 20; Titus 2:2, 6-8

Intro
I.

II. III. IV.

Each Lords Day we gather together to remember the death of Jesus, the greatest sacrifice of all and learn how we can be better fathers, mothers and children. Today is set aside as Fathers Day across our nation. A. It is a day for children to honor their father, and to think about the lessons and love that fathers have given to their children. There are many lessons that we can learn from fathers lessons that help us define love, duty, honor, bravery, courage and sacrifice, and examples that serve as warning of what not to do! We will consider the examples of fathers in light of the good, the bad, and the godly!

I.

The Good Physical Well-being

A. Abraham Gen. 24:1-9 1. Abraham was advanced in years, and Sarah his wife had died and was buried
(Gen. 23). 2. He turned his attention to the welfare of his son Isaac, and sought for him a wife from his relatives, not the Canaanites, and sent his trusted servant so that Isaac would not return to the place God called him from. 3. He looked out for his physical well-being as well as his spiritual! 4. Gen. 24:10-15: His most trusted servant prayed to God for success, and before the prayer had completely left his lips, God answered with Rebekah. 5. Gen. 24:67: Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and he took his mothers tent as his own, and he was comforted over his mothers death in his wife. 6. Abraham was a loving, concerned father! B. Joseph Gen. 48:8-20 1. Jacob and Joseph had quite the reunion after a number of years separated, and in his old age, Jacob adopted Josephs sons born to him in Egypt 48:1-7 2. Jacob blessed Manasseh and Ephraim, but crossed his hands to bless Ephraim (the younger) with the blessing of the first-born. 3. Joseph tried to correct his father to get Manasseh his due by right of birth. 4. Joseph was concerned for his physical well-being! 5. What memories Jacob must have had: His own father had blessed him (the younger) through deceit, but here he was intentionally blessing the younger, understanding God does not always favor the firstborn. 6. Though Joseph didnt understand, he was a loving, protective father! C. Nobleman/Jairus Jn. 4:43-54; Lk. 8:41-42; Mk. 5:35-43 1. Similarities: a. Both sought Jesus to heal their children who were dying. b. Both wanted Jesus at their childs bedside. c. Both men realized their positions, wealth, nobility, or leadership could not save their children. 2. Differences: a. The noblemans son was ill; Jairus daughter was ill. b. Jesus did not go to the noblemans house (25 miles) but said, Go; your son lives He did not witness the miracle, but was told about it later. c. Jesus went to the house of Jairus, even though he was told not to bother since Jairus daughter had died Jairus witnessed the miracle. d. The nobleman and his whole household became believers!

3. Both men were looking out for their childrens physical well-being! 4. Both men were loving fathers! D. To love and want the best for your children is a good trait for a father to possess!

II.

The Bad Ungodly Influences

E. Isaac/Jacob Gen. 25:28; 37:1-5
1. Isaac and Rebekah showed favoritism and it tore their family apart. a. Gen. 27:6-17: Rebecca taught trickery and deceit to her son Jacob in order to deceive her husband Isaac into giving the blessing to him. 2. Jacob learned from his parents but not the lesson it should have taught! a. He too showed favoritism; to Joseph and it tore his family apart! b. Understandable, but wrong: He loved Rachel more than Leah, and Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin Gen. 29:30; 35:16-20 c. She left Jacob Joseph and Benjamin, and he favored Joseph. 3. Favoritism causes jealousy, anger, and hatred and can tear a family apart! F. Eli I Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25 1. Eli was the judge and a priest of Israel (I Sam. 4:18: Judged 40 years). 2. He knew his sons were worthless men but did not rebuke them (3:13). a. I Sam. 2:22: They fornicated with the Tabernacle serving women! 3. I Sam. 3:11-14: God told Samuel He was about to carry out all that He had said He would do against Eli and his house (I Sam. 2:27-36). a. He would cut off his descendants and bless Samuel as judge and priest! 4. Eli is an example of failing to discipline/raise his children in the Lord! G. Saul I Sam. 20:30-34 1. Saul had tried to kill David by pinning him to the wall with his spear twice before (I Sam. 18:11; 19:9-10) He was jealous of David (18:7-9, 28-29) 2. He wanted to kill David at the dinner and became suspicious when David did not show the 2nd day, and when asked Jonathan told him he had sent him to Bethlehem (I Sam. 20:27-29). 3. Saul rebuked Jonathan and told him as long as David lives Jonathans kingdom will never be established (Jonathan was the crown-prince). a. I Sam. 23:16-17: Jonathan knew David would be king, as did Saul. 4. Saul then hurled his spear to kill Jonathan! (The one he was so concerned about being king!) 5. Saul had a faithful son and a faithful servant in David, but stands as an example of the dangers jealousy and hatred can lead to! H. These fathers are examples of what NOT to do!

III.

The Godly Spiritual Well-being

I. Abraham Gen. 18:16-19 1. God said He had chosen Abraham because he would teach (command) his

children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice. 2. What a compliment and commendation towards Abrahams character! 3. God chose him to be the father of a great nation (Gen. 12:2) because he would teach them about righteousness and justice! 4. Abraham was a father concerned for the spiritual well-being of his family! 5. Abraham was a godly father and godly example to many! (Gen. 24:10-15: His servant prayed to the God of my master Abraham) J. David I Kings 2:1-4; I Chr. 28:2-10, 20-21 1. David had made mistakes as a father before, but in the case of Solomon, he stands as a godly example! a. He left him words of encouragement, admonition, and warning, and above all told him to be faithful to God and he would be blessed! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly 2

b. He left for him the provisions for the temple (David had wanted to build it, but God appointed Solomon to build it). 2. David was a man after Gods own heart (I Sam. 13:14), and he did all he could to ensure Solomon would walk faithfully in his footsteps! 3. David was a father concerned for the spiritual well-being of his son! 4. David was a father who put God first and was blessed for it! K. Solomon Prov. 1:1-9; Eccl. 12:10-14 1. Solomon was blessed with riches, honor, wisdom and understanding above any king over Israel (I Chr. 29:25; II Chr. 1:1, 7-12). 2. He, like David, left words of wisdom and godly encouragement to his son. 3. Though he fell from Gods grace in his older years, it appears he may have come back by the words of Ecclesiastes, if they were written afterwards. 4. Regardless, he wrote down words of wisdom and words to live by for his son to follow (even if his example in older years was tarnished). 5. Eccl. 12:13-14: Solomon laid out the clear duty of man: Fear God and keep His commandments for there is a day of judgment. 6. Solomon was concerned for the spiritual well-being of his son! 7. Solomon was a godly father who followed the example of his godly father! L. Every child should be thankful and honored for fathers who have showed their love and duty for God first and for teaching Gods word to their family!

Conclusion
I. II.
In the home, godly fathers are needed to lead the family in the charge of God! A godly father, along with his wife, will diligently train his children to know God. A. Prov. 1:8; 6:20: Hear, my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. III. A godly father will not forsake his God-given role as teacher and disciplinarian of his children. A. Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15; Eph. 6:4: Discipline is for the childs good, and is necessary to train them in proper way for them to go, in the instruction of the Lord! IV. A godly father should be a godly example for his children. A. I Chr. 28:9, 20; Titus 2:2; 6-8: Our children ought to know the God we serve, the God of their father, and in everything we need to be a godly example! V. Godly fathers deserve our praise and honor because they diligently watch over our souls! VI. What kind of father are you or will you be? A. The good, the bad, or the godly? VII. If you are not a Christian, you need to be. Repent and be baptized into His name! VIII. If a Christian in error, dont wait till its eternally too late. Repent and be renewed! IX. Whatever your requests, let them be made known NOW while we stand & sing!

Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly