Join Our Mailing List

Print this page

WHAT IS A GOOD FATHER

(A Sermon In Song with others participating)
Father’s Day
June 20, 2010

    What is a good father?  Paul said, “Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord” (Eph.  6:4).
    That’s a challenging assignment, but it a Dad’s Greatest Job.  An unknown poet wrote:

    I may never be as clever as my neighbors down the street,
    I may never be as wealthy as some other men I meet;
    I may never have the glory that some other men have had,
    But, I’ve got to be successful as a little fellow’s dad.

    There are certain dreams I cherish that I’d like to see come true,
    There are things I would accomplish ere my working time is through;
    But, the task my heart is set on is to guide a little lad
    And to make myself successful as that little fellow’s dad.

    It is that one job I dream of; it’s the task I think of most;
    If I’d fail that growing youngster, I’d have nothing else to boast;
    For though wealth and fame I’d gather, all my future would be sad,
    If I’d failed to be successful as that little fellow’s dad.

    I may never get earth’s glory; I may never gather gold;
    Men may count me as a failure when my business life is told;
    But, if he who follows after is a Christian, I’ll be glad—
    For I’ll know I’ve been successful as a little fellow’s dad.
                —Author Unknown

I.   The Scriptures say, “:13  As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe]” (Psa.  103:13, Amp).

    Love, which includes understanding and patience is essential for children.  This means listening with an open mind.  It means avoiding criticism and blame.  It means unconditional acceptance;
    We have some good fathers in our church.  Three have agreed to share their testimony concerning their experience.

_______ will speak on the importance of loving our children.

FATHER: “I feel one of my greatest responsibilities as a father is to love my children.

CHOIR: “When the Saints Go Marching In”

II.  The Scriptures say:  “My child, listen to your father’s teaching
and do not forget your mother’s advice”   “The Lord corrects those he loves,
just as parents correct the child they delight in” (Prov.  1:8 and 3:12).
    Instruction which includes demonstration and discipline is essential for children.  This means being a good role model.  It means explaining the reasons for our demands.  It means allowing the consequences of their actions to reward or punish if possible

________ will speak on the importance of teaching our children.

FATHER: “I feel one of my greatest responsibilities as a father is to teach my children.

CHOIR: “Faith of Our Fathers.”

III.   The Scripture says,   “If your children ask for a fish, which of you would give them a snake instead?  Or, if your children ask for an egg, would you give them a scorpion?  Even though you are bad, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:11-13).
    Food, clothing and shelter are essential for children.  This means providing resources to insure their physical health and safety.  It means providing a pleasant environment for growth.  It means being a consistent wage earner who provides for educational and recreational opportunities.

________ will speak on the importance of providing for our children.

FATHER: “I feel one of my greatest responsibilities as a father is to provide for my children.

SOLO:     

The Scripture says: “Fathers, do not nag your children. If you are too hard to please, they may want to stop trying” (Col.  3:21).

    Being a father is so important that Jesus uses this analogy for God.
    Someone paraphrased the story of the Prodigal Son and wrote “The Prodigal Father.”  He said, “A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of thy time, and thy attention, and thy companionship and thy guidance which falleth to me.’
    “And he divided unto them his living, in that he paid the boy’s bills and sent him to the finest boarding school; paid for private lessons, and tried to believe he was doing his duty.
    And not many days after, the father gathered all his interests and ambitions, and took his journey into a far country, into a land of stocks and bonds, and other things that do not interest a boy, and there wasted his precious opportunities of being with his son.
    When he has spent the very best of his life and had gained money, but had failed to find satisfaction, there arose a mighty famine in his heart, and he began to be in want of companionship.
    And he went and joined himself to one of the clubs of that country, and they elected his as president of the club, and sent him to the legislature.
    And he fain would have satisfied himself with the husks that other men did eat, and no man gave him real love or respect.
    But, when he came to himself, he said, “How many men of my acquaintance have sons whom they understand, and who talk about their sons and associate with their sons and seem happy in their relationship with their sons, and I perish with loneliness.
    I will arise and go to my son and say unto him, ‘Son, I have sinned against you and all heaven, and am no more worthy to be called thy father.  Make me as one of thine acquaintances.’
    And he arose and came to his son, but while he was yet afar off, his son saw him and was moved with astonishment.  He would not run and fall on his father’s neck, but drew back and was ill at ease.
    And the father said unto him: ‘Son, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am not worthy to be called thy father.  I have not done my duty unto thee.  Forgive me now and offer me your love and respect.’
    But the son said, ‘Not so; I wish it were possible, but it is too late.  There was a time when I wanted to know things, when I needed companionship and counsel, but you were too busy.
    Unfortunately, I got the information.  And I got the companionship, but I got the wrong kind; and now, alas, I have wrecked my life, destroyed my soul and body and there is nothing you can do for me’”
            —Gary Osteen
   
    We must be good fathers because lives depend on it and our future depends on it.
(WC1119)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyrighted 2010 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS MESSAGE IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works. 

NEW PERSPECTIVES is a free service from Diversity Press.   

Our offer of books for postage still stands.  We have copies of 11 books to send.  (Those books which were originally in Spiral- back binding are now available on CD only).

You may find other messages and a book list on our Webpage:
                                  www.ForMinistry.com/USOKSOBCOFBC5
or                               www.diversitypress.com

Email: wdiversitypress@aol.com or milesewesner@gmail.com
Phone: 1-580-286-3148

Remember, you may cancel at any time by replying with CANCEL written on the SUBJECT line and click on REPLY.   Your address will then be excluded from receiving any more NPs.

Miles E Wesner