Intro: The greatest need in our society today is
for more fathers who will rise up and assume their God-given role of
responsibility in the family. I thank God for our godly fathers. They
are the backbone of the family, church, and nation.
1. A Godly Father loves God. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) He seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
A. Love
for God is the basis upon which happiness is built and priorities in
relationships.
B.
A godly father puts the kingdom of God and His righteousness as the
priority in his life. He knows that without that priority in his life
he can not be a successful Dad. 2. A
Godly Father loves his wife. Ephesians
5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
gave Himself for her. A.
The love with which the godly husband has for his wife is
the very love of God Himself. Agapē
love is an unselfish love, a giving and sacrificial love. It is the
love of the mind and will as well as of the heart. It is not only a
love of affection and feelings; it is a love of the will
and commitment.
It is a love that wills and commits itself to love a person. It is
the love that works for the highest good of the person loved.
3. A Godly Father loves his Children. [Ephesians 6:4] And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Love is more than provision for material things, love also provides for children's spiritual welfare. A godly father's love cares about the eternal destiny of his children. A godly father seeks to teach his children about the things of God. He realizes how important that is for the welfare of his children because the world will teach them if he doesn't.
B.
When discipline is required, a godly father does it in love,
(Colossians 3:21).
He doesn't beat them up out of anger.
4. A Godly Father is a man of Integrity. Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
A.
” “Integrity” has become almost a forgotten word.
B.
It permeates every area of a godly father's life. In the workplace;
in the home; in personal business; he promptly pays bills, he is
honest in his relationships; committed to fulfill his commitments.
His integrity blesses his children as they grow up after him.
5. A Godly Father is a role model of God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT) 1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear child. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
A.
The image of a father nowadays is not always a good one. Over half
the children in America grow up without a father in the home. Often
abandoned by their father or the father is unkind and abusive.
Sexual abuse by the father is on the rise. A godly father sacrifices
for his children. He realizes he is an example for his children. A
godly father knows he is shaping his children's concept of their
Heavenly Father. He realizes that as his children see him, that is
the way they will see God.
Conclusion
The
Word of God is challenging you dad to be a godly father today! Will
you be a godly father to your children? Fathers will have to give an
account to God for their spiritual role as head of the household.
