June 17, 2018
“Father’s Day”
First of all. Men, You can do this!
Whatever it is God is calling you to do and calling you to be, you can do and be it!
The enemy is a liar and he’ll any means or platform to convince, persuade and manipulate you into believing a lie. The lie that you can’t be a successful man. The lie that you can’t be a good father. The lie that you can’t be a man of God who impacts the world. All lies, but over time very easy to believe if we are not careful.
Men, I want to remind you that you can do this.
You can effectively lead your family.
You can make at positive difference.
You can be a major influence.
You can succeed.
In fact if you are committed you will succeed.
Why do I believe this?
1John 4.4 (NKJV)…because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
I had all intentions of sharing with all the Men (especially fathers) here today how you could become a “better” father and some simple things you could do. But as I spent time praying for and thinking about today, I felt it very important to not focus on correcting behavior (although important), but to focus on the DNA and heart of your Heavenly Father. Because as you discover HOW your Father Fathers you, it changes the way you relate to others especially your kids.
I thought it was interesting that God is called “Father” 15 times in the Old Testament and 245 times in the New Testament.
One hundred of these references are found in John’s gospel and the name is used 51 times just in John 13-17.
J.I. Packer was asked, “What is a Christian? His answer is great – “The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father. “Father” is the Christian name for God.”
Of all the names and titles of God, in my opinion, none is more precious, promising as is the term “Father.”
He is a father that is personal and desires intimacy. He is not distant from us.
In the OT, God visited His people. In the New covenant He inhabits His people. This is a understanding that changes many things in your life.
Think about this – The angel of the Lord said to Joseph that Jesus would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us”!
The Bible even closes with the assurance of God forever present with His people in Revelation 21:3 –
3 And I heard a thunderous voice from the throne, saying:
“Look! God’s tabernacle is with human beings.
And from now on he will tabernacle with them as their God.
Now God himself will have his home with them—
‘God-with-them’ will be their God![a]
God isn’t interested in us enjoying His Blessings and His Promises without enjoying Him!
We were created to experience, know and enjoy Him!!!
That’s called Worship
Psa. 16.11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
The gospel does not start at the cross of Jesus, or with the giving of the Spirit, but it began with a Father who so loved you and I that He gave us His Son.
The heart of the gospel is not that man can have his soul saved, or his body healed, and his church revived, but that he can relate to the Father and enjoy Him forever.
As we get ready to celebrate Fathers Day this weekend, I would like to share some thoughts on the subject. Even though I’m directly talking to fathers, it really applies to all of us because we are all children of our heavenly Father.
To be a TRUE father, we need to personally know the love & nature of the Father.
1John 4:19
19 Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.[a]