OceanSide church of Christ

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WHAT MAKES A GREAT FATHER?

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     On July 5, 1908, a sermon was preached in a church in West Virginia in honor of 362 men who died in coal mining accident the previous December.  Most give this date as the first observance of any type of Father’s Day.

 

B.      However, it was not until 1972 that President Nixon made Father’s Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

 

C.     Today is that day. 

1.       We begin by saying to all fathers:  “Happy Father’s Day.”

2.       This morning we want to look at a subject entitled:  “What Makes A Father Great?”

 

I.                    A MAN WHO LIVES THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

 

A.     It is interesting that the words “the Christian life” are not found in the New Testament.

1.       However, they do represent the kind of life a great father should live.

2.       A father who lives the Christian life lives a life that is patterned after Jesus Christ and His divine Word.

a.       In 1 Peter 3:16, we read about a “good conversation in Christ.”

b.      Paul exhorts the Philippians with these words:  “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

 

B.      Why is a father “great” if he lives the Christian life?

1.       He gives his children a pattern to follow.

a.       Children have a “natural” attachment to their parents.  By natural, we mean one that is God-given.

b.      Children watch their parents.  They will often mimic what they see. 

c.       If a father is walking in the footsteps of Jesus, the chances are good that his children will as well.

2.       If a father is a Christian, he presents his children with a “holy” standard of living

a.       1 Peter 1:15

 

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

 

b.      If a father is not a Christian, what standard of living does he offer his children?

1)      A conversation spent in the lusts of the flesh (Eph. 2:3).

2)      A manner of life that involves the “old man” of sin (Eph. 4:22).

3)      A “vain,” that is, An empty conversation (1 Pet. 1:18).

4)      A “filthy conversation” (2 Pet. 2:7).

 

II.                 A MAN WHO HAS RIGHTEOUS WIFE

 

A.     A child does not enter into the world by means of a man alone.  There must also be a woman involved.

 

B.      A good father will usually have a righteous wife by his side.

1.       Abraham had Sarah by his side.

2.       Isaac had Rebekah.

3.       Zacharias had Elisabeth.

4.       Joseph had Mary.

5.       Aquilla had Priscilla.

 

C.     A husband and wife are to form a team in their lives together. 

1.       The woman’s role is not that of a leader and spokesman for the family. 

a.       When God formed the woman, He placed upon her the responsibility of being a “help” meet for her husband (Gen. 2:18).

 

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.

 

b.      The wise man’s description of the virtuous woman reveals her the role she plays in her husband’s life (Prov. 31:11-12).

 

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 

2.       Some women do not appreciate this role. 

a.       Question:  Wasn’t John the Baptist in a support role for Jesus Christ?  He did not despise his role.  He accepted it and carried it out with diligence (John 3:28-30).

 

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom:  but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice:  this my joy therefore is fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

b.      If a prophet like John can appreciate and accept a support role in the work of God, why can’t Christian wives do the same?

 

III.              A GREAT FATHER HAS A GOOD NAME

 

A.     “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” (Prov. 22:1).

 

B.      A good name involves one having a good reputation.

1.       The person is sensible not foolish.

2.       The person is responsible not childish.

3.       The person is godly not sinful.

4.       The person is honest not deceptive.

5.       The person is kind not mean.

6.       The person is compassionate not hard hearted.

7.       The person is humble not proud.

 

C.     NOTE:  A person who has a good reputation is not perfect:  Noah, David, Peter, and Paul

 

D.     A good name comes from years and years of consistent living. 

A good name comes from the courteous treatment of all individuals.

A good name comes from a positive attitude that encourages others.

A good name comes from a disposition that gives others the benefit of the doubt.

A good name comes from a life that is filled with good works done in secret.

 

E.      A good name is something a father can pass on to his children. 

1.       His name rings it he ears of others.

2.       His name causes individuals to assume certain things of the person’s family.

 

IV.              A GREAT FATHER IS INVOLVED IN INTENTIONAL TRAINING OF HIS CHILDREN

 

A.     The commands given to fathers

1.       Proverbs 22:6

 

Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

2.       Ephesians 6:4

 

And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

B.      Bringing children up to follow the Lord is not accidental.  It is intentional.

1.       Bible study is found in the home.

2.       The children are taught to pray.

3.       Family worship is a common practice.

4.       The Lord’s church holds a place of prominence in the home.

5.       The parents elevate Bible class and worship in the eyes of their children.

6.       Children are taught how to be involved members of the local church.

 

C.     Intentional training is not easy.

1.       It is not just desired; it is done.

2.       It is not for a few minutes; it involves a large investment of time.

3.       It is not accomplished by osmosis; it is accomplished by creative diligence.

4.       It is not done by giving in or giving up; it is done by firmness and discipline.

5.       It is not turned over to others; it is done by the father himself.

 

V.                 A GREAT FATHER WEARS THE SCARS OF BATTLE

 

A.     Abraham was a great father (Gen. 18:19).

 

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice, and judgment…

 

B.      Abraham wore the scars of battle.

1.       The scar of leaving things behind (Gen. 12:1, 4)

 

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get the out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee…so Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him…

 

2.       The scar of hardships in life (Gen. 12:10)

 

And there was a famine in the land:  and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

 

3.       The scar of fear (Gen. 12:12-13)

4.       The scar of family strife (Gen. 13:7-8).

And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle…

 

5.       The scar of battle (Gen. 14:14-16).

6.       The scar of family dysfunction (Gen. 16:4-6)

7.       The scar of judgment (Gen. 18-19)

8.       The scar of sacrifice (Gen. 22:1-19)

9.       The scar of death (Gen. 23:2).

 

And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan:  and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

 

C.     Great fathers will pass through the valleys of hardship, struggle, and testing.

1.       The great fathers endure.

2.       The great fathers learn and mature.

3.       The great fathers remain faithful and steadfast to God.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     In this lesson, we have discussed what makes a great father.

1.       It is not wealth.

2.       It is not power.

3.       It is not position.

 

B.      Great fathers…

1.       Live the Christian life.

2.       Possess a righteous wife who supports them.

3.       Have a good name.

4.       Intentionally train their children in spiritual things.

5.       Wear the scars of battle.

 

C.     Children do not always appreciate great fathers.

1.       They make training hard.

2.       They rebel against their training.

3.       They do not follow in the footsteps of their father.

 

D.     Most children, however, appreciate a great father.  They come to realize the diligence and the sacrifices their father have made on their behalf.