A Father

Rev. James R. Reynolds, Sr.
June 19, 2005
Sunday Morning

Title: "A Father"

Text: I John 2:13,14

In knowing God brings a great responsibility upon us. A man can be a husband without being a father. You must have a child to be a father. The great responsibility is in imparting our knowledge of God to our children.

I. A father must teach his children.

This responsibility is great and grave to teach our children. Theodore Roosevelt said, "I can either be President of the United States of America or I can be a father to my 16 year old daughter. I cannot be both."

Deut. 6:7 They will not retain it all, but they will retain a consciousness of and reverence for God. Genesis 18:9--"His house, his rules."

Gypsy Smith said to his father when leaving for a campaign, "Dad, while I am away I want you to carry me to the throne of God every day." His father responded, "No, I won't Son, I placed you before the throne of God many years ago, but I will pray that God will keep you there."

Genesis 35:2 If you want your children to meet with God, then, get the idols out of the home. If you are going to serve God you must have a clean house. Acts 19:19 (over 3 million dollars) Most often the best way to get rid of the devil is item and all and not just portions and parts.

II. A father must train his children.

Psalm 78:5; Proverbs 22:6 We must be examples.

I Kings 2:2 "I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;" We teach greatest by our example. A father was teaching his son what a Christian was in detailed description and when he was done his son looked up at him and asked, "Dad, have I ever seen a Christian."

III. A father must discipline his children.

    Joshua 24:15 Discipline is necessary. A girl asked her dad what "suspension" meant at school. Her dad replied, "That is when you do your school work at home standing up because your seat will be too sore sit on."

IV. A father must love his children.

In showing true love a father must discipline his children.

Children need to know that they are loved. Tell them often as well as show them often. The father's example is the Heavenly Father Who gave His all.

"I speak unto you, fathers, teach, train, discipline, and most of all love your children."