SIX VIRTUES OF A FATHER

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   It is easy to become a father.  It is difficult to be a good father.

 

B.   There are many books on the market about being a good father. 

1.    The problem is that there are not very many fathers who take the time to read them.

2.    Those who do read them often do not apply them.

3.    Those who do make application of them may only apply a few things for a brief period of time.

 

C.   It is good for us to hear about our position as a father and our responsibilities as a father from time to time.  When we get lax, the devil can take opportunities to overcome us.

 

D.   In this lesson, we want to talk about “Six Virtues of A Father.”

1.    We will be examining six virtues.

2.    We will use the word “father” for the acronym.

 

I.             F – FEARLESS

 

A.   Fearless

1.    Having little fear

2.    Acting courageously

3.    Overcoming fear with great heart

 

B.   There are many things that a father can fear.

1.    How do we raise responsible children from the cradle to graduation?

2.    How do we protect our children from the dangers and sins of the world?

3.    How do we fight the evil influences that seek to diminish our role as fathers?

4.    How do we make certain we are not overcome by the evil one and become ineffective in our role?

 

C.   Let’s consider one verse (Deut. 31:6).

1.    The Guidance

 

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them…

 

2.    The Guarantee

 

…for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 

a.    The person:  the Lord thy God

b.    The partnership:  he it is that doth go with thee

c.    The promises: 

1)    He will not fail thee:  He will not let you down

2)    He will not forsake thee:  He will not depart from you

 

II.           A – ALTRUISTIC

 

A.   Altruistic

1.    Selfless

2.    A person who is concerned with the well-being of others

3.    A person who seeks to assist the needs of others

 

B.   The altruism of a father needs to begin at home.

1.    A man’s wife has needs

2.    A man’s children have needs.

3.    A man’s home has needs.

 

C.   Two verses:

1.    1 Timothy 5:8

 

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 

a.    The word “provide” means “to foresee,” “to see beforehand.”

b.    Before one becomes a father, he needs to look into the future and see the needs, demands, and obligations put upon him.

c.    When he chooses to become a father, he must do all he can to fulfill the needs that were foreseen. 

2.    Romans 15:3

 

For even Christ pleased not himself…

 

III.         T – THANKFULNESS

 

A.   Thankfulness

1.    Gratitude

2.    Appreciation for what we have

3.    The intentional giving of thanks for blessings

 

B.   We live in a world that has difficulty with thankfulness.

1.    We are very aware of what we don’t have.

2.    We have a tendency to compare ourselves with others and think we fall short of the blessings and the lifestyle they have.

3.    We complain, blame, and become critical of others.

 

C.   Verses:

1.    1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

2.    Ephesians 5:20

 

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.    Everything and all things.  Question:  Do you have too many of something?  Shoes, tools, pillows, sports equipment, books, etc.

 

IV.         H – HUMBLE

 

A.   Humble

1.    Thayer:  not rising far from the ground

2.    An understanding of one’s person and abilities without elevating them over others

3.    Not proud, arrogant, or high-minded

 

B.   Pride and self-promotion, along with tearing down others, is the rule for many.

1.    We have to promote ourselves to get into schools, programs, and to get jobs.

2.    Those in the world are constantly comparing themselves with others and concluding that they are better.

3.    Many have developed the “my way or no way” attitude.

 

C.   Verses:

1.    1 Peter 5:6

    

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

 

     a.  The Responsibility:  humble yourself

     b.  The Reminder:  under the mighty hand of God

     c.  The Reward:  that he may exalt you in due time   

                   2.  Proverbs 16:18

 

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

 

V.            E – EXCELLENCE

 

A.   Excellence

1.    Striving to do one’s best

2.    Conforming to high standards

3.    Eliminating excuses for low performance

 

B.   Again, our world has a tendency to ridicule and reject those who perform to a standard of excellence.

1.    Just enough to get by

2.    What we did was enough.

3.    No one should try to go overboard

 

C.   Verses

1.    Ecclesiastes 9:10

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…

 

2.    Colossians 3:23

 

And whatsoever ye do, to it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men

 

VI.         R – REVERENT

 

A.   Reverent:

1.    A feeling of deep respect for God

2.    Awe, honor, and reverence for God

3.    Esteem that leads to veneration and worship

 

B.   Our society is quickly moving away from reverence for God.

1.    Fewer and fewer feel the need to worship, even on the Lord’s Day.

2.    We believe that we know best how to serve God rather than letting Him reveal to us how He wants to be worshipped.

3.    Man has come to believe that he must save himself instead of allowing deity to save him.

 

C.   Verses:

1.    Psalm 33:8

 

Let all the earth fear the Lord:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

 

2.    Revelation 15:4a

 

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name?  for thou only art holy…

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have only looked at six virtues in this lesson.  There are so many others that could have been mentioned.

1.    F – Faithful

2.    A – Adaptable

3.    T – Temperate

4.    H – Honest

5.    E – Earnest

6.    R – Reliable

 

B.   ChatGPT:  “Show a list of virtues that begin with the letter…”  Many will appear.

 

C.   The best way to be a good father is to study the heavenly Father (Eph. 5:1).

 

Be ye followers of God, as dear children.