One thing I believe the Bible
teaches is that fathers are to be spiritual leaders in their families and
examples for their children. If that is
the case, what is success for a Christian father so that he will be, before his
family, what God wants him to be?
Ideas come from Neil Cole, Organic
Leaders, a book I’ve been reading recently.
As we look at each point, you will want to keep your Bible open and turn
to the passages, or at least, to write them down to refer to later.
Success for a Christian father
is seen in:
1.
Faithfulness—Matt 25:21; Heb. 11:6
a.
Christian fathers
need faith in God—faith in God is trust/commitment to Him and His purposes
b.
Christian fathers
also need to be faithful to their commitment to the Lord—they need to persevere
with the Lord—stick with their commitments over the long haul
c.
This faithfulness
will also show itself in belief in one’s family—one’s children—sticking with
them through thick and thin—good and bad—that is an example to children
d.
Men—do you trust God
and live your life for Him? Do you seek
to live out your commitment to Him over the long haul? Are you a model of faith and faithfulness to
your wife and children?
2.
Success for a
Christian father is also seen in fruitfulness—John 15:5, 8
a.
Fruitfulness implies
several things for a Christian
i.
Obviously one of
your fruits is your children—fruit of your love for your wife and the
relationship God gave you
ii.
Fruit is also doing
good deeds (Lk 3:8-14)
iii.
Godly character
qualities are fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
iv.
Other fruit is when
our lives bear fruit in the lives of others (Mk 4:20)
1.
New believers
through your life is bearing fruit
2.
Others growing in
their faith through your life is also bearing fruit
v.
Christian—are you
bearing fruit—growing, living God’s way, witnessing/discipling/helping others
grow?
3.
A third success for
a Christian father is finishing well.
(2 Timothy 3:10-15; 4:6-8)
a.
How can one “finish
well” as a Christian father and a believer in Christ?
i.
You need those you
are accountable to—a small group you can share deeply with—who know you
intimately and help you grow spiritually
“Like iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17)
ii.
Paul—Timothy
relationship—older Christian discipling the younger—“you know me well”—so Paul
could then say, “I have fought the good fight”.
Tim would know if Paul wasn’t being truthful.
iii.
Mentoring
relationship—someone who helps you grow—and someone you help to grow as well. Both help you finish well.
iv.
Father—son
relationship—closeness, love, challenge for one another
v.
Regular time reading
Word, fellowship with other believers, worship, prayer. Self-feeding
b.
How are you
doing—finishing well? Meeting regularly
with a group who grow you and let you mentor them? People who pray for you, encourage you,
support you, challenge you to keep on rather than giving up?
I really believe, this kind of
man will also be a successful father.
So how are you doing my friend?
·
Are you faithful to
the Lord and family?
·
Are you being
fruitful for the Lord—in your life and the life of others as well?
·
Are you doing things
that help you finish well?
Could you say, to those who know
you the best, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith”?
If not, what do you need to do
differently, from this Father’s Day on, to make it happen?
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