June 19, 20005 Summit AM

Valuing Fathers

Introduction

A. Text – Mt.15:1-9

B. Many of the teachings of God have been twisted or ignored

1. Men thought they knew better – changed or ignored them

2. Saw them of little value – felt others more important

3. One such command in text – honor father & mother

a. OK to ignore this – better to give funds to God

b. Let parents fend for self

c. More spiritual way to use that money

4. Jesus saw what behind this – wickedness of man’s heart

a. Looking for ways to gratify himself

b. Ignore or pervert what God said was important

C. Focus this morning – Valuing fathers

D. Pray

I. God Places A Tremendous Value On Fathers

A. Look at the responsibilities placed upon him

1. Designated him head of the family

a. One responsible to lead, protect & provide for them

1) Called upon the wife to submit – be suitable helper

2) Calls upon the children to honor, respect, obey

b. Mal.4:6 – proper focus = destruction averted

2. Calls upon him to be the family spiritual leader

a. Deut.6:4-9 – impress them on children (teach diligently)

b. Eph.6:4 – bring up in training of the Lord

B. Tremendous sin to dishonor them

1. Ex.21:15,17 – attack or curse (despise or make light of)

2. Eph.6:1,2 – rewards for obeying, honoring them

C. Not all are deserving – are to be honored

1. Eli – failed to discipline sons (consequences on Israel)

2. Jacob – showed favoritism & divided family

3. Mt.23 – God still uses them to provide leadership

II. How We Are To Place Value Upon Them

A. Hold them in high regard

1. 1 Tim.5:1 – don’t rebuke – chastise with words (strike them)

(speak encouragingly, appeal to them, not demand)

2. Col.1:20 – obey them in everything

B. Take care of them when they age

1. Mt.15:3-9 – to be uncaring makes worship vain

2. 1 Tim.5:8 – uncaring = worse than an infidel

C. Continuously encourage them in the Lord

1. Let them hear how valuable they are to us

2. Express to others how much they mean to us

III. How Fathers Can Be More Valuable To Their Families

A. Always listen closely to God

1. James 1:19-22

a. Quick to listen = attentive & alert for His message

b. Be out front as an example

2. Share faithfully that message with your family

a. 1 Thess.2:10-12 – as a father we shared

b. Never keep to yourself the spiritual truths revealed to you

B. Be a man of commitment

1. To God

a. Mt.6:33 – seek 1^st God’s kingdom & righteousness

b. Allow nothing to deter your spiritual growth

2. To your marriage

a. Eph.5:25 – Love wife as Jesus loves church

b. Allow nothing to divide you – make marriage work

3. To your family

a. Take seriously raising your children in the Lord

b. Be active, not passive – get fully involved

C. Be Courageous enough to change

1. Many raise their children as they were raised – good enough for me

a. Content to do as their fathers did

b. Never looking for better ways

2. Be creative – each child is different

a. Make sure not to break their spirit

b. What doing will affect future of mankind

D. Be watchful for any enemy infiltration

1. 1 Pet.5:8 – be watchful, enemy seeks to devour

2. Satan is always on the prowl – always dangerous

3. Teach family to recognize & resist

E. Be committed to leadership & discipline

1. Don’t leave this to chance (school, government, etc)

2. Become actively involved – in any & all instruction & discipline

3. Gen.49:3,4 – Reuben compared to turbulent waters

a. No shape on its own – conforms to container

b. Went along with brothers although greatly disturbed

c. Lived a life of compromise – not be trusted take a stand

Conclusion

A. Being a father should never be taken lightly

1. Is a tremendous responsibility & opportunity

2. Always be honoring them

3. Always be seeking to be the best father you can be

B. Pray