1.  The United States is rapidly becoming a fatherless society.

    A.  1960 - 5.8 million American children lived in single-parent families.
    B.  1997 - 18 million!
    C.  40 percent of our children do not live in the same home as their biological father.

2.  Since the 1960's there has been a serious breakdown of fatherhood on the lives of children today.

    A.  Here are some areas in which this breakdown has become evident:

        1)  Poverty - half of all children living with a single mother.
            * A rate 5-6 times greater than those living with two parents.
        2)  Health Problems - Teens have more health problems, especially emotional.
        3)  Child Abuse - 69% of abused children come from single-parent homes.
        4)  Crime - Children from single parent homes are more likely to get involved in a crime.
        5)  Violence - Children living apart from their fathers are more likely to be expelled or suspended from school.

    B.  Here are some television messages being sent out about fatherhood:

        1)  Murphy Brown - Man is only needed to conceive a child, then discarded.
        2)  The Cosby Show - Man is portrayed as a "Father Knows Worst" kind of guy. The brains for knowing how to run the house belong to mom.
        3)  Archie Bunker - Portrayed as an ignorant prejudiced tyrant.

3.  In the darkness created by the deterioration in the home today, Christian Fathers have a wonderful opportunity to display the light of the gospel as God has directed.

1.  A friend to his family.

    A.  Jesus established what a friend really is:

John 15:12-14 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

        1)  A friend sacrifices - is trustworthy - is committed

    B.  Keeps his responsibilities in all areas of life. He loves his wife and children.

2.  A teacher to his family.

    A.  Must want to show his family the right way. It's his responsibility.

Eph 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

    B.  Teach them to be faithful Christians

    C.  Teach them to obey mom and dad

Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

        1)  This starts at a very early age and must be consistent.

3.  A protector to his family.

    A.  Protecting from cold, hunger, and harm.

1 Tim 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

        1)  A father is willing to live and die for those under his protection.

            a.  That is what Jesus did.

4.  A leader to his family.

    A.  God designed for the man to be the leader, the ruler of the family, as Christ is the ruler of the church.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

        1)  Of most significance is leading his family in service to God.

Josh 24:15-16 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

1.  The Lord's church will only be as strong as the father's that are in it.

    A.  Elders must first be successful fathers.

        1)  Before one can shepherd the flock of God, he must first show that he can shepherd the flock of his house.

            a.  This is shown by his example in bringing up his children in the chastening of the Lord.

Heb 12:9-11 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;
nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Prov 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

            b.  This is shown by his successful teaching of his children.

A father must show his ability to teach his children before he can teach God's people.

        2)  The things a man teaches his children are the things he will teach to the body of Christ.

To live and to think upon these things:

    1.  To love all men and that which is good and right. (1 Cor 13)
    2.  To love, live, and always do good to the best of his ability. (1 Pet 3:10f)
    3.  To honor and obey the laws of God and man (Jam 1:22-25; Gal 6:2)
    4.  To hold to the one hope (Rom 8:24; Tit 1:2)
    5.  To always seek truth and right in everything.
    6.  To know that they must reap what they sow (Gal 6:7-8)
    7.  To always love, honor, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ FIRST in our life.

1.  Fathers are very important.

    A.  Children ---- love your father, as there are many that do not have one.

    B.  Fathers ----- love your children, because what they become will depend on your example and teaching.

Richie Thetford