"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together." – Romans 8:14-17 NKJV

1. Today is Father’s day, and although normally I would not alter my course I felt it a good opportunity to look into some things about fathers and our Heavenly Father

   1. I would like to consider most of all the example of Jesus, our elder brother

      1. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." – Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

   2. As a father, you are to look at God as your example

   3. As a father, your children should look to you as an example

2. How does this apply to me, why talk to the church body at large about this?

   1. Although you may not be a father or even a man, the general principals are relevant for every believer to consider personally

   2. Some may never have children but there are those around to whom you may become a spiritual role model

      1. Anyone in any ministry must understand the role and call of God on your life, in the life of others

      2. Anyone following the Lord will find themselves, at times rare or often, looking after others and having others look to you as an example

   3. For those that are fathers we need to acknowledge some things

      1. We have been called as stewards of God’s gifts

      2. Our parenting is something dear to the heart of God

      3. As a father our life should exemplify who God is by His design

3. As a father, you are to look to God as your example

   1. Jesus was the example to us as God’s Son

      1. "Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. … "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to [them], even so the Son gives life to whom He will." – John 5:19, 21 NKJV

         • Jesus looked to the Father as a life model

      2. "Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [He], and [that] I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." – John 8:28 NKJV

         • Jesus learned from the Father what to say

      3. "For I have not spoken on My own [authority]; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." – John 12:49 NKJV

         • Jesus followed the direction and authority of the Father

      4. Notice and understand the relationship between Jesus and the Father

         • What do others witness in your daily life?

         • More importantly, who are you looking to as a role model?

         • Jesus looked to His Father as the lead of His life

         • "Though He was a Son, [yet] He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." – Hebrews 5:8 NKJV

   2. Those following the Lord are qualified to lead others

      1. "Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."" – Mark 1:17 NKJV

         • With the teaching, leading, and authority of His Father, Jesus called men to follow

      2. "Imitate me, just as I also [imitate] Christ." – 1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

         • Paul also told people to follow his lead

      3. "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." – Ephesians 5:1 NKJV

         • We are instructed to follow after God as well, to be imitators

         • Not merely people who are along for the ride but to act according to the example set

4. As a father, your children should look to you as an example of godliness

   1. We know that children often follow the parents example no matter the quality of parent

      1. It is commonly seen how bad an influence certain people can be on their kids

      2. Sadly, there are times children vow to never be like their parents

   2. There is a deeper issue than simply actions, there is also love

      1. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." – John 15:9 NKJV

      2. "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." – John 13:1 NKJV

      3. How you love and hate, instruct and protect, does everything a father does, will communicate who you are to your children

      4. We may not always be a perfect example like Jesus was, but if we have the love of God and love those around us we will glorify God

         • "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."" – 1 Peter 4:8 NKJV

   3. Another deeper issue, our children should respect us and look to us because the foundation of our life

      1. Recall the words of Jesus and the gravity of them concerning your life and the life of your family

         • "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." – Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV

         • No man would build a house unsafe for his family, however it is so often done spiritually that it is rare to find it built properly

      2. Consider the instruction given in the preamble of Romans 12, which leads us into the operation of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in the assembly of the church

         • "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." – Romans 12:1-3 NKJV

         • Present your body to God as a living sacrifice – anything unholy ought to be laid on the alter at God’s feet

         • Not conformed but transformed by God’s word

         • A life that shows God’s grace by submission to His will

         • Humility and sobriety of thought

5. Finally, let us have grace

   1. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God [is] a consuming fire." – Hebrews 12:28-29 NKJV

      1. Understanding our Father in heaven should bring us to give grace to all around us

      2. "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."" – James 4:6 NKJV

   2. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." – Acts 2:42 NKJV

      1. It is time for the church to return to the basics of Christianity, Bible study, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer.

      2. These are the pillars of a temple that is built to endure, the foundation is the Lord Himself