A FATHER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Gen 18:17-19

Have you ever noticed that on Mother's day we tell Mothers how great they are and on Father's day we tell Father's what they need to do to be great Fathers-it's almost as if a Mother "automatically" becomes great while a Father must continually work at it!!

There are a number of "description" given of a Father. A father is:

Ø  a person who growls when he feels good and laughs very loud when he's scared.

Ø  a person who gets very angry when the school grades aren't as good as he thinks they should be.

Ø  a person who hurries away from the breakfast table, off to the arena which is sometimes called an office. There, with calloused, practiced hands he tackles the dragon with three heads: weariness, work, and monotony.

Ø  a person who gives his daughter to a man who isn't nearly good enough so he can have grandchildren that are better than anyone else's 

A Dad is a fellow who has replaced the currency in his wallet with snapshots of his family.
Someone has said (and I believe it is true) that "A Boy loves his mother, but he follows his father." That places a tremendous responsibility on Fathers. Let's look at a few of them:  Leave his parents, Learn his children, lead his home, love his wife.  The Father is:

THE PROVIDER- The Father is charged with providing for the family. Paul says that if a man will not provide for his own he has denied the faith and is worst than an Infidel. He told the Thessalonians that if a man would not work neither should he eat. It is the responsibility of the Father to provide food and shelter for his family.
The entrance of sin into life meant that man had to earn his living by the sweat of his brow. This turned work into a JOB instead of a JOY. But then God gave us a "Two edged sword" to allow us to turn our labor into Joy again.
A) The Privilege of Providing for a Family- This meets some deep inner need of man and makes him feel complete.
B) The New Birth- It is the presence of Christ in a man's heart that changes work from wearisome into wonderful. Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

THE PROTECTOR- Families need an Authority Figure. The lack of such a Figure can be seen in today's society: Suicide, drug abuse, alcoholism, and sexual promiscuity are epidemic among teenagers. An estimated 20 teens attempt to end their lives every 30 minutes. Approximately 685 teens become drug users ever 30 minutes. Some 23 teenage girls have abortions every 30 minutes. More than 3 million American teenagers have been treated for alcoholism since 1980. About 9,000 teenagers are killed each year while driving drunk.
A) Father's have to be worthy of and accept that responsibility. A man inherits some respect but most of it has to be earned by consistent living.
B) Wives are commanded by God to give this respect to the husband- Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

THE PUNISHER- Prov 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Never punish your child when YOU'RE angry- you're not punishing them to satisfy your Pride but for their good . Compliment and criticize your child's behavior--not the child.

THE PATTERN- A man was crossing a field to a tavern one day when he looked behind him and saw his son. "Look dad", the boy exclaimed. "I'm following in your footsteps". The dad immediately turned around and went back home. One study found that where both parents are faithful to the Lord 93% of the kids remain faithful. If one parent was faithful the figure dropped to 73%. When both parents were only moderately faithful then only 53% of the young people remained faithful and when both parents were only occasional attendee's the figure dropped to 6%. These statistics speak a loud and clear message. Your children will follow you leading.

THE PRIEST- DEU 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Fathers, Your responsibilities are awesome. You need help. The Heavenly Father wants to enable you to be the Father you should be. Commit yourself to him today.