The Values of a Father - Father's Day Sermon
subtitle: How to be Right Even When You are Not
Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-7; Ephesians 6:
Ephesians 6:4 — And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
1. Provide Healthy (Practically and Spiritually) Motivation in the Right Direction
- "If you do not do ....I am going to tell your father when he gets home."
All have sinned ... are bent, crooked, selfish and in need of straightening out
- "PROVOKE" (not) to anger alongside; to enrage --- What are we pushing them towards?
Romans 10:19 — But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
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provoke [parorgizo] not your children to wrath [parorgizo]
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by a foolish nation I will anger [parorgizo] you.
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It is healthly to "PROVOKE"/"to challenge
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It is the duty of fathers to use their fatherly authority moderately and to God's glory.
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DO NOT OVERDO IT - Why moderation?
Colossians 3:21 — Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (spiritless, disheartened, dismayed)
2. "BRING THEM UP" - NOURISH THEM IN THE GOOD STUFF
- but bring [ektrepho] them up [ektrepho]
- ektrepho — to rear up to maturity; ("from out of"; "feed nourish")
- Not grab them by the ears but nourish them
a. Honor, Respect, Obedience (POLITE)
Exodus 20:12 —
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Matthew 19:19, Colossians 3:20
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How we speak to one another
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WHAT SUPPORTS & UNDERMINES THIS VALUE?
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Valuing Elders, The VALUE OF LIFE, VALUE OF SELF
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Don't cut each other down and be particularly sensitive in earshot of your children
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I believe in the value of life. I believe we must prepare our children for tomorrow with the family values of my grandparents. --Ryan Zinke
b. Embrace our Duties and Magnify Them
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This is what is NECESARY, NEEDFUL, ESSENTIAL.
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Duty is not a bad word.
The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age, prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. The duty of parents. Be not impatient; use no unreasonable severities. Deal prudently and wisely with children; convince their judgments and work upon their reason. Bring them up well; under proper and compassionate correction; and in the knowledge of the duty God requires.
c. Unity - Not being a Trouble Maker - "But a + not a - in whatever you are a part of".
- Acting does not come easy or very enjoyable for me ...
Psalm 133:1 — Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
- More important than being "right" or having the last word.
- Matthew 5:9 "blessed peacemakers"
- Galatians 6:2 "bear each other's burdens"
Ephesians 4:2-3 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- WHAT SUPPORTS & UNDERMINES THIS VALUE? TOGETHER
- Eating Together
- Creativity, Problem Solving Together, "Working it Out"
- Church, Praying and Reading Together
- Playing Together
d. THE SANCTITY of the HOME - Training Ground
Ephesians 6:4 — And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 — Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
- WHAT SUPPORTS & UNDERMINES THIS VALUE?
- Hard Work, Responsibility
- Helping Others, Volunteering
e. Faith, Trust and Honesty
Luke 18:16 — But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
f. Mutual Comfort and Blessing
Proverbs 17:6 — Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
- Proverbs 10:1; Psalm 127:3-5
- It is the ordinance of God that in well-trained families the parents and children shall be a mutual comfort and honor to each other.
3 John 1:4 — I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.