1 Faithful Fathers

Gallup Poll 79.1% of Americans said “the most significant family or social problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home” 79.1% of Americans said “the most significant family or social problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home” 90.1% believe “it is important for children to live in a home with both their mother and father” 90.1% believe “it is important for children to live in a home with both their mother and father”

Father Facts 24 million children (34%) live absent their biological father 24 million children (34%) live absent their biological father Nearly 20 million (27%) live in single- parent homes (tripled from 1960 to 1995) Nearly 20 million (27%) live in single- parent homes (tripled from 1960 to 1995) 1.35 million births (33% of annual births) in 2000 occurred outside of marriage 1.35 million births (33% of annual births) in 2000 occurred outside of marriage National Fatherhood Initiative

4 Fathers Needed! Who love their children, God & His word Fathers of faith, character & courage to meet the challenges of fatherhood, Eph. 6:4 Fathers should be respected & loved by their children – and be worthy of that respect & love, Eph. 6:1-3 (Prov. 19:26; 30:17) Who love their children, God & His word Fathers of faith, character & courage to meet the challenges of fatherhood, Eph. 6:4 Fathers should be respected & loved by their children – and be worthy of that respect & love, Eph. 6:1-3 (Prov. 19:26; 30:17)

5 Fatherhood “Nourisher, protector, upholder” (Vine, 228) God is our example, 2 Cor. 6:17-18 – Progenitor, Jas. 1:18 (Gal. 4:5-7) Creator – Provider, Jas. 1:17 Constancy – Protector, 2 Cor. 1:3 (Mt. 7:11) Comfort “Nourisher, protector, upholder” (Vine, 228) God is our example, 2 Cor. 6:17-18 – Progenitor, Jas. 1:18 (Gal. 4:5-7) Creator – Provider, Jas. 1:17 Constancy – Protector, 2 Cor. 1:3 (Mt. 7:11) Comfort

6 Progenitors Gen.5:3 Fathers give life…and more “After his image” – Like produces like (Jno. 8:39, 44) » Values, morals, character, attitudes & lives are shaped by fathers, Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6 Fathers give life…and more “After his image” – Like produces like (Jno. 8:39, 44) » Values, morals, character, attitudes & lives are shaped by fathers, Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6

7 Providers 2 Cor.12:14-15 Physical provisions, 1 Tim. 5:8 – Faith, Matt. 6:25-34 (1 Ths. 4:11-12) Spiritual provisions, Eph. 6:4 – Mind, morals, manners – Save your household (Heb. 11:7) Physical provisions, 1 Tim. 5:8 – Faith, Matt. 6:25-34 (1 Ths. 4:11-12) Spiritual provisions, Eph. 6:4 – Mind, morals, manners – Save your household (Heb. 11:7)

8 Providers 2 Cor.12:14-15 Spiritual provisions, Eph. 6:4 – Teach God’s word, Isa. 38:19; Prov. 4; Psa. 78:5-7 – Correction, Prov. 3:11-12 (Heb. 12:5-6) Emotional provisions, Col. 3:21 Example & influence, Matt. 5:16 Spiritual provisions, Eph. 6:4 – Teach God’s word, Isa. 38:19; Prov. 4; Psa. 78:5-7 – Correction, Prov. 3:11-12 (Heb. 12:5-6) Emotional provisions, Col. 3:21 Example & influence, Matt. 5:16

9 Protectors Gen.45:7-8 Physical harm, Matt. 7:9-10 (Eccl. 9:2, 11) Spiritual danger, 1 Ths. 2:11-12 Set the standard, Josh. 24:15 Physical harm, Matt. 7:9-10 (Eccl. 9:2, 11) Spiritual danger, 1 Ths. 2:11-12 Set the standard, Josh. 24:15

10 Two Fathers ABRAHAM A father God could trust, Gen. 18:19 ABRAHAM A father God could trust, Gen. 18:19 ELI A father who preferred his sons over God, 1 Sam. 2:17, 22-25, (3:13); Matt. 10:37 ELI A father who preferred his sons over God, 1 Sam. 2:17, 22-25, (3:13); Matt. 10:37

11 Faithful Fathers A father’s joy & reward 3 Jno. 4; Prov. 23:15-16 A father’s responsibility Eph. 6:4 A father’s joy & reward 3 Jno. 4; Prov. 23:15-16 A father’s responsibility Eph. 6:4