Fatherhood: The Great God Given Assignment

June 21, 2009 MW Stockwell Road MBC
A GREAT GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENT
Matthew 1:18-25

INTRODUCTION:
A. One little boy, when asked to explain the difference in Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, said, “It’s just like Mother’s Day only you don’t spend as much on the gift.” The truth of the matter is that I am glad that there is a Father’s Day because it’s great to be a Dad. It’s good to be a guy! Here are some reasons proving that its better to be a guy: phone calls are over in 30 seconds flat, a 5 day holiday requires only 1 suitcase, when flipping through the channels we don’t have to stop at every shot of someone crying, if another guy shows up at a gathering in the same outfit you have on…you may become best friends for life and finally the occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. It is great to be a dad!

B. When Cindy informed me that we were expecting our first child I was overwhelmed with joy! I must be honest that that joy and happiness, at times, was replaced by fear and dread. It truly is an awesome responsibility that God has placed upon fathers. God calls us to first of all, love our wives as He loves the Church…an awesome responsibility then He instructs us that we are also responsible for giving this new babbling baby all of the tools he/she will need to be a healthy, God-fearing productive citizen of society. This is our God-Given Assignment and there are no do overs. It is something that we must understand is a great undertaking that has either great reward or great consequence.

C. However, while our responsibility is great, it pales in comparison to THE GREAT GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENT that Joseph received. Can you imagine being entrusted by God to be the earthly father of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah? One of the verses mentioned during Bible School was that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man…how do you suppose that happened? He was taught by a great man of God named Joseph.

D. As we see Joseph’s GREAT ASSIGNMENT we see some traits in his life that all godly fathers must have as we desire to fulfill our GREAT GOD GIVEN ASSIGNMENT!

BODY:
I. GODLY FATHER’S ARE DEDICATED IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS (Matt. 1: 18-25)
Note: Men for the most part keep to themselves and don’t need a lot of people around them. This makes us different from you women. How often when at a dinner does one man say to another, “I’m going to the restroom, do you need to as well?” “Sure, let’s go!” It just doesn’t happen. However, to a godly man, his family is of special importance!
A. He Loves His Family
1. he prays for them
2. he protects them
3. he provides for them
4. he prioritizes them
B. He Leads His Family—you are the Pastor of your Home
1. he leads by example
2. he leads by encouragement

II. GODLY FATHER’S ARE DEDICATED IN OUR REVERENCE (Matt. 2:13-23)
Note: Joseph displays great commitment and common sense as he reverences what God says. He quietly obeys the voice of God and that is the mark of reverence! Notice…
A. He Reverences and Respects God’s Word
--no questions
B. He Reverences and Respects God’s Will
--no balking just obedience

III. GODLY FATHER’S ARE DEDICATED IN OUR ROLES (Matt. 13:55 & Mark 6:3)
Note: Joseph was known as a carpenter and is it coincidental that Jesus was also known as a carpenter? I think not! He watched Joseph and wanted to do what Joseph did. If your children copied you…would you be pleased with the image?
A. We Consistently Model Character
B. We Consistently Model Compassion
C. We Consistently Model Conviction

CONCLUSION:
Do you remember the words of an aging Joshua to Israel in Joshua 24:15? It is up to us to speak up and lead our own homes in this GREAT GOD GIVEN ASSIGNMENT!