June 15, 2014
Wise Words
Fatherly Wisdom
Proverbs 4:3-7
(Advance Slide #1)
Introduction
I read of a small boy questioning his mothers:
“Mom, who keeps the bad guys from
robbing our house?” “The police do.”
“Mom, if our house is on fire, who
saves us?” “The firemen do.”
“Mom, where does food come from?”
“Farmers grow the food.”
“Mom, what do we need dad for?”
(Advance Slide #2)
Sadly, that is the attitude of our society.
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Father’s seem, and are portrayed as irrelevant.
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Even in our TV shows it has gone from, “Father Knows
Best” to dad’s an idiot!
In stark contrast, Proverbs paints an entirely different
picture.
(Advance Slide #3)
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In fact, this book is a collection of writings, largely
from one father to his son.
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This father was inspired by God to give His wisdom
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My son, keep your
father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Prov. 6:20
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Listen to your
father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Prov. 23:22
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A wise son hears
his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Prov.
13:1
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Hear, O sons, a
father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, Prov. 4:1
This is our message today!
(Advance Slide #4)
Text
3 When I was a
son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 he taught me and said to
me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and
she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and
whatever you get, get insight. Proverbs 4:3-7
What is the message of this text?
(Advance Slide #5)
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Father’s are critical!
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You need to listen to your father, he has things to
tell you.
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Moreover, these are things that you need to hear!
ILLUS - Mark Twain said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father
was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got
to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in 7 years.”
(Advance Slide #6)
Recent research indicates that Dads are a vital resource for
their children.
1.
Sons learn about male responsibility, achievement,
suitable assertiveness, and independence best from their fathers.
2.
Daughters who enjoy their fathers, experience a
healthier femininity.
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They feel worthy of love, and they’re more able to
trust the men they marry.
3.
Fathers protect their daughters from abuse.
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Protect their sons from violence.
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Protect their wives.
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Protect their neighborhoods from intrusion and
disorder.
4.
Fathers provide stimulating and exciting "rough
and tumble" play, but within limits.
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They learn when enough is enough.
(Advance Slide #7)
God believe in fathers!
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God created men to be persons of influence.
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The real presence of godly men should make a difference
in our lives,
Lesson
How do father become successful?
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What can we do, as fathers, to be what God desires from
us?
(Advance Slide #8)
We must make God our
first priority!
Mt. 6:33 “But seek
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be
added to you.”
What things?
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Jesus has been speaking about them not being anxious.
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The Gentiles seek after these things and God knows that
we need these things.
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Jesus says, “If
you want these things seek God first.”
Most of the Proverbs were written by Solomon
(Advance Slide #9)
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He is described as the wisest man that ever lived.
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Yet in 1 Kings 11:9-12 we read that Solomon made God
angry - READ TEXT
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God withheld his punishment, but why?
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“Yet for the sake of David your father…”
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Because of the influence and example of David, his
father, God was going to hold back His punishment.
That is how we should live!
I know that there is a huge elephant in the room…what is it?
(Advance Slide #10)
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Not all fathers are good men.
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Fathers do not step up and invest time, and themselves,
for their kids.
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Not all father’s are willing to dedicate themselves to
God.
Many “fathers” walk away orphaning their children.
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Where is the hope, the example for these children?
(Advance Slide #11)
“Father
of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” -
Psalm 68:5
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CONSIDER Romans 8
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Paul says that “It wasn’t the spirit of slavery we
received.”
(Advance Slide #12)
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What we did receive, as Christians, “Was the spirit of
adoption as sons”
How can I receive this adoption?
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When you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of
the Living God
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When you accept that you’ve sinned and fallen short in
your life and are willing to repent - need to change how you live
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When you are willing to confess that Jesus will now be
the Lord and Master of your life
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And when you’re willing to allow yourself to be buried
in the waters of baptism and risen up a new creature in Christ…
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We can then call Him...FATHER!
(I’m asking Johnny to
insert the slides for this song)
*sing Father God
Conclusion
1Children,
obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your
father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that
it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers,
do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord. Eph. 6:1-3
(Advance Slide #13)
You know, I had the greatest mom and dad a man could hope to
have.
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But they sinned and fell short of the glory of God just
like you and I have.
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All parents have sinned.
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All parents fall short of the glory of God.
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And, frankly, it’s hard for kids to honor imperfect
parents. Sometimes… it’s real hard.
But God teaches us that it is crucial that we still honor
our parents.
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And so God gave us the only 10 Commandments to have a
promise attached to it.
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It was the only commandment that said – if you do this
it will go well with you.
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And you will enjoy a long life on the earth.
But why should I honor a father who isn’t all that he should
be?
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Well, because I’m a Christian.
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That’s the ONLY reason I should do anything in my life.
(Advance Slide #14)
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Once I became a Christian, God became my heavenly
Father.
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You and I belong to Him.
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