Godly Dads

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Godly Dads

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“GODLY DADS”
JOSEPH: FATHER OF JAMES AND JESUS

JAMES SERIES 59-5

This summer in the most out of the way place, someone challenged me. It was the apple shanty at the very back corner of Silver Dollar City while bending over the five-cent taffy jar that we saw them. They hadn’t been to church for a couple of months and so I just said we missed you. Then it all came out. The Lord directed our paths so that out of thousands of people and possible locations we met there. What was it they felt? They said we don’t feel like we are good enough for TBC. Everyone is perfect. I said no we surely aren’t. Then he said, I wish someone would just get up and say its hard, and we are struggling. Well, its hard and we all are struggling through life!

One of the biggest struggle is being a dad. Have you ever thought about how to qualify as a dad? There is no training, no courses required. No license or degree, it just happens. And off you go on the hardest job in life. We know about qualifying. You need to qualify for a job, a scholarship, a loan. You must qualify for the team, the finals and so on. But what about with God. Look who God uses! God uses a doubting and sometimes disobedient dad named Abraham to be the father of the faithful.

Jacob was a cheat and liar and yet becomes the father of God’s people Israel. Moses was a murderer and dragged his feet in obedience yet led and taught the people knowing God face to face. Joshua was fooled by the Gibeonites, Gideon had trouble trusting God at first, David was a ladies man and a poor father.
All this to say the key is not the person God uses, it is the Lord! We are all unqualified to do what needs to be done so the key is a willing and responsive
heart. That is all God is looking for! What happens when we let Him use us? Great things!

1. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH ARE FULL OF COMPASSION. MATTHEW 1:19 AND DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO THEIR FAMILIES. MATTHEW 2:13-16 Joseph was a leader in Caring. He was a protector of his family: he made decisions for the future of his family going to Egypt.

2. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH LISTEN TO GOD MATTHEW 1:20-24

3. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD MATTHEW 2:13-19

4. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH WORK HARD TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. MATTHEW 2: 19 Joseph was a leader in God’s order for the home. He was a provider: he went to Nazareth and worked.

5. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH GIVE THEIR CHILDREN LESSONS IN LIVING. MARK 6:3 He was a modeler: Taught Jesus his trade and that took time side by side Mowing, driving, care for the car, finances, etc. Men just put some time in them each week.

6. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH LEAD THEIR FAMILY IN WORSHIP. LUKE 2:41 He was a worshiper, he took them to the feast Joseph was a leader in godliness. He was a Maintainer: Pr. 22.28 keep family boundaries

7. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH SEE CHILDREN AS THE LORD DOES! he had 7 children, he loved his wife and family and paid the price for them! Mark 6:3

I. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH ARE FULL OF COMPASSION. MATTHEW 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man,] and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (NKJV) he planned to put away Mary privately AND DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO THEIR FAMILIES. MATTHEW 2:13-16 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. (NKJV) Joseph was a leader in Caring. He was a protector of his family: he made decisions for the future of his family going to Egypt.

II. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH LISTEN TO GOD MATTHEW 1:20-24 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, (NKJV)

III. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD MATTHEW 2:13-19 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, (NKJV)

IV. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH WORK HARD TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. MATTHEW 2:
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” (NIV) Joseph was a leader in God’s order for the home. He was a provider: he went to Nazareth and worked. Proverbs 19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. (NIV); Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (NIV)

V. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH GIVE THEIR CHILDREN LESSONS IN LIVING. MARK 6:3 “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him. (NKJV). He was a modeler: Taught Jesus his trade and that took time side by side Mowing, driving, care for the car, finances, etc. Men just put some time in them each week.

VI. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH LEAD THEIR FAMILY IN WORSHIP. LUKE 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (NKJV) He was a worshiper, he took them to the feast Joseph was a leader in godliness. He was a Maintainer: Pr. 22.28 keep family boundaries

VII. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH SEE CHILDREN AS THE LORD DOES! he had 7 children, he loved his wife and family and paid the price for them! Mark 6:3 “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him. (NKJV) Children are an eternal blessing. Children are gifts from the Lord. Children are a reward from the Lord. Psalm 127: 3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. (NIV)

A. Having children limits: toys (boats, off road vehicles, fancy cars, exotic vacations, excessive sports, discretionary spending), time, flexibility,
mobility. . . it diminishes financial savings, it takes a great deal of emotional and spiritual energy. But it is one of the only investments you can enjoy both here and in heaven. It provides one of the only investments that will honor you here and in heaven. Children are a direct physical, visible, tangible blessing from the Lord. Children are unique because they are your very own plus they are brothers and sisters in Christ plus best friends for life. Nothing is more precious as the years pass than to see your children following Christ. Nothing is more heart retching than to not see them follow Him. In the world today there is a myth that children are expensive. The truth is they are rich and precious treasures sent from God Himself. Happy is anyone who has many! In an age characterized by 2 Timothy 3:2-4 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — (NIV)

VIII. GODLY DADS LIKE JOSEPH FOLLOW GOD‘S WORD FOR RAISING CHILDREN LUKE 2:27-33
So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to [bring] revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. (NKJV)

A. HEED GOD’S WARNINGS. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV). How are we as dads unfair at times?

1. BEWARE OF OVERPROTECTING THEM. Let the boys be boys, not little girls. They need to run, climb, get scraped and explore or they will not develop into the leader and protector they must become.

2. BEWARE OF FAVORING ONE OF THEM. Look at Esau and Jacob’s mom Rebecca, then Jacob and his doting on Joseph. It embittered those
around.

3. BEWARE OF DISCOURAGING THEM. If we always say they will never amount to anything, they might believe us. If we say you are a pain, they will feel it.

4. BEWARE OF DESTROYING THEIR INDIVIDUALITY. God has made and gifted each of his children uniquely, as spiritual snowflakes. Don’t make clones of yourself, let God make them as He plans.

5. BEWARE OF PUTTING THEM OFF . Spend time with them. Put the work or TV to bed early and spend special and long times with those fast passing childhood days.

6. BEWARE OF BITTER WORDS AND OUTRIGHT PHYSICAL CRUELTY. Don’t abuse them verbally or physically. That means do not correct them in anger. James 1:20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (NKJV)

B. FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN FOR TENDERLY NOURISHING CHILDREN.
Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up [ this word means1 “to nourish, to provide for with tender care” ] in the training and admonition of the Lord. (NKJV). Here are a few practical application of this idea:

1. Always take time to listen to them before you discipline them. Then they know you care about their feeling and needs.

2. Always apologize to them when your response has been wrong, harsh, angry or negligent.

3. Always accept any concerns, constructive criticism and ideas your wife offers. And, put them in practice.

4. Be a hugger, holder, encourager and friend. And, spread it onto mom to, not just the children.

C. REMEMBER TO NEVER NEGLECT DISCIPLINE. Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training [this word is neat2, it “may be described as training by means of rules and regulations, rewards, and when necessary, punishments. It refers primarily to what is done to the child.”] and admonition [by contrast this word means “training by means of the spoken word, whether that be teaching, warning, or encouragement. It refers primarily to what is said to the child.”]of the Lord. (NKJV) Years back when members of Britain’s Royal Family toured the US they were asked to share the most amazing thing they had observed in America. Without a moment of hesitation the reporter was told, “The Way the parents obey their children.”3 Listen to Ken Taylor4 whose Living Bible paraphrase has touched so many lives: A Father’s task is many sided, but the most important part of his work is to fit himself and his family into God’s plan of family authority. Children are to be encouraged by the fathers pat on the back. And, helped to better things when necessary by the application of the hand or stick to the seat of learning. of course there are other methods of discipline besides spanking, but whatever is called for must be used. To refuse to discipline a child is to refuse the clear command of God. A child who does not learn to obey both parents will find it much harder to learn to obey God.” God said if your home is not in order you may not lead in the church 1 Timothy 3:4-5 one who rules his own house well, having [his] children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); (NKJV)

D. STRIVE TO BE CHRISTLIKE. Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and
admonition of the Lord. (NKJV)