Last Sunday, Pastor Jeff preached a sermon specially on Fathers' Day, that spoke to many of us who are either already fathers or "spiritual" (in the form of shepherds) fathers. The following are some notes I scribbled during the service, to share with my readers who might have missed out the above sermon on Fathers' Day:
(Romans 8: 15-16) God wants to be our Heavenly father. - (*Likewise, I should have a desire to be a "spiritual" father out of a willing heart, not being coerced to mentor other people.)
1. I must learn to be trustworthy - God is worthy of our trust. (*Hence, we must present ourselves to be trustworthy our people)
1a. Love unconditionally (v. 16) - God never tempts. He tests us. The devil tempts us.
(Eph 6:4) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them.
(Asian fathers in general, failed to encourage/affirm their children in our Asian culture.
1b. Love consistently (v.17) - God does not change like a shadow (Mal 3:6)
Consistency is the hallmark of a godly man. We have to keep our promises (our word is our bond) and do not be a promise breaker.
(Numbers 23: 19) Be a promise keeper.
People learn from modeling, and modeling is key.
We as fathers/men must be predictable.
(*It will really scary to other people when we present ourselves with emotional mood swings.)
2. I must endeavour to be the source of best gifts (v.17b, 18)
(John 10:10) The thief comes only to steal
2a. Point your children to Jesus (v17b) - (Prov 22:6) Our job is not to "own" the children. We train them.
2b. Lead your children in the ways of God (v18) - (James 1:18, 1 Tim 3:12, Mal 4:5-6)
Labels: fatherhood, gifts
