Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 2:5-12 June 16,
2013
Fathers Leading the Charge:
God's Call for Leadership
I. Introduction
A. The observance of Father's Day dates back to June 10, 1920,
when Mrs. Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington, suggested to a ministerial
association there that a day be set aside to honor the fathers of America. In
1936, a national Father's Day Committee was formed with headquarters in New York
City. Both Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon signed proclamations in
1966 and 1974 to establish the third Sunday of June as Father's
Day.
B. Thinking about the relationship between a father and son, I am
reminded of Harry Chapin's song "Cats in the Cradle" (read the lyrics and see
the shift in focus from the father to son).
C. In Deuteronomy 6:1-15, God gives Moses a solemn charge to teach
the commandments, statutes, and judgments given to him on Mount Sinai so that
future generations ("your son and your grandson") might fear the Lord all the
days of their life and that their days may be prolonged. They were to teach them
diligently day in and day out wherever they went and whatever they did. Why? You
do not forget the Lord who brought them out of Egypt lest you decide to follow
the gods of the peoples surrounding you. The Lord is a jealous God and his anger
may be kindled against you if you forsake Him and He will wipe you off the face
of the earth.
D. Unfortunately, that is what happened after the death of Joshua
as recounted in Judges 2:6-15. While the Lord did not wipe them off the face of
the earth, His hand was against them for evil, but He raised up judges to bring
deliverance from their suffering and distress caused by the oppressive enemies.
After the judge died, the people would return to their evil practices and
stubborn ways in a more corrupt manner than their fathers. This love/"hate"
relationship continues through the book of Judges. Despite Israel's perpetual
rebellion against God, He never forsook His covenant with His adopted children
that he made with Abraham in the ceremony described in Genesis
15:12-21.
E. In like fashion, Paul expresses his unwavering commitment to
the Thessalonians in his ministry among them as a father and mother cares for
their children. Based on Paul's example in this passage, God calls fathers to
lead the charge in the areas of attitude, character, and reputation for the sake
of his children.
II. Body
A. The attitude of devoutness carried the idea of a deep reverence
for God based on His presence and His promises which engenders an abiding love
for Him as between a parent and child.
Simeon in Luke 2:25-35 is described as a devout and righteous man
looking for the consolation of Israel through the promised Messiah as prophesied
in the Old Testament Scriptures.
Eli and Samuel are negative reminders that reverence for God is
not blindly passed onto the next generation. (see I Samuel 2:12-17;
8:1-5)
God calls on fathers to revere Him first and foremost which
provides a solid and firm foundation for all other relationships: especially his
wife and children. (cf. I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 6:4)
B. The character of righteousness carried the idea of a never-
ending pursuit for the ways of God in all aspects of life which promotes healthy
and wholesome behavior.
Lot was characterized as a righteous man who provided hospitality
to the Lord's messengers despite the city's insistence to perform lawless deeds
with them. His soul was tormented day after day by their immoral, ungodly
behavior while living among them. The description of Lot in II Peter 2:7-8
reveals a man deeply troubled and disturbed by rampant sin in society; are we
likewise affected by our surroundings?
God calls fathers to pursue, promote, and practice diligently the
ways of God before his family each day. I am reminded of the blessed man in
Psalm 1 who delights and mediates on God's law day and night. (cf. also Jeremiah
17:7-8)
C. The reputation of blamelessness carries the idea of a baseless
accusation brought by opponents in a trial setting. The opposition is unable to
prove their case because the evidence shows forth no basis for
merit.
Job is described as blameless, upright, fearing God and turning
away from evil despite the rationalizations by his friends concerning his
suffering. Job was not "perfect" as without sin, but he put his unwavering trust
in God for redemption and faithfully lived a God-honoring life in spite of
Satan's schemes to deter him from God.
God calls upon fathers to manage their households with godly
instruction, discipline, and training so that outsiders will be put to shame.
(cf. I Peter 2:11-12; 3:13- 17; Colossians 4:5-6) An elder in God's church must
have a good reputation with those outside the church so that he will not fall
into reproach and snare of the devil. (cf. Philippians
2:14-18)
III. Conclusion
A. Fathers are a vital asset in God's kingdom to perpetuate,
promulgate, and proliferate the seed of God's Word in the world. Fathers can
accomplish this mission by being providers and protectors of God's family in a
devout, righteous, and blameless manner of attitude and conduct. Satan is out
there with his darts and devices to thwart the progress of God's kingdom on
earth. He even disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive unsuspecting,
undisciplined individuals whose conscience has been dulled and seared to the
teaching and discipline of the Lord as described in I Timothy 4:1-5. The nerves
of the conscience have been scarred and destroyed so that the pain of sin is no
longer felt by the individual (becomes numb to the effects of
sin).
B. Paul describes his relationship to the Corinthians in I
Corinthians 4:14-21 as their father through the gospel so that they may become
imitators of him. Fathers are not to be manipulators, dictators, or intimidators
of God's people. (cf. I Thessalonians 2:9-12)
C. Satan's most powerful avenue to harm the church body of God and
Jesus Christ is through the family structure. I want to end with Paul's
exhortation to all family members in Colossians 3:18-21.
D. If you wish
to present your request or need before the church family today, come forward as
we stand and sing the invitation song.
--Keith E. Book, Caribou, Maine
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