June 21, 2020

Father of Fathers
June 21, 2020
Pastor Matt Wilmington

On this Father’s Day, can you share some who most influenced you to strive to become a great dad?

Open:

All of us have heard it said that our views of God are usually based on the relationship we had with our earthly father when we were a child. The truth is, no matter what our earthly father was like, spending time in God’s word daily, learning all we can about His character, along with a faithful prayer life, all give us a perfect picture of the Father we have in heaven. Men, especially fathers, need to be so sold out to Christ that you can immediately tell by their countenance that they are a child of God the Father.

Focal Passages: John 14:1-10; John 15:1-2, 8, 16; John 17:11, 17:21

Men: YOU have a Father who has a HOME for you

  • Read John 14:1-2. Who was Jesus speaking to in these verses (go back to John 13:1-5, if you’re not sure)? What did He promise believers in this passage?
  • What kind of home has He prepared for you? How do you know there is room for all?
  • Read verses 3-6. What is the only way to the Father who is in heaven?

  Jesus was telling His disciples of the Father; what can you learn about God from these verses?

  • Sometimes we ignore our earthly father because of his past actions. Why should we never want to ignore God, as our heavenly Father?

Men: God desires FRUIT for you, and through you

  • Read John 15:1-2. Can you share something about gardening? Why does Jesus say God is your “gardener”? What are some of the things a gardener does?
  • Why is it necessary to prune away branches that are dead or those that sap the strength of the main vine? Why does God prune us? What are some ways He does this?
  • Read verse 8. What glorifies God? How do we produce fruit? What is the best fruit that we can bear?

Men: God desires for you to be pure in your relationship with Him

  • Read John 17:11. What does Jesus have on His heart as He is about to endure the cross and return to His Father? Why does He ask God to protect us? What does protection assume? Who is the adversary? What other kinds of protection do we need to be guarded from?
  • Read 1 Peter 1:22. How did Peter say we are purified? Which Person of the Godhead helps us obey the truth? What is the fruit produced by a pure heart?
  • Read 1 Thess. 5:23. What is the end result that God desires for our lives, so that we’ are ready when He calls us home?

Men: God desires all believes to live in unity

  • Read John 17:20-21. What does Jesus desire for all believers? Why is there so much division between races throughout the world?
  • What can we do to make an impact on the problems of division in our land?
  • Is is possible that an honest smile, a sincere compliment, a good deed, an invitation to lunch to a person not of your race…could help bridge the chasm that has developed between people?

Close:

Father’s Day. Like Mother’s Day, this celebration of the life of the earthly man we call “father” has been different, as we are now about one hundred days into COVID 19. We’re excited that perhaps we may be beginning Phase 3 of returning to some sense of normalcy this coming weekend. But has it changed your heart?

This sermon for the men who need to be reminded that although they are the anchor for their family—providing shelter, clothes and food (and a million other items)—they do not have to shoulder the burden all by themselves. They have a loving Father in heaven who cares so much about them that He has promised He will provide for their needs (Matt. 6:25-34). Yes, He asks obedience and purity from His believers, but in turn, the riches which He supplies will be more than we can ever think or imagine! (1 Cor. 2:9). There are definitely times He has to prune us, but it results in more fruit in our lives. He’s a trustworthy, faithful, loving Father, and no one on earth can compare to Him.

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