(A legacy photo of my children and I enjoying some family time.)

Fatherhood Deeds

Trennie Williams, Pastor

Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church

Memphis, Tennesse

June 18, 2017

(This sermon also is published as an article in the Silver Star News June 14, 2017,

page 2 titled “What Fatherhood Really Means: A Saliute To Fatherhood”)

 

Today, people will give a salute to Father’s Day and focus on what fatherhood really means. There is one word that signifies the true meaning of being a father. Dad.

What does it mean to be a father? Psalm 127:3-4 says:

Psa 127:3-5 KJV

(3)  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

(4)  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

(5)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

 

Psa 127:3-5 AMP

(3)  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. [Deu_28:4]

(4)  As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.

(5)  Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them! They will not be put to shame when they speak with their adversaries [in gatherings] at the [city’s] gate.

 

Psa 127:3-5 BBE (Bible In Basic English)

(3)  See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.

(4)  Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.

(5)  Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.

In other words, children are like arrows in the hand of a “mighty man,” “warrior,” and a “man of war.” When we look at times of the past, future and present, fathers must be ready for war and preparing their children and families for battle. Why? Because there definitely are battles of spiritual warfare. The enemy, that Satan, comes to steal, kill and destroy your soul. How do fathers prepare their children for inward, spiritual battles? What should we do to overcome the adversary and his wicked devices?

There are certain deeds of a true dad. There are unending influences a father has on his children. History shows the importance of fathers helping to guide their children in the right direction. Here are a few Fatherhood Deeds dads should exhort all times as we prepare the next generation for eternal victory:

Deed #1—A father must lead his children. He must manage his home and keep his children under control with dignity. The man also must be dependent on God with unending prayer and meditation that result in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

Deed #2—A father must minister to his children. A dad does this by caring for and meeting his children’s needs. His mindset is that it is a privilege to care for a child. He is eager to fulfill his fatherly obligations by making his son and daughter a priority. He kindly tells his children that he loves them.

This is what the Lord means when he said, “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6)

Deed #3—A father must teach his children by ways of example. His way of living grips and never lets go the traits of integrity and accountability with God and other people.

“And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorsteps of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

Deed #4—A father must build a legacy through his children. The Word of God in his own heart, soul, mind, and strength should be transferred to each child. Every day is an opportunity for this same character to be passed down from generation to generation.

“For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” (Psalm 78:5-7)

Fathers are extremely important to the community as they embrace their children with leadership, ministry, example, and a positively effective legacy.