Today’s message summary of June 19, 2016 from Pastor Gus Brown:
The task of being a father can sometimes seem to be unending. When will the kids leave? When will they take care of themselves? Upon reflection, it goes by very, very quickly.
Today, there have been fathers that have run from the responsibility because it is a heavy load to be a father; furthermore, a lot of fathers are not prepared to be a father. Fathers did not raise a lot of them.
The bible teaches how to be a father, but it is important for us to look at successful fathers and learn to live the way that they do. Our heavenly Father is an excellent example of that. He loves His children and cares for them.
We need to see more examples of fathers who know their Father.
The definition of a father should go beyond mere financial support. The courts are only concerned about this, but children need so much more…they need emotional support.
Children without fathers will grow up and experience emotional problems, and often they result in behavioral problems.
God has a plan for fathers. The question is whether or not fathers will work according to the plan that God has laid out for them.
Using the word FATHER as an acronym:
F – Father. The fathers are to know the Father. There should be a strong relationship between the two.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Impress upon your children that the heavenly Father will guide them even when you are not present. They are to be obedient to God, and they should see your obedience and reverence of God, as well.
Psalm 127:4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.
A – Advice. The child of a skilled father will follow his direction, take his advice and live in a capable manner.
Proverbs 4:1-2
Listen, my sons, to a father’s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, for I am giving you good instruction. Don’t abandon my teaching.
If a father fails to teach his child, someone else will be teaching him something.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
A father affirms his children. He gives them recognition by simply saying, “you are mine.”
A child values a father’s affirmation. We value when God affirms us with His love and compassion for us. He does not measure us by how successful we are. We still are His.
Three things that are very important for a father to give to a child:
- Recognition.
- Acknowledgment (Acknowledge them in their accomplishments).
- Accepting him for who he is.
T – Teacher. Fathers are the teachers. They educate their children and impart knowledge and skills for life.
H – Hero. A father is the hero of his child. Every child needs a hero. He is a person who is highly revered (respected) for their courage (heart). A fathers is the reliable helper in the life of his child. He ministers to him and guides him, and helps him do what is right.
E – Encourager. A fathers is to be an encourager. He imparts strength and confidence to his child and gives him valuable support.
R – Readiness. A father brings about a state of readiness for his child. When this occurs, the child is ready to perform, and perform well.
A child is prepared by his father to be ready to perform in life, and this is important because life never asks if you are ready–it just comes at you. (People who are ill prepared and not ready tend to run away from life.) A father readies his child for life no matter what may come along.
Proverbs 22:6
Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Fathers are the caretakers of their children. Let’s be the best caretakers that we can be.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 