Happy Father's Day

my fathers day gift from Jon and Jess

¹⁴ I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. ¹⁶ So I urge you to imitate me.

¹⁷ That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.  I Cor. 4:14-17

Happy Father’s Day! Some are celebrating being a dad for the first time, some are seasoned dad’s, and some have lost their father within the past year.  Father relationships have the potential to stir up intense emotional responses.  Some of you had wonderful interaction with your dad who has spurred you on in life.  Some of you maybe had a dad present, but he never engaged with you on an emotional level.  Others grew up with without a father being present in your home, either through death or divorce.

Within this passage we can glean several things about fathering.  First, fathers have a role to protect, this is why Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthians.  He tells them that he wants to “warn” them as children.  Dad’s  we must set boundaries for our children.  This would include not putting fingers in electrical sockets, don’t play in the road, and don’t touch the hot stove.  As they mature, it would also include warning about choosing friends wisely, responsibility of car driving, and steward money and possessions.  DAD SAY SOMETHING!  Have those conversations! God has imparted a wisdom to you that you need to share with your kids.  Make sure the children know what Dad would say or think about the issue they are facing.

Second, Paul tells us that we all have the potential to be fathers through the gospel.  A father produces or originates something.  Children are the fruit of the father’s seed.  Spiritually Paul says that sharing the gospel can see people come to Christ.  In this sense, we have a responsibility to the new child of God to help them mature.  No sharing of the gospel, means no spiritual children.  Take time to learn how to effectively share…the harvest is plentiful.  God is looking for workers to tell others the good news.

Third, Paul says that we will be imitated, so we should live in a way that is worthy of imitating.  The phrase, “don’t do as I do, do as I say” is hypocritical.  All dad’s know we are not perfect and there may be personality choices that we hope our children do not imitate.  But God allows imitation  to encompass imperfection.  Losing your temper and yelling at the driver in front of you is not the problem.  How do you respond afterwards?  Do you let you children hear you ask God for forgiveness?  Do they see you humble yourself before God, by acknowledging your bad behavior?  Do they hear you speak blessing and safety over the driver that caused you frustration?  Children watch the whole event.  They see you argue with mom, but they also see you make up and resolve the conflict.  They WILL imitate you..make it a good impression.

Finally, Paul gives a proof text of his fathering.  He sends Timothy to the Corinthians.  Paul is so confident in his son in the faith that he tells them, Timothy will fully re-represent my model and teaching before you.  Do you know someone like that in your life?  Have you spent enough time with a spiritual son or daughter in the faith that they will be able to communicate those things that are important to you?  You see Paul was exhibiting faith and confidence in Timothy.  Children will grow up.  They need to know that you believe in them.  They need to know that they have what it takes to make it in life.  You can’t do it for them.  But you have to let them go.

Happy Father’s Day!  Remember to include the Paul’s in your life.  They made an imprint in you that impacts your Christian walk, even to this day.

Pastor Greg