The biggest legacy that you can build is your family. We need good fathers in America. The biggest problems in America stem from bad homes...no fathers. Fathers are often portrayed negatively in media. We need people who don't care what the media says about fathers.
85% of the kids in juvenile detention centers come from fatherless homes.
90% of homeless come from fatherless homes.
The fatherless are 4X more likely to grow up and live in poverty.
There is a link between abusive and absent fathers with sexual promiscuity in teenage girls and young women.
US Census Bureau 25% of kids growing up with no father in home (biological, step, adopted) 1960 91% both parents. The US is #1 in the world of single parent homes and 3X the world average.
It is not enough to just be around. Loving fathers foster compassion in adults especially in young men.
Univ. of Penn. did a study that showed those who felt close/warmth with father were 75% less likely teen pregnancy, 80% less incarceration and 50% less depression.
Good dads stand in the way of Satan's plans and a nation's collapse.
I. A strong father fears the Lord
Psalms 128 (ESV) "Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!"
A strong father knows that God/Jesus has authority over him. The Centurion in Matt. 8 the Centurion recognized Jesus was greater than he was. Strong fathers must first submit to God.
Psalms 1: 1-4 (ESV) "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away."
Olive trees are strong, resilient, reliable, they produce for hundreds of years, some people say that there are 1200 year old olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Jesus tells the parable of the foolish and wise builder. The wise builder hears Jesus' words and does them vs the foolish builder doesn't. Storms will test the work of the builder. The foolish builder mocks and ridicules and will entice the wise builders, but their works will all be destroyed.
II A strong father is hard working
1Tim. 5:8 (ESV) "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." The context of this verse is caring for widows, but true for all of a strong father's household.
Col. 3:23-24 (ESV) "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Work is an act of worship and an example for your children. Laziness can get us all with a world of convenience. Be diligent in work, but also with your family. Don't let work beat down your family.
III A blessed father loves his wife as a reward
A good wife is a reward. Proverb describes the good & bad wife (Prov. 21 & 27) A nagging quarrelsome wife is not good.
Your wife should be a reward. You should pursue your wife forever.
Prov. 5:15-19 (ESV) "Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight: be intoxicated always in her love."
Men do you treasure your wife like that? Wives do you let your husband treasure you like that? Work together to meet each others needs. You are partners forever. The greatest gift that you can give your children is loving each other.
IV A blessed father sees his children as a blessing
Psalms 127: 3-5 (ESV) "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
Children are our greatest resource. They are our heritage and our legacy. Children are also our greatest responsibility.
Olive shoots cannot survive on their own, they have to be connected to the main root. Children need to have a connection with their dad.
John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Children need time and nurture and care from their father. Children with godly fathers usually bear good fruit.
Dads spend on average 1.02 hours per day with kids under 18 and 1.62 hours per day with kids under 6. With teens dads spend on average 7.5 minuets a day! Dad look for ways to spend time with your kids and teens. Look for opportunities to love on, to teach, to encourage and to nurture your kids.
The way children view their father shapes the way they view their heavenly father.
V The mission of a strong and blessed father never ends
Even when your children are gown your work as a father is not finished. You need to contact them, care for them. Fathers need to continue to build a legacy.
When kids have kids they begin to realize you weren't so dumb.
Challenges
1.Kids show your dad some grace. We all fall short, we fail even dads
2. Kids let your dad be a hero every once in awhile.
3.Kids tell your dad that you love him.
4.Hug your dad.
5. Give your dad time.
6. Listen to your dad.
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