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Father’s DayTod Kennedy, June 19, 2005
Introduction – Fathers have a difficult job
• As with any authority figure, fathers have a difficult job; and, they are sometimes resented. Unlike our heavenly father, human fathers are imperfect—they fail, disappoint, react, forget, get tired, and do not perfectly organize their time. The Bible says much about fathers.
1. God designed human fatherhood • Human fathers are necessary in the proper function of the divine institutions. God delegated the authority in the family to fathers. Fathers give love, stability, order, instruction, discipline, and direction to a family (Proverbs 3:12; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23; 6:1-4; Hebrews 12:7-10). 2. God the Father is our Model • God our Father has a relationship to believers. It emphasizes His authority, plan, responsibility, fatherly care and comfort, and His example for human fathers. God the Father created and rules all creation; He planned redemption, our spiritual relationships, our life, and He cares for His kingdom (Ephesians 1; John 17; John 14; Matthew 6.8-13; 32-33). • We believers depend upon Him to care for us and to direct us. He is the model or pattern for human fathers (Matthew 5:48; 6:32-34; 1 Peter 5:7. 3. God the Father planned for blessing • The Father has planned wonderful blessing and service for believers (Romans 8.28-30; Ephesians 1.3-11; 2:10; 3.10; Romans 16.20). • Earthly fathers should train, discipline, and prepare their children to serve God and enjoy his blessings (Exodus 12:24-28; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 31:9-14; Proverbs 3:12; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:7-11). 4. God the Father loves his children • Our Father guarantees love and security in relationship with him (Romans 8.28, 31-32, 38-39; Ephesians 1:3-8; 1 John 3.1-2; Galatians 4.6). • Human fathers can and should guarantee to their children security, love, and protection (Mathew 7:11; 19:14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 15:11-32; 1 Timothy 5:8). 5. God the Father teaches his children his word that prepares for time and eternity
• Our
Father teaches believers his word through the Holy Spirit, through pastors
and teachers, through teachers, and through life situations (John 16:12-15;
• Human fathers are responsible to teach their children God’s word and the character traits that God’s word teaches—honesty, responsibility, manners, hard work, humility, helpfulness, servant attitude, and others (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 4:1, 20; 5:1; 6:20; Ephesians 6:4). 6. God the Father cares for and comforts his children • Our Heavenly Father is merciful; he cares for us and comforts us. He cares for us more than we care for our loved ones. He comforts us in suffering and from this we learn how to comfort others (Luke 6:36; 1 Peter 5.7; 2 Corinthians 1.3-4; Philippians 4.19). 7. Words with meaning for fathers
8. Summary—God the Father is the pattern for human fathers, and it is based on love
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