A Heart for Father’s Mal. 4:5-6 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Malachi wrote that when Elijah returns “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,” [Mal 4:6]. Tonight, fathers, we will discuss your heart toward your children. This morning, we will discuss the heart of children toward their fathers. After all, this is Father’s Day, the day we honor our fathers.
A heart for fathers is characterized by:
Affection – love. We are told to love the Lord our God who is our heavenly father. Children, you must be saved and you must love God, first and foremost. Your love of God should not put you at variance with your father, if he is saved [Matt 10:34-37]. Then you continue to love God and right behind that love for God you love your father!! If your father is not a Christian, your love for God might put you at variance with him, but that should be the only thing that does.
Admiration – respect, honor. Prov 17:6 – the glory of children are their fathers. One dad said to another, “I’m no model dad. All I’m trying to do is behave so that when people tell my son that he reminds them of me, he’ll stick out his chest instead of his tongue” Children should admire their fathers as the greatest of men and treat them with utmost respect.
Awe – fear, reverence. Lev 19:3 “ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father.” Eph 6:2 “Honor thy father and mother.” You wouldn’t do anything to disappoint him whether he knew about it or not. If you are doing something now that disappoints your father, or would disappoint him if he found out about it, stop it right now.
Attention – pay attention; listen. Prov 15:5 “a fool despiseth his father’s instruction.” Prov 13:1 “a wise son heareth his father’s instruction.” You should listen carefully to everything your father says. You should give him your undivided attention when you are together. You should approach him with questions and listen to the answers so that you can learn.
Adherence – obey, follow. – Eph 6:1-3 – Prov 6:20 “my son keep thy father’s commandment.” After you’re older, and out of the house, adherence is following in his steps, like the disciples followed the Lord. Follow his convictions, his principles, his God. Prov 23:24 “the father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice.” Prov 19:13 “a foolish son is the calamity of his father.” A young man, sentenced for embezzlement, cried when he stood for his sentencing and saw his father standing with his head bowed and his shoulders slumped as if he were the one being sentenced.
Conclusion: become a Christian, love your father, do what he says, remain faithful, serve God, live your life above reproach and stay with it when you leave the house. You are a reflection on your dad.