Malachi 4:5-6 5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

A) Fathers and the ‘Spirit of Elijah’

1 Kings 18:20-21 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

Stepping out of indecision

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept *63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average. *90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average. *85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control) *80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes –14 times the average. (Justice Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)* 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)

*Father Factor in Education – Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school. *Children with Fathers who are involved are 40% less likely to repeat a grade in school. *Children with Fathers who are involved are 70% less likely to drop out of school. *Children with Fathers who are involved are more likely to get A’s in school. *Children with Fathers who are involved are more likely to enjoy school and engage in extracurricular activities. *75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes – 10 times the average.

Joshua 24:15 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

B) Fathers need to re-discover,” The God who answers by fire.”

1 Kings 18:23-24 23 Get two bulls for us 1 Kings 18:23-24 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Ephesians 6:4 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

C) “Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord for it was in ruins.”

1 Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me 1 Kings 18:30  Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down.

It was at the altar that: 1) The turning of hearts began… It was at the altar that: 1) The turning of hearts began…..Restoration of relationship with God provides a foundation of restoration of relationship with our children 2) The curse was broke upon the land 3) The rains returned…..restoration began

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

D) The blame generation

Deut 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:2-3 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,     and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father,     but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.