Message Notes:
Fathers in 3D
Our Destiny, Our Design, Our Duty
PRO 17:6, Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
PRO 1:8, My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;
A. A Father’s Destiny (Purpose)
Fathers instruct, mothers impart the law of God. Instructions and principles form the basic tools for building anything, including a life. “Law” speaks of what to do. “Instruction” speaks of what to do.
1. He is destined to bring correction and Instruction
a. HEB 12:9, “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?”
b. Correction from a father prepares children to accept God’s correction
2. He is destined to be admired by his children and grandchildren.
B. A Father’s Design
Fathers, like Adam, the “father” of Eden, are developed by divine instruction and maximized (brought to fullness) through action in divine purpose. Gen. 1:26, 2:8-15
1. He is designed to reflect Father God’s:
• Image (Character)
• Likeness (Manner)
• Dominion (Action)
2. He is designed to cultivate (tend and keep) the purpose of God in sons and daughters
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.
3. He is designed to Reflect Christlikeness and Remove any curse
Gal. 3: 13, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"[2] ), 14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Numbers 14:17, And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, 18 "The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.' 19 Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."
C. A Father’s Duty
Fathers are gateways to provision, protection and power. “In the gates…”
Jer. 17:19, Thus the LORD said to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20and say to them, "Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates.
1. His duty is to lead the way (Not like Samuel 1 Sam. 8:1-3 “Our father which art inactive”)
2. His duty is to overcome obstacles and build for the future
a. Nehemiah 4:14, “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
3. His duty is to set standards that children and others should follow
a. PRO 22:28 Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.
Our responsibility to our Fathers is to:
• Listen to him
• Learn from him
• Lean on him
• Love him
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