Fathers Eph. 6:23 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Often when we are teaching discipleship lessons, we teach on our new relationship to God by comparing Him to an earthly father. This way a new convert can understand what it means to have God as his Father. As our earthly fathers love us, provide for us, protect us, chasten us, feed us and so forth, even so God loves us, provides for us, protects us, chastens us, feeds us and so forth.
Today, we are going to reverse the lesson and teach fathers how they should live toward their children based upon how God the Father lives toward us. In other words, we are teaching this lesson by using God as the standard not man.
As God the Father loves us, even so fathers should love their children – Eph 6:23; Jn 16:27 “for the Father himself loveth you” – Jn 15:9 “as the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you” – God’s love is unconditional – his love is sacrificial [we have to give up something to be with our kids] – his love is preferential [he loves a cheerful giver].
As God the Father has fellowship with us, even so fathers should have fellowship with their children – 1 Jn 1:3 – Jn 8:29 the Father hath not left me alone – Jn 10:30 I and my Father are one – our work and careers are not more important than our fatherhood – spend plenty of time together [not with computers, cell phones and televisions].
As God the Father instructs us, even so fathers should instruct their children – Jn 8:28 I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things [left us the instructions in the Bible] – impartation of good spiritual instruction – a wise son heareth his father’s instruction; Jn 10:18 this commandment have I received of my Father; Jn 15:10 “I have kept my Father’s commandments” – dads should be the ones to teach their children – and when you do, have reasonable expectation.
As God the Father gives us good gifts, even so fathers should give good gifts to their children – Jas 1:17 – he doesn’t spoil us and he doesn’t lavish us with stuff – he gives us good spiritual gifts like eternal life, grace, peace, comfort, etc.
As God the Father judges us without respect of persons, even so fathers should judge their children without respect – 1 Pet 1:17 – they may be your children but be objective – your child may be the cause of the trouble rather than the neighborhood kids – before you call the principal to complain you better sincerely determine whether your child deserved to be punished – back in the old days there was never any question.
As God the Father chastens us, even so fathers should chasten their children – Heb 12:7-11 – chastening with the rod evokes righteousness and holiness – modern methods of child rearing are contrary to Biblical methods and look at the difference in the outcome.
As God the Father doesn’t provoke us to anger, even so fathers should not provoke their children to anger – Col 3:21 – never take your anger out on your children and never set a double standard that frustrates them.
As God the Father honoured his Son, even so fathers should honour their children when they are well pleased – 2 Pet 1:17 – not like Eli, though – a wise son maketh a glad father – the father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice [whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father] – and it works both ways, Jesus honoured his Father Jn 8:49 “I honour my Father” and his Father honoured him Jn 8:54 “it is my Father that honoureth me” so Eph 6:2 – when your children really do something worthy of commendation, let them know – children are encouraged by a compliment appropriately given.
As God the Father leaves a good inheritance to us, even so fathers should leave a good heritage to their children – Col 1:12; Jn 16:15 “all things that the Father hath are mine” – leave your children a good name [the glory of children are their fathers; Jn 12:28 “Father, glorify thy name”], a worn Bible, and a good example to follow [Jn 5:19 The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise].
Conclusion: Study the life of God the Father and how he related to his Son and how he relates to us – then follow his example – there is not a better pattern in the universe – be encouraged when you find that you are following his example and make the changes necessary when you find that you are not following his example.