Father's Day Sermon

When I share these notes they are often unedited. Straight from my notes. They are not meant to be published in a book just used to share the truths of God's Word. I hope they are a blessing.

I have some words of advice for Dads in different stages

• Not even a dad yet – grow in character now
• New dad – Patience
• Dad of Teenagers – Rolaids
• Dad of College age – second job
• Dad with grown kids – change your phone #

The Book of James gives us some better advice on being a Great Dad.

It starts with wisdom.

1. Wisdom is action and attitude

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

• Actions - Good life – deeds done
• Our works show our hearts
• Do good things for your family and others
• Attitudes – humility
• The opposite of humility is pride
• Putting ourselves ahead of others
• Looking down on others

We need wisdom in actions and attitudes.

2. worldly Wisdom brings disorder

James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

James 3:15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

• This is tough in our society where everything is based on competition
• House we live, car we drive, job we have
• We are pushed in the direction, bigger, stronger, faster
• If you won’t do it someone else will and they will get the promotion and you won’t – even though you are more qualified
• But wisdom says I won’t envy others and what they have – I will be thankful for what God has given me
• Selfish Ambition
• Ambition in itself isn’t bad
• Ambition pushes us to be better
• Someone without ambition the Bible calls a sluggard
• Selfish ambition is the desire to live for one’s self and no one or nothing else, only for what we can get out of it.
• Get ahead no matter the cost –
• Specifically – cost to relationships
• In context self-ambition involves – rallying others to your side to get your own way
• Church – instigator forcing people to choose sides
• Home – trying to make everyone see things your way

This wisdom although popular in the world is not to be part of our lives as Christians at home or in the church.

It comes not from God but from below.

And its outcome is always the same – disorder

• At home
• At church

Watch when things get out of balance – when things are in disorder

• Get the root cause and you will find bitter envy – selfish ambition
• I want what others have
• I’m going to get it no matter the cost

3. Godly Wisdom brings Peace

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

• Pure – integrity – completeness – not hypocritical - honest
• Peace-loving - some people just love to fight or stir up trouble – be peaceloving
• Considerate – putting others first
• Submissive – willing to yield – flexible
• Full of Mercy – gracious forgiveness
• Good fruit - will naturally be produced as we sow these other traits
• Sow something bad – reap something bad
• Sow good – reap good
• Impartial
• Not favoring one side over the other
• Sincere
• Genuine – The real deal

James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

• The worlds wisdom leads to Disorder
• Godly Wisdom leads to peace and righteousness

How do we get this type of Wisdom?

4. Godly Wisdom comes from Prayer

James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

James 4:2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

• You have not because you ask not
• If you ask you will have.
• This is not talking about material things
• It is talking about wisdom
• James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Dad’s – God is on your side

He knows what it is like to Father children who don’t obey

To have children that won’t listen and don’t learn.

He knows – He Cares – He can help.

Ask – Why is it so hard to ask for help sometimes?

Can it be that pride sometimes hinders our best judgment

Humbly ask God for help and he will give it.

Lord,
I need your special care.
Like your earthly father, Joseph,
I want to do God's will,
even if I may not always understand.

Make me gentle and selfless
in the care of my family and children;
help me guide them in the toils and troubles,
the happiness and wonders of this life.

Like my Father in heaven,
make me strong in love and forgiveness
for those you entrust to my care.

No one can do these things rightly, Lord,
without your constant help and boundless mercy.
Be with me always,
and may I come to you in heaven,
and all my family with me.
Amen.

God bless our dads