The Good Father
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesDate written: June 16th, 2007
Scripture ref: Genesis 18:17-19
SUBJECT: Father’s Day
TITLE: The Good Father
PROPOSITION: To understand a good father through the example of Abraham. Abraham was a good father because he was 1) Present, 2) Protective, 3) Providing and 4) Faithful.
Objectives: By following the example of Abraham as a father we can be good fathers also.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Genesis 18:17-19
2. About the Text:
1) As God is about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah he comes to Abraham to tell him about this.
2) He does so, the Bible tells us, because He has great respect for Abraham.
3) The Bible tells us that Abraham was called the friend of God (James 2:23).
4) God knew Abraham.
5) And God commends Abraham for his faithfulness to his family.
6) Abraham sets a good example for us in this regard.
7) Let’s look at Abraham as a father.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Abraham was a good father because he was…
I. Present
1. There are many fathers today who are not so.
1) Some pursue worldly careers to the point that they never see their families.
2) Some pursue extra marital affairs cutting themselves off from their families.
3) Some simply abandon their families.
2. Abraham never did any of these things.
1) He was present for his family.
2) Wherever he went, he took his family with him.
3. A good father is present for his family.
1) Noah, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Zacharias and many others, while they had their faults, they were present for their families.
2) Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
3) Fathers must be present to do this.
4. Let us consider also that God, the Father, promises to be present for His family as well.
1) 1 Corinthians 8:6 “yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.”
2) Ephesians 4:6 “one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.”
5. A good father is present for his own.
II. Protective
1. Again we find in today’s world that many fathers are not a protection to their families, but a threat.
1) Some allow their children to do anything they want anytime they want.
2) Some fail to care for their children in providing the basic necessities.
3) Some abuse their children physically harming instead of protecting.
2. Abraham was a father who protected his family.
1) We recall one instance in which Lot and his family were taken captive by a conquering king.
2) Abraham took his servants with him to bring Lot and his family back (Genesis 14).
3) When it was time for Isaac to get a wife, Abraham sent a servant back to his home for a wife to protect him from the influences of the pagan women in Canaan (Genesis 24:4).
3. A good father seeks to protect his family.
1) Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
2) The Bible says fathers are to nurture their children.
4. Let us also consider that God the Father is also our great protector.
1) Psalm 84:11 “For Jehovah God is a sun and a shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
2) Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him.”
5. A good father protects his own.
III. Providing
1. Some fathers fail to be providers.
1) Some work, but use their money for selfish means such as drinking, gambling, and other vices.
2) Some fail to work at all not providing anything for their children.
3) Some even rob their children by using them as gain through the welfare system.
2. Abraham was a good provider.
1) Genesis 13:2 “And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”
2) We don’t know what the daily life of Abraham was like.
3) He probably spent a lot of time tending to his livestock and to business matters.
4) He maintained this wealth throughout his life through hard work and good business practices.
3. A good father will provide for his children.
1) Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
2) 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
3) In the book of Proverbs we find that a good father provides not only physically, but spiritually as well.
4) Over and over we see instruction given from the father to the son.
5) The good father understands that he must bring his children up in the Lord’s ways.
4. Let us also consider that God the Father is our Great Provider.
1) Acts 14:17 “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
2) 1 Timothy 6:17 says that God gives us all things to enjoy.
5. A good father provides for his own.
CONCLUSION:
1. Abraham was a good father because he was…
1) Present
2) Protective
3) Providing
2. Invitation
1) A good father is faithful to the Lord.
a. Abraham was faithful to God even to the point of his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac.
b. More than anything, children need to see an example of faithfulness in their own fathers.
c. Without that example, they may turn their backs on God seeing the hypocrisy in their fathers’ lives.
d. When fathers set the proper example of faithfulness to their children, God is glorified.
2) If you need to make changes in your life as a father, parent, or whatever your role is, please do so today.