Father’s Day 2012

We’re going to give you some theology but also practical help today.  Some of the things I am going to say will no doubt upset some of the woman.  But hey, we listened attentively to the wonderful mother’s day message from Pat, so give us some grace to allow the testosterone to resonate!

We recognise that today we have single dads here and kids who have never met their dad; we also have those who have married and taken on someone else’s children; we also have those who are happily married and have no children or who have many.  There is a wide spectrum in Life Church.  Nothing I say today I going to appeal to all of you absolutely!

Some men here cannot see their children for whatever reason.  Father’s Day is tough for them.  Some kids never see daddy, Father’s Day is tough for them too.

No generation has struggled more with what it means to be a man in than any other.  We have lived through a feminist revolution, which whilst honouring women, has resulted in a confused view of manhood.  We also have a proliferation of single parents today, for numerous reasons.  I was a product of a single parent family.  This can lead to a search for great make role models. 

Cole: “Boys want to grow up to be a man just like mum.”

Mums you’re doing great.  But church, where we see a single mum with children perhaps some of the men here could offer to spend some time with their kids, sons in particular, so they have a positive role model.

I have lived by the maxim that one of my favourite authors said, “Manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous!” (Ed Cole).

To know what we are to be as men we need to see what Jesus was like.  And I don’t mean an emasculated version that we’re presented with.  Jesus had the most compassionate heart that ever beat in a man, but He also had rough and calloused hands from years of carpentry.  We need to strike a balance of who Jesus actually is!

Jesus is described for us in many ways in the Bible.  Three of the most significant ways are as Prophet, Priest and King.

1.   Jesus as Prophet

A prophet of God is someone who reveals God, speaks for God, and communicates to people the truths that God wants them to know. 

Undoubtedly, Jesus did this when he came to do the will of the Father (Luke 22:42), to reveal the Father (Matt. 11:27), and to speak the things of the Father (John 8:28; 12:49).  See also Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22-23.

Jesus refers to himself as a prophet.

Matt. 13:57: And they took offense at him.  But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honour.” See also Luke 13:31-33.

2.   Jesus as Priest

The priests were the ones in the Old Testament who offered sacrifices to God in order to cleanse of sin. 

Ultimately, all such priests were representations of Jesus who is the True Priest who offered Himself as a sacrifice (Eph. 5:2; Heb. 9:26-27; 10:12), by which he cleanses us of our sin (1 John 1:7). 

But, Jesus is called a priest after the order of Melchizedek:

Heb. 6:20: where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Meaning?  One who will continue to intercede for the people for eternity.  See also Heb. 9:11 (no time to dwell on Melchizedek).

As a priest, Jesus is our mediator between God and us.

1 Tim. 2:5: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

It could be said that both the Prophet and the priest stand between God and man.  In the case of the prophet, he delivers the word of God, from the top down.  In the case of the priest, he delivers the sacrifices of people to God, from bottom to top. 

So, Jesus is a prophet who delivers the word of God to us and He is also the priest who delivers his sacrifice, on our behalf, to God the father.

3.   Jesus as King

A king is someone who has authority to rule and reign over a group of people.  Jesus is just such a King.  He is called the King of the Jews by the Magi (Matt. 2:2), and Jesus accepts that title:

Matt. 27:11: Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

Matt. 21:5: speaks of Jesus and says, "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey….”

Remember, Jesus is King in that He rules and judges:

Rev. 19:11: I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.  The armies follow him. 

So if Jesus is a Prophet, Priest and King, and Christlikeness and manhood are synonymous, how does that affect the way a Christian man is to be?

4.   A Man as a Prophet

We are supposed to be able to hear God’s word for our family.  This is not an exclusive role.  One of the lessons I had to learn early on in my marriage was that Barbie can hear God too!

If we are supposed to hear God and steer our family accordingly, then we need to be spending time with God!  There is no great secret to this fellas; no shortcut, no silver bullet.  If we want to hear God speak we have to spend some time listening!

This will transform the family and our marriages!

“And let me tell you, a hesitant man is the last thing in the world a woman needs.  She needs a lover and a warrior, not a “Really Nice Guy.””  John Eldredge

We are supposed to be the thermostats not the thermometer. 

A wife may submit out of duty because she believes her husband is the head of the home but how is it that we expect wives to submit out of duty when we don’t’ obey God?

Spend time listening to God!!

5.   A Man as a Priest

A priest is one who intercedes and, in Jesus case, becomes the sacrifice for all humanity. 

We too are to intercede and to lay our lives down for them.

Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Our life is sacrificial, not giving everything our kids or wives could ask for as that is impossible! 

But we lay down our lives for them for one day we have to present them to God.

How do we get this in our hearts?  We pray for them, but we ache when we do!  Just saying a quick “Bless my sons, bless my wife,” like a bedtime prayer of our youth is OK but is not interceding.

Interceding for our wives and kids means not letting God rest until he has answered!

Let me tell you something to dads who have not got custody of their kids – you never stop being a priest to them!  Never stop interceding and never stop being one who guides them in God.

Never stop being a prophet and priest!

[Gareth interviewing a Granddad, Dad and a Son from different families – this went down really well in the service].

6.   A Man as a King

A king is one who has treasure.  If you are married or aspire to be then your wife is a treasure entrusted to you by God. 

1 Cor. 7:11: A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

We are benevolent kings who cherish our wives.  I have said it once, and I’ll say it often I guess, that when I see a distressed wife I look first to the husband for she is his glory!  Now often it’s nothing to do with the husband, but often when she is distressed she needs something from her man!

A king provides and from this provision respect is earned! 

A king deserves respect, but if a wife or children cannot respect a man then they won’t want to own his name.  We live in an age when women work too; sometimes they are the main earner.  We have had several times in our marriage when Barbie was the main bread winner.  Not my happiest time for there is something in a man that wants to care for his wife.

John Eldredge believes that a man has, "a desperate desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.”

NOTE: But provision is not just to do with money or roof over the heads.  Provision is also to do with the environment of peace, love and security.

The woman is the glory of the man!  That means she has a special place in creation!

“She is the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God. Woman.  In one last flourish creation comes to a finish with Eve. She is the Master's finishing touch.” – John Eldredge

“The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother.” – Ed Cole

Men, if you can do this, this will bring a kingly security into the home that will astonish your children. 

If you make your wife your priority, then she will make you hers!

Wrapping It Up

We know this has been a bit general this morning, but if you’d like to chat more let us know.

I’d also like to set up a men’s mentoring group.  If you’re interested in getting together with me on a one to one basis for coffee etc. then let me know.

Remember, to be the prophet, priest and king in your home!