Gospel

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Sunday 6/16/13 Fathers Day Pastor Michael sermon=The Father Factor-The Impact of Involved Fathers Joshua 24:14-18
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The broader society is trying to downplay the role of fatherhood. Unfortunately, we have bought into it. The reality is that fathers are still very important. Fathers are important and we can’t deny their personal impact they have on children, families and society. Children who have fathers in their lives are more stable and do better in school. Because of involved fathers, children are more able to manage their emotions and have higher levels of education and career success. It is reported that 85% of incarcerated men state that they didn’t have an involved father in their lives. We should celebrate the fathers who stayed. They respected the children’s mother and said the children needed both their parents! We need involved fathers in our lives.
In our text, Joshua is saying that fathers had to be involved in the passing over of the Jordan and going into the new life for the children of Israel. Fathers are important to the process God has planned for us.

************Lessons for Fathers*****************

1) They Must Serve the Lord Thru Everything:

Verse 14. Joshua is saying that fathers must learn to take God thru everything. Not putting Him on and taking Him off! We can make it thru the valleys of life if we take the Lord with us. Everything we go thru in our lives, take God with you. Don’t have a part-time relationship with the Lord. When times get tough, Trust God when you can’t Trace God. We, the fathers, must not repeat the mistakes that our fathers did. Don’t let the mistakes of your father be your same mistakes. Show your children that you have a relationship with the Lord. Aren’t you glad that God didn’t forsake you? Men be real! Ain’t none of us all that! But God is! We need to hang on to God with a death grip! If people question us as to why we are in church on a Sunday afternoon, we should tell them that if they only knew what God did for us! All the bad times God has brought us men through! (drugs, unprotected sex, partying )

2) Fathers Teach Our Children to Have Respect for God:

Your children should know that they have a praying father. Let the children see the place where their father prays. When you show them your relationship with God, they will reverence and respect the Lord. Worship is for men who understand what life is all about!

3) Serve the Lord and Have Fellowship With the Lord

Your relationship with the Lord makes you a good father. The best way to become a good father is to be in relationship with God. We may make mistakes in life, but we know we can take it to the Lord and He will make it right. Don’t make the same mistakes of your father. Be better than him and say you can be a good daddy because God is a good daddy.

4) Set Out to Lead in Every Way:

Verse 15. Say out loud “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” this should be non-negotiable. We in my house are serving God! Some of us left some rusty teenagers at home in the bed. We can’t negotiate with our children. Tell them that God gave you the room, the bed, the computer, the smart phone and God gave it you to give to them. Sooooo…….on Sunday morning, we ALL are going to church to worship and thank God. We will thank God for what He is doing for us! Worship is NOT an option! Look at your neighbors and say my house is going to worship and bless the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
As for me and my house, we will Praise the Lord!

AMEN

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