Father’s Day 2020
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Proverbs 17:6 ASV
“Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.”
Notes
Illustration
Three boys were in the school yard bragging about who had the better dad.
The first boy says, “My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him $100.”
The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, and they give him $1000.”
The third boy says, “My dad is even better than that. He scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon, and it takes six men just to collect all the money!”
Notes
Before American culture underwent radical change in almost every key area of life, there were actual hit songs written about dads.
Paul Peterson’s song from 1963 entitled, “My Dad” says:
My dad, now here is a man
To me he is ev’rything strong; no he can’t do wrong, my dad
My dad, now he understands when I bring him troubles to share;
Oh, he’s always there, my dad
Paul Peterson was bragging on his dad, who was his glory.
Notes
First, the Bible has lots to say about the importance of fathers. The word “mother” occurs 363 times in the Bible—while the word “father” is mentioned over 1,300 times. That is primarily because God is addressed so often as Father.
Listen
A father is more than a male that sires a child. Any MALE can sire a child, but it takes a MAN to be a good father! That said, we live in a nation plagued by absentee fathers, and I personally believe this is the reason for much of America’s crime and troubles.
Let me read you a few statistics from secular sources that speak volumes about the importance of “THERE” dads.
A “there” dad is a dad who is there physically, emotionally, and spiritually for his children.
- The US Dept. of Health/Census reports that 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes—5 times the average.
- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes—32 times the average.
- 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes—20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)
- 80% of men with anger problems come from fatherless homes—14 times the average.
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes—9 times the average.
- 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes—10 times the average.
- 70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes—9 times the average. (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Sept. 1988)
- 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes—20 times the average. (Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction)
If “the glory of children are their fathers,” then when the father is gone, so is the glory they bring to the child!
Notes
Now, in talking about dads today I want to look at the greatest dad of all—God.
Romans 8:15 NKJV
“For you have not received a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of divine adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”
Abba is used as a term of tender endearment by a beloved child—it suggests an affectionate, dependent relationship with a father; two synonyms would be “daddy,” “papa.”
Ephesians 2:19 TLB
“… you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.”
Notes
In the OT we encounter a holy God, a majestic Creator of justice, love, and mercy, but He is rarely called “Father.” But with the arrival of Jesus all that changes.
Jesus repeatedly calls God “Your Father,” “the Father.” He refers to God as Father hundreds of times in the Gospels, and the Apostles constantly refer to God as “Father” in the epistles.
Notes
When referring to God as our Father in heaven, Jesus taught us to be like Him:
Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV
“… bless those that curse you … 5 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, …”
Notes
Jesus taught us to approach God in prayer as our Father:
Matthew 6:9 NKJV
“… Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.”
Notes
He taught us to trust in the Fatherly character and care of God:
Matthew 7:11 NKJV
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Notes
The Lord taught that when we receive Him as our Savior, He literally acknowledges us before the Father on Judgment Day:
Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.”
Notes
He taught us about the Fatherly concern God has over children:
Matthew 18:14 NKJV
“In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
Notes
And Jesus taught that it is God the Father who answers prayer:
Matthew 18:19 NKJV
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
Notes
Four times in chapter 6 of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus assures us not to worry in light of Father God’s care for us:
Matthew 6:30-32 NKJV
“… If God … clothes the grass of the field … will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ Or, ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 … For your Heavenly Father (not THE Heavenly Father, but YOUR) knows that you need all these things.”
Notes
Jesus took the OT God of fire, and holiness, and wrath, and justice, and put a face on Him we can approach and relate to.
John 14:7 NIV
“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”
John 14:9 NKJV
“He who has seen Me has sen the Father.”
Notes
So to know Jesus is to know the Father.
To listen to Jesus is to listen to the Father.
To watch Jesus is to watch the Father in action.
And Jesus even took away the OT concept of needing someone else to approach the Father FOR you because you aren’t worthy to approach Him apart from a priest:
John 16:27 NIV
“In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”
Hence, Jesus says YOU ask, and YOU will receive!
Notes
The Bible says that God’s ways are “perfect” (Psalm 18:30), that He is a “faithful God who does no wrong,” and is “upright and just“ (Deuteronomy 32:4).
That makes Him the perfect Father you never had, and the perfect father none of us ever were.
So on Father’s Day I simply want to say that:
If you didn’t have a father who was approachable, loving, or that had your very best in mind, God, as your Heavenly Father, is waiting to more than make up for what you never had!