Overcoming Unbelief

 

Scripture Text Mark 9:14-24

Introduction: Webster defines unbelief as lack of belief. We in the church would describe it as lack of faith in God. Abraham is considered the father of faith because he believed God, and for his belief in God it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:1.)
Mark 9:14-24.¹⁴ And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. ¹⁵ Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. ¹⁶ And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” ¹⁷ Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. ¹⁸ And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” ¹⁹ He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” ²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” ²³ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. A. Unbelief is one of the biggest strongholds a believer will encounter. Why? Because the stronghold of unbelief is not so readily identifiable and it is personal. First, it can be easily hidden by an outward display of emotions or participation. Second, because it takes a confession from the person to admit that they do not believe God. Many people, not only the saved, but the unsaved claimed to believe in God, but do not believe God. There is a big difference in believing in something or someone and believing the truthfulness of the system or person. Take for example the American political system, many of us believe in democracy but do not believe the politicians. Many Christians today suffer from the same syndrome, they say they believe in Him, but do not believe Him. Unfortunately, because of the stronghold of unbelief they go thru this life unfulfilled and never really reach their full potential. We believe God for salvation (eternal life) but often question if he will keep us or supply our every need. One must understand why this stronghold is so dangerous, is because it takes you out of a faith walk with God. It leads you to rely on your own means or others, thus opening the doors for pride, idolatry deception, etc. to take root in your life. (1). First thing you must do is recognize that God is greater than any problem you encounter and change your thought pattern by:

(1). Believing God for who He says He is. The Supreme Master and Ruler of the universe.
B. Believing God can do what He says he can do. He cannot lie!
C. Believing you are who He says you are. 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.

(2). Second renew your mind: Romans 12:2 (NKJV) ²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Praying God’s word (scripture) out loud, in this manner you are breathing, speaking and hearing faith. It is a release of the spirit of faith. (2 Corinthians 4:13). ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak. Speaking God's word increases faith, by creating confidence in Him, rather than your ability to believe.

(3). Third, Pray continuously: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) pray without ceasing,
This brings a break through. It is God's will that we be free from strongholds of every kind. Galatians 5:1 (NKJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. It keeps you in constant fellowship and communion with God.

(4). Fourth, study God’s word: It teaches us to have faith in God's word. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Reading God's word increases our confidence (trust) in Him. We trust what He said and who He is.

Invitation: First step to overcoming unbelief is to believe God's word concerning salvation. Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV) But if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confess your sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life and if you mean business, you will be saved. Then you will become a child of God!

Thanksgiving to God

Intro: We Christians have much to be thankful for all year, not just once a year. We thank God that He is the ultimate Giver. He gave a gift too wonderful for words—the gift of his Son. God’s extraordinary gift of salvation through Jesus should motivate you and I to give thanks and be generous to others. Jesus gave the ultimate gift of Himself for us to pay the price for our sins. Spend time meditating on how much God and Jesus have given you. Then show your thankfulness by living for God and serving Him.

I. Thank God we have been set free from the slavery of sin. [Romans 6:17-18] (NLT) ¹⁷ Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, (sin controlled you), but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you live in obedience to God’s word! ¹⁸ Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. The unsaved people of the world act as they do because they are slaves to Satan and sin. Once we too were unsaved people controlled by sin, we had no choice. But thank God, now we are free from our slavery to sin and we are controlled by Christ.

II. Thank God We have been made spiritually alive with Christ. Colossians 2:11-13 (NLT) ¹¹  When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. ¹²  For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. ¹³  You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. When Satan had his hold on us, we were spiritually dead. No access to God. Then God made us spiritually alive and delivered us from Satan and sin through Christ. The penalty for our sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Thanks to God all our sins have been forgiven thru Christ and we are now new creatures in Him.

a. Thank God because Jesus canceled all charges against us. V:14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. This record of charges was for all our trespasses against God’s law. We could not pay the debt for these offenses, we were guilty, but when we were saved by Christ, God wiped out the record of our sin for us by nailing it to the cross of Christ. Hallelujah, thank God for such a wonderful Savior who has canceled all charges of sin against us through His cross.

b. Thank God the devil’s power is broken. (v:15) Through the cross He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Not only have all charges against us been nailed to the Cross, spiritual authorities and rulers have been rendered helpless against us because of the Cross. Jesus who now lives in us has the Supreme authority over all principalities and powers.

III. Thank God We have peace that comes from Christ. Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT) ¹⁵  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. ¹⁶  Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
¹⁷  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.                                         a. Because Christ has given us His peace, we show our thankfulness by living as His representatives in everything we do as we give thanks through Christ to God our Father.

IV. Thank God We have the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (NLT) ⁵¹  But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵²  It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³  For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. ⁵⁴  Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”⁵⁶  For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.⁵⁷  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.⁵⁸  So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. Because of these promises—of victory over sin, death, and the devil, a future resurrection with new bodies that will be fashioned by God himself, and of living eternally in His Kingdom, We believers now have motivation and responsibilities in living for God in these perishable bodies. Our time on earth is valuable, let’s show how thankful we are by living for Jesus and serving His Kingdom. Because Christ has given us the victory, we are to be strong and immovable. (v:58)

Conclusion: We have much for which to thank our Father God for. The way we live our lives will show how thankful we really are. The more thankful we are, the more we will begin to focus on the things of God rather than the world and our problems.

Invitation: Thanks to God, you have a chance right now to respond to Jesus. If you need salvation confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you from hell. Then begin to confess Him to others and live for Him as your Lord. If you need something else that only Jesus can supply, now is the time to bring your requests to Him.

A Call to Remain Faithful

 

Scripture Text

Jude 17-21

Intro: We Christians are under persecution daily by those who don't know Christ. We are being mocked for our belief in Jesus Christ. These mockers are in our government, media, society and even some churches. Jude calls on all Christians to remain faithful.

I. Remember we are warned there shall be mockers. Mockers were predicted by the apostles. Jude 1:17 (NKJV) But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: What we see today shouldn't surprise us. We are warned in the bible that this would happen. There are mockers in and out of the church. They are in every aspect of life. Christianity is foolishness to them. They mock things they don't understand. The idea of a spiritual world that is more real and alive as the physical world is questioned. The idea of levels of authority, of principalities and powers and rulers in a spiritual world is mocked. The idea of Christ being exalted to the right hand of God is laughed at. The fact of believers someday ruling, serving and ministering for Christ forever in a new heavens and earth is ridiculed and mocked. We see a total disregard for anything concerning God! The devil has blinded their eyes. His favorite devise is to keep them ignorant and unconcerned about spiritual truths. These scriptures give us three characteristics of mockers! a. They are sensual. Jude 1:18 (NKJV) how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. Mockers are sensual (fleshly) and worldly minded. They don't ever think of spiritual things. Their mind is set on the things of this world and satisfying the desires of the flesh. They are like brute beasts. Jude 1:10b (NLT) They do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. They walk after their passions. They think and act as natural fleshly men. These people couldn't care less about God or Christ but live their lives only after their own lustful passions. They think only of themselves and what they want. They hate people who disagree with them. Jude 1:16 (NLT) These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. b. They cause divisions Jude 1:19 (NKJV) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions. They cause divisions every where they go. As we look at our world today we see divisions everywhere in and out of the church, in the nation & government, social media, news media, different religions. Divisions come when people turn from the source of unity which is the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit ruling in the hearts of men there can never be peace. Man has tried since the beginning to bring peace but has never been successful. c. They do not have the Spirit Jude 1:19c (NKJV) not having the Spirit. All these evil actions that people do is because they don't have God's Spirit in them. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. They have never been saved. They are ignorant to the results of this kind of lifestyle, that leads not only to physical death, but also spiritual death. This is why the church is so important. We can't stop using every method at our disposal to reach people for Christ. He is the only hope for the world.

II. We are called to remain faithful. Many are turning away from the faith that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Even though mockers are all around us we are to remain faithful to our calling for there is no other way to unity and heaven but by Jesus Christ. a. By building upon our "most holy faith." Jude 1:20 (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith. We were called to be God's children. We were called to one day rule and reign with Christ. We are to keep assembling ourselves together as Heb. 10:25 says so we can help each other build up our “most holy Christian faith.” Holy means separate, set apart, different. Our holy faith is far different from all other faiths. It is a faith that is not based upon opinion, speculation, works and imaginations of men. It is a faith of grace and salvation thru Jesus only. John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. It is faith that has been separated and set apart from man's ideas about God and life. It is a faith that is set apart by God Himself, it comes from God. Our holy faith is based on the holy bible, God's word. We are to read, study, memorize it and live it. We are to preach and teach it as long as we are able. b. We are to remain faithful By praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20b praying in the Holy Spirit, We communicate with the Father in prayer letting our request be made known to Him.  We pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, asking and depending upon the Holy Spirit to cleanse our requests and make sure that what we ask is according to the will of God. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning (0r moaning) which cannot be uttered. We set time aside time every day in prayer before God for the needs of loved ones and for the needs of God's people and for the world, all in and with the help of the Spirit. c. We are to remain faithful by keeping ourselves in the love of God. Jude 1:21 (NKJV) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude is telling us to keep ourselves in a place where God can actively bless us, and to keep ourselves away from all that is unlike Him, and those things that would drag us down spiritually. In other words, we don’t keep ourselves saved, but we keep ourselves safe in His love. That includes denying ourselves and embracing what God has for us. If we get out from under God's love, the devil will be waiting to make our lives miserable.

Conclusion: By doing these things we will keep ourselves safe in God's love. We must remain faithful in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation and shine as lights in a dark place. We are to be salt of the earth and light of the world as Jesus said.

Invitation: Have you responded to God's call to be saved from hell and to be saved for Heaven? If not, the bible says now is the time, today is the day of salvation for all who confess their sins to Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness.

VETERANS DAY

 Friday the 11th will be Veterans Day. It is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed every year on November 11. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all living U.S. military veterans.

I. VETERANS ARE COMMITTED TO A CAUSE: Our veterans have demonstrated a heart of courage committed to a cause:  The cause of freedom from oppression, and love of country. They are committed to the cause of Constitutional self-government. a. Jesus Christ was committed to a cause! Luke 19:10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He wanted to save the world through the cross, not save Himself from the cross.  Just as our veterans are committed to a cause, so Jesus was committed to a greater cause of saving the lost! Let me ask you a question: Are you committed to His cause of reaching others? For what cause would you risk your life? For what purpose would you dedicate your energies…your finances, your time? We honor our veterans. But we worship our Commander in Chief, Jesus. We owe our liberty to our veterans. But we owe our eternal lives to Jesus Christ. We salute the flag! But we kneel before the Christ of the cross. 

II. VETERANS ARE DEDICATED TO CHANGING THE COURSE OF THE FUTURE: What would have happened if it hadn’t been for the dedication of our veterans? Yes, we still live in a corrupt and twisted society, but who knows what powers might have dominated, if it were not for the commitment of our veterans?  Truly, in each war, they changed the course of the future.  a. Jesus was dedicated to changing the course of mankind’s future. Colossians 2:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³  And you, being dead in your trespasses and sins of the flesh, God has made alive together with Jesus, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Because of Jesus' sacrifice for us, the course of mankind's future was changed. The penalty of sin and its power over believers was miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ, believers are forgiven and found not guilty, before God, their judge. Because of Jesus’ dedication to save us, the course of our future has been changed from hell to Heaven. We owe all we are to Him! What are you dedicated to do for the future of this country …For this church… …for your own family? Our nation’s history may have been much different…Without the contribution of our veterans. Our lives would have been much different without the change Jesus made in our lives through His death on the cross as payment for our sins. 

III. VETERANS ARE WILLING TO PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE: Our veterans are dedicated and willing to pay the price for freedoms sake: They give up the safety and peacefulness of being at home. They leave their friends and families. Some surrendered their personal plans for education and career. Some suffered the loss of sight! Some forfeited their limbs! Many were terribly physically disabled. Many actually paid the price of their very lives. Our veterans pay the ultimate price for our freedom.  a. Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price of all He had for us. Luke 23:44-46 (NKJV) ⁴⁴  Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last. Jesus became our substitute. No greater price has ever been paid than that Jesus paid for us! Jesus paid in His blood for the salvation of those who couldn’t have cared less. Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Jesus didn’t shrink back at the point of death. Jesus gave His all for us that we might be saved. Countless young men and women, in the bloom of youth, have been willing to pay the price, however great, in order to protect and change the course of the future of this nation.  As they pay the ultimate price for our freedom, so Jesus paid the ultimate price for our spiritual freedom. He has saved us from the penalty and power of sin. And as a result, we have become an eternal monument to the riches of His mercy and over abundant grace. He paid the ultimate price, His life and precious blood. What price are you willing to pay, to maintain our spiritual freedom? Will you vote? What price are you willing to pay to fulfill the purpose Christ has called you? What prices are you willing to pay to rid yourself of all that robs you of God’s will for your life? 

CONCLUSION: Veterans’ Day is an opportunity for us to thank those who love us enough to give their lives in service for us. There are monuments that stand today in honor and memory of our brave soldiers. This Tuesday is election day. More than half of the Christians in America don't vote. It is our sacred duty to vote for the candidate who stands for the things that the bible says are right. Know what the candidates stand for and vote the bible. Some veterans and Jesus died to give us freedom to vote. If we fail to exercise our right to vote we will soon lose that right and our freedoms. The cross is a permanent monument that speaks of freedom to all who will hear. We should thank our veterans for their contribution toward our freedom and thank Jesus daily for paying the ultimate price to redeem not only our souls, but also our bodies.

Invitation: Have you taken advantage of Jesus’ shed blood as payment for your sins? If not, confess your sins to Christ, ask Jesus right now to forgive you and save your soul for Heaven. 

THE THRONE OF GOD

Scripture Text

Psalm 93

INTRO; We see, hear and experience many things in this life that are not good. Every day some evil and wrong is before our eyes. We don’t understand how a people can drift so far from the truth of God’s word and way. How are we to live today with all that is going on around us on a daily basis? There is not much we can count on in this world, but there is one thing for sure that we can count on, our God reigns from His throne on high. Let’s look at the world from a viewpoint of God’s throne instead of man. As we view things from God's point of view, it will help us keep the right perspective.

 I. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY. Psalm 93:1 (NKJV) The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.

A. We can take consolation in the truth that Jehovah is supreme over all and reigns gloriously from His throne in Heaven. His royal power and dominance prevail everywhere over all His creation. There is no earthly power greater than God.

1. He clothes Himself with Majesty- [Glory, honor, beauty, splendor, excellence in form and appearance]. He is Very grand, dignified, and lofty- above all others. None like Him.

2. He clothes Himself with strength. He has the power to resist any attack. He has power to act upon and change things. He can cause things to happen. He has a plan for this world and will carry it out.

  3. He made the world and holds it in place. Jeremiah 10: 12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. All things are created by Him and under His authority.

II. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S STABILITY. Psalm 93:2 (NKJV) Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. His throne is firm in the heavens. His throne has no beginning or end. It’s from everlasting to everlasting. Established before creation of the world. All false gods are man made. All other thrones have a beginning and an end. His throne has always been and always will be.

  III.  WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S STRENGTH. Psalm 93:3-4 (NKJV) ³  The floods have lifted up, O LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves. ⁴  The LORD on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea.

1. People, terrors and tumults rise against Jehovah. There are those who want to do away with God and His Son Jesus. People have always resisted God and His way from the beginning of time. God's word declares that His enemies will rise up against Him and His throne. They don’t want God reigning over them. Even today! Psalms 2:2-3 ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ³ "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." B. The Lord is amused and angered at those who rise up against Him. Psalms 2:4-6 ⁴ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. ⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: C. Jehovah reigns triumphantly and Jesus will eventually rule over all the kings and people's of the earth because God has decreed it. Psalms 2:6 -9 ⁶ "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." ⁷ "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "                                                                                          D. God’s unlimited sovereignty and irresistible power is a comfort to His people. God rules over Satan and all is evil angels. He limits Satan’s power and influence. We can be assured of that fact from the book of Job. One day God will cast Satan into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. Revelation 20:10 (NKJV) The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

IV. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S WORD [V:5] A. God reigns in truth and holiness. The word from God’s throne is very sure because His promises stand true forever. Psalms 119:89-91 ⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. ⁹¹ They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. Because of all these things God is deserving of our deep respect, awe, reverence and adoration. In heaven praise is continual : Revelation 4:8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" God's holiness adds beauty, splendor and distinction to our worship. Since He has supreme authority, let us be ready to do His will as He reveals it. With God in control from His throne we have nothing to worry about and much to be thankful for.

INVITATION: God's word says that if you don’t know His Son you cannot make it to heaven, but instead you are condemned and headed to a place called hell. God has given His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. If you haven't been saved and you would like to be, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins against God. Invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you. Then you will not be condemned by God and He will allow you into heaven when this life is over.

The Importance of Fathers!

Intro: I want to thank God for all our fathers. Fathers are important to their families. Families today are hurting without the presence of a father. For a family to be complete as God ordained it must have a father to help steer the children in the right direction. A father helps children develop emotionally, psychologically, physically and spiritually.

I. Fathers are responsible for their family decisions. Genesis 2:7 (NKJV) ⁷  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:15-17 (NKJV) ¹⁵  Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. ¹⁶  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
a. God appointed Adam as spiritual leader of his family and expected Adam to obey Him. In neglecting the tree of life, of which he was allowed to eat, and eating of the tree of knowledge, which was forbidden, Adam plainly showed a contempt of what God had bestowed on him, and he desired what God did not see fit to give him. He would have what he pleased, and do what he pleased. His sin was, in one word, disobedience to a plain, easy, and express command. His decision would have consequences. So do your decisions dad!

II. Disobedience to God by fathers bring suffering to their families. a. [Gen. 3:8] Because Adam did not obey God's command, he and his wife lost that sweet fellowship with God. In Gen3:15 there would always be a battle between good and evil which has been the cause of mankind's misery. Even Jesus would suffer horrible because of Adam's disobedience. In Gen: 17-19 the ground was cursed because of Adam's disobedience. Later Adam, his wife and his children suffered because of his disobedience and rebellion against God. READ [Gen. 4:1-8] Their first child Cain murdered his brother Abel. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel. He harbored an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. He wanted his own way. He committed the same sin of disobedience that his father Adam.
Disobedience to God's commands always brings suffering and heartaches. King David was a man after God's own heart but he also disobeyed God's commands and he and his family suffered greatly because of it. How many families are suffering today because of a fathers wrong choices and decisions?

So a father must be sure he is obedient to God's leading. His children are watching.

III. Obedience & service to God brings blessings to a father's family, church and nation. a. Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua's choice to serve God not only affected his family but it also had positive affects on the nation of Israel. Joshua 24:31 (NKJV) ³¹  Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.

So when A dad chooses to Serve God in sincerity and truth, it can only result in blessings for all of his family, his church and his nation. God gives us a choice as to which way we can go. God says in: Deuteronomy 30:15-16 ¹⁵  "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, ¹⁶  in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. Dad, the way of life and good is to love the Lord and walk in His ways and as spiritual leader of your family bring up your children to do the same.
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.

Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Conclusion: When a man takes his spiritual leadership role and leads his family to worship, serve, and live for God and when he loves his wife and children and puts them first in his priorities, the entire family will have God's blessings on it.
Each father stands responsible to God for his decisions that he makes as spiritual leader of his family. How are you doing in your responsibilities dad? I pray that you are making wise decisions and choices for your family even if your children are grown. We dads must continue to be spiritual leaders and lift up our children in prayer.

Invitation: Every dad wants his children to be saved and go to Heaven. The way to be saved if you have not been is to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Jesus said He would not turn away those who come to Him in faith. Let the Holy Spirit show you where you stand with God and make choices accordingly.