WHAT MAKES A GREAT DAD
(LK. 8:41-56)
Thats the question that is seemingly unknown today in this country, and the age that we live in. And guess who is suffering
the most due to the fact that we don't know what it takes to be even a good dad must less a great dad. The children thats
who. And my friends because they are and have been suffering, so is and so shall America. Because you see they are the future
of not only the church, America also. We would do well to remember (Gal. 6:7-8)
It reminds me of what I heard a police detective say on TV. This man was probably not even a Christian, but I believe that
he pretty well summed up the problem of our youth today. He said we are faced with what we call super predators now. Young
people who kill for fun with no remorse at all. "They are Godless, fatherless, jobless, and hopeless."
What does the world regard as a great dad? 1. Men who have been able to hold down a good job. 2. Men who have been able
to support their families. 3. Men who can provide an education for their children. 4. Men who take their children places and
do things with them, spend time witn them.
But what is God's view of a great dad? 1. Men who have been saved, born again and are living it. 2. Men who have been faithful
to their wives, even in a day and age that tells us it is ok to commit adultery, and is even the thing to do. 3. Men who have
been examples to their children. Even when it is inconvient or seems not to be the macho thing to do.
And God knows how badly we need some real dads today. Some dads who will live the Christian life before their family. Dads
who will take charge of the families and be the high priest of the families instead of pushing it off on the wife. Dads who
are good tithers and teach their children to tithe and give to the work of God.
Lets look at a man who I believe to have been a great dad. His name was Jairus. Don't know much about him, but his name
is a Greek form of a Hebrew personal name, Jair meaning, "Jah will enlighten." Synagogue official who came to Jesus seeking
healing for his twelve-year-old daughter.
I.DID THE GREATEST THING A FATHER CAN DO(verse 41)
1. He came to Jesus and surrendered .
A. Doesn't really sound like much. But do you know what it takes
to come to Jesus?
1. The world has seemingly always told us men that is
a sissy
thing to do. To surrender
to Jesus and to live for him, is
just not manly.
2. Well let me tell you something it takes much
more of a man to
live the Christian
life than it does to just go along with the
crowd and be like
everyone else.
3. Easy to just float down stream, but try
going up stream, against
the stream.
2. He came to Jesus and confessed
A. What brought Jarius to Jesus in the first place
1. An upset in his home, a problem he could not
solve. He
needed a of the touch
of God on his child!
B. Is there a problem in your family that you just cannot seem to
solve?
3. He came to Jesus and worshiped
A. Humbled himself to worship
B. He submitted himself to worship
C. He worshiped in prayer
.
II. DEMONSTRATED THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF FATHER'S LOVE. (verse 42)
1. It was a sacrificial love. He came to talk to Jesus about his child. He
gave up things to come to Jesus for his child.
A. Men we must talk to God about our children! Taking them
to God
is more important than anything
else that we can do.
1. More important than having a good
job and making plenty of
money.
2. More important than making sure they
have plenty food and
warm clothing.
3. More important than taking them places
and doing things with
them.
4. More important than being sure they
get a good education.
5. Although all these things are
important, must take them to God
first. If
we put God first then all these other things will come.
B. The most privileged children in the world
1. Those whose parents, especially Dads, pray
for them
2. Those whose names are often before the throne of
grace.
C. The most underprivileged children
1. Those who grow up in godless homes
2. Those whose parents do not pray for them.
D. We can pray for our children and expect answers.(MT. 17:14-18)
2. It was a Responsible Love
A. He accepted his role as the high priest of the family
B. He accepted his role as the leader of the family.
3. It was a patient love.
A. He kept on trying to reach God for his child
III. FACED THE GREASTEST TEST OF A FATHER'S FAITH. (verses 49-56)
1. It a endurance test
A. Would he continue to seek god? Would he continue to believe in
God?
1. When the news came it was bad! His daughter
was dead.
2. Oh my God can you image what this poor man
felt?
2. It was a circumstantial test
A. The circumstances did not look good at all.
1. They told him his little girl was dead.
2. All those around him, his family, his friends,
thought there was
no hope. They very much
discouraged him.
3. It was a prepared test.
A. The healing of the woman along the way.
1. He witnessed first hand the power and love
of God.
2. Jesus had prepared him for this moment.
B. Men be assured that your faith will also be tested also.
1. Dads for your familys sake, walk with Jesus.
2. Walking with Jesus will surely build your faith and
you can be
sure that we will encounter
faith builders while walking with
Jesus.
CONCLUSION
An old minister, had gone to seek for his son who had dishonored his home and left father and mother. There was no address
to guide him. Only after many days was the name of the street discovered; and when the old minister, with his white hair,
stood at the end of it, he knew it was beyond him to go from door to door of its length. But a street musician came by just
then and he stopped him. Did he know an old tune, one that had been a favorite in the home when the children were young? Would
he walk with him along the street as he played? And he told him why.
"So they went slowly, the street musician and the old minister with his hat in his hand so that his face
could be seen, taking this last slender chance to find the son who had no use for him; seeking him who had no understanding
of the love in his father's heart.
The old minister looked down the street and saw a young man apporaching. When the young man came near he
said,with tears in his eyes, "Father, Father, do you know me?"" I was coming down the street to ask your for a dime, but when
I heard the music, I remembered." The old minister threw his arms around him and said," you want a dime? Everything I have
is yours."
On hear the words of God, Dad, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(PROV. 22:6)