Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly Text : Prov. 1:8; 6:20

Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The GodlyText: Prov. 1:8; 6:20 Fathers GOOD THE BAD THE GODLY AND THE

Intro For Father’s Day let us look at fathers in light of how they responded to God’s word and their influence on their families! (Prov. 1:8) (Prov. 6:20) There are many lessons that we can learn from fathers – lessons that help us define love, duty, honor, bravery, courage and sacrifice, and examples that serve as warning of what not to do! We will consider the examples of fathers in light of the Good, the Bad, and the Godly! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being Abraham – Gen. 24:1-9 Gen. 24:1-9 1. Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way. 2. Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, "Please place your hand under my thigh, 3. and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, 4. but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac." 5. The servant said to him, "Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?" 6. Then Abraham said to him, "Beware that you do not take my son back there! 7. "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, 'To your descendants I will give this land,' He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there. 8. "But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there." 9. So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being • Abraham – Gen. 24:1-9 • Abraham was advanced in years, and Sarah his wife had died and was buried (Gen. 23). • He turned his attention to the welfare of his son Isaac, and sought for him a wife from his relatives, not the Canaanites, and sent his trusted servant so that Isaac would not return to the place God called him from. He looked out for his physical well-being as well as his spiritual! • Gen. 24:10-15: His most trusted servant prayed to God for success, and before the prayer had completely left his lips, God answered with Rebekah. • Gen. 24:67: Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and he took his mother’s tent as his own, and he was comforted over his mother’s death in his wife. Abraham was a loving, concerned father! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being Joseph – Gen. 48:13-20 Gen. 48:13-20 13. Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right, and brought them close to him. 14. But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn. 15. He blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16. The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." 17. When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim's head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18. Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head." 19. But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations." 20. He blessed them that day, saying, "By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!'" Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being • Joseph – Gen. 48:13-20 • Jacob and Joseph had quite the reunion after a number of years separated, and in his old age, Jacob adopted Joseph’s sons born to him in Egypt – 48:1-12: Manasseh & Ephraim • Jacob blessed Manasseh and Ephraim, but crossed his hands to bless Ephraim (the younger) with the blessing of the first-born. • Joseph tried to correct his father to get Manasseh his due by right of birth. Joseph was concerned for his physical well-being! • What memories Jacob must have had! Though Joseph didn’t understand, he was a loving, protective father! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being Nobleman/Jairus – Jn. 4:46-54; Lk. 8:41-42; Mk. 5:35-43 Jn. 4:46-54 – The Nobleman 46. Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 48. So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe." 49. The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50. Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 51. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53. So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives"; and he himself believed and his whole household. 54. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being Nobleman/Jairus – Jn. 4:43-54; Lk. 8:41-42; Mk. 5:35-43 Lk. 8:41-42 – Jairus 41. And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; 42. for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him. Mk. 5:35-43 – Jairus 35. While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?" 36. But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." 37. And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38. They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. 39. And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep." 40. They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. 41. Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talithakum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42. Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. 43. And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being Nobleman/Jairus – Jn. 4:46-54; Lk. 8:41-42; Mk. 5:35-43 • Similarities • Both sought Jesus to heal their children who were dying. • Both wanted Jesus at their child’s bedside. • Both men realized their positions, wealth, nobility, or leadership could not save their children. • Differences • The nobleman’s son was ill; Jairus’ daughter was ill. • Jesus did not go to the nobleman’s house but said, “Go; your son lives” – Noble did not witness the miracle, but was told about it later. • Jesus went to the house of Jairus, even though he was told not to bother since Jairus’ daughter had died – Jairus witnessed the miracle. • The nobleman and his whole household became believers! Both men were looking out for their children’s physical well-being! Both men were loving fathers willing to do anything to save their children! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Good – Physical Well-being Abraham Joseph The Nobleman/Jairus To love and want the best for your children is a good trait for a father to possess! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences Isaac/Jacob – Gen. 25:28; 37:1-5 Gen. 25:28 – Isaac 28. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Gen. 37:1-5 – Jacob 1. Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. 2. These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 3. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic. 4. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms. 5. Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences • Isaac/Jacob – Gen. 25:28; 37:1-5 • Isaac and Rebekah showed favoritism and it tore their family apart. • Gen. 27:6-17: Rebecca taught trickery and deceit to her son Jacob in order to deceive her husband Isaac into giving the blessing to him. • Jacob learned from his parents but not the lesson it should have taught! • He too showed favoritism; to Joseph and it tore his family apart! • Understandable, but wrong: He loved Rachel more than Leah, and Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin – Gen. 29:30; 35:16-20 • She left Jacob Joseph and Benjamin, and he favored Joseph. Favoritism causes jealousy, anger, and hatred, and can tear a family apart! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences Eli – I Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25 I Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25 12. Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD 13. and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14. Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15. Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw." 16. If the man said to him, "They must surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as you desire," then he would say, "No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force." 17. Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for the men despised the offering of the LORD. 22. Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. 23. He said to them, "Why do you do such things, the evil things that I hear from all these people? 24. "No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear the LORD'S people circulating. 25. "If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD desired to put them to death. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences • Eli – I Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25 • Eli was the judge and a priest of Israel (I Sam. 4:18: Judged 40 years). • He knew his sons were “worthless men” but “did not rebuke them (3:13). • I Sam. 2:22: They fornicated with the Tabernacle serving women! • I Sam. 3:11-14: God told Samuel He was about to carry out all that He had said He would do against Eli and his house (I Sam. 2:27-36). • He would cut off his descendants and bless Samuel as judge and priest! Eli is an example of failing to discipline/raise his children in the Lord! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences Ahab – I Kings 16:33; 21:25 I Kings 16:33 33. Ahab also made the Asherah. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him. I Kings 21:25 25. Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences • Ahab – I Kings 16:33; 21:25 • I Kings 16:30-33: King Ahab of Israel married Jezebel and became an idolater! • I Kings 18:3-4: Jezebel hunted down and killed the prophets of God. Ahab didn’t restrain her – he was the king and her husband! • I Kings 19:1-2: After the false prophets were killed at Carmel, Jezebel threatened the life of Elijah! Ahab didn’t restrain her – he was the king and her husband! • I Kings 21:5-15: After Jezebel orchestrated the death of Naboth(21:5-15), Ahab took possession of his ancestral vineyard • His and his wife’s ungodly influence over their family caused their deaths: • I Kings 22:51-53: Ahaziah her son (II Kings 1:16-17). • II Kings 9:22-24, 27: Joramtheir son & Ahaziah their grandson • II Chr. 22:3-5:Athaliah, like her mother, was a an evil influence on her son (Ahaziah) “to his destruction” (II Chr. 22:7). • II Kings 10:1-11: Ahab’s remaining 70 sons killed. He was a father of evil influence and caused his family’s downfall! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Bad – Ungodly Influences Isaac/Jacob Eli Ahab These fathers are examples of what NOT to do! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being Abraham – Gen. 18:16-19 Gen. 18:16-19 16. Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. 17. The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18. since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? 19. "For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being • Abraham – Gen. 18:16-19 • God said He had chosen Abraham because he would teach (“command”) “his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice.” What a compliment and commendation towards Abraham’s character! • God chose him to be the father of a great nation (Gen. 12:2) because he would teach them about righteousness and justice! Abraham was a father concerned for the spiritual well-being of his family! Abraham was a godly father and godly example to many! (Gen. 24:10-15: His servant prayed to “the God of my master Abraham”) Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being David – I Kings 2:1-4; I Chr. 28:2-10, 20-21 I Kings 2:1-4 1. As David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2. "I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. 3. "Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, 4. so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being David – I Kings 2:1-4; I Chr. 28:2-10, 20-21 I Chr. 28:2-10 2. Then King David rose to his feet and said, "Listen to me, my brethren and my people; I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God. So I had made preparations to build it. 3. "But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.' 4. "Yet, the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For He has chosen Judah to be a leader; and in the house of Judah, my father's house, and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5. "Of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6. "He said to me, 'Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him. 7. 'I will establish his kingdom forever if he resolutely performs My commandments and My ordinances, as is done now.' 8. "So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of the LORD your God so that you may possess the good land and bequeath it to your sons after you forever. 9. "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10. "Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act." Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being David – I Kings 2:1-4; I Chr. 28:2-10, 20-21 I Chr. 28:20-21 20. Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 21. "Now behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of any skill will be with you in all the work for all kinds of service. The officials also and all the people will be entirely at your command." Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being • David – I Kings 2:1-4; I Chr. 28:2-10, 20-21 • David had made mistakes as a father before, but in the case of Solomon, he stands as a godly example! • He left him words of encouragement, admonition, and warning, and above all told him to be faithful to God and he would be blessed! • He left for him the provisions for the temple (David had wanted to build it, but God appointed Solomon to build it). • David was a “man after God’s own heart” (I Sam. 13:14), and he did all he could to ensure Solomon would walk faithfully in his footsteps! David was a father concerned for the spiritual well-being of his son! David was a father who put God first and was blessed for it! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being Solomon – Prov. 1:1-9; Eccl. 12:10-14 Prov. 1:1-9 1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2. To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3. To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; 4. To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, 6. To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8. Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching; 9. Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being Solomon – Prov. 1:1-9; Eccl. 12:10-14 Eccl. 12:10-14 (NKJ) 10. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being • Solomon – Prov. 1:1-9; Eccl. 12:10-14 • Solomon was blessed with riches, honor, wisdom and understanding above any king over Israel (I Chr. 29:25; II Chr. 1:1, 7-12). • He, like David, left words of wisdom and godly encouragement to his son. • Though he fell from God’s grace in his older years, it appears he may have come back by the words of Ecclesiastes, if they were written afterwards. • Regardless, he wrote down words of wisdom and words to live by for his son to follow (even if his example in older years was tarnished). • Eccl. 12:13-14: Solomon laid out the clear duty of man: “Fear God and keep His commandments” for there is a day of “judgment.” Solomon was concerned for the spiritual well-being of his son! Solomon was a godly father who followed the example of his godly father! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

The Godly – Spiritual Well-being Abraham David Solomon Every child should be thankful and honored for fathers who have showed their love and duty for God first and for teaching God’s word to their family! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

Conclusion In the home, godly fathers are needed to lead the family in the charge of God! A godly father, along with his wife, will diligently train his children to know God Prov. 1:8; 6:20 1:8: Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching; 6:20: My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; • A godly father will not forsake his God-given role as • teacher and disciplinarian of his children • Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15 • A godly father should be a godly example for his children • I Chr. 28:9, 20; Titus 2:2; 6-8 Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

Conclusion • God the Father is our ultimate example for how fathers • ought to behave towards our loved ones • Ps. 86:15; Rom. 9:22-24; II Pet. 3:9: Compassionate, Patient, and merciful! • Lk. 11:9-13; Js. 1:17: He provides all blessings, and everything good is from Him! • Jn. 3:16-17: God, the Father, gave His only Son to save the world, to cleanse mankind of their incurable disease of sin! Sacrificial love! Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

Conclusion Godly fathers deserve our praise and honor because they diligently watch over our souls! What kind of father are you or will you be? Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)

Fathers: The Good, The Bad, And The Godly Text : Prov. 1:8; 6:20