Faith That Fathers the Fatherless (Week 3 Lynden)
Date: 06/21/09Speaker: Kim Ryan
Series: Revolutionary Faith
Categories: Lynden
June 20/21, 2009
Faith that Fathers the Fatherless
It’s Father’s Day weekend, and we have lots to celebrate!
1) We have an awesome Heavenly Father who loves us so much He sacrificed His own Son to purchase our complete forgiveness and secure our adoption as His children. We were all orphans before Christ purchased our complete adoption with His own Blood .
Ephesians 1:3-8
2) We also have some “priceless” fathers, grandfathers, and even great grandfathers we have the privilege of honoring today just as God’s Word tells us to do.
Ephesians 6:2-3
Why are these fathers so “priceless and honorable”? God uses them powerfully to do the following:
1. Provide for their families and others real needs.
Genesis 3:19
2. Protect their families from physical, emotional, financial and even spiritual threats.
Proverbs 4:20-23
3. Pattern a relationship with God and others that their children can imitate. Ephesians 5:1-2; Ephesians 6:4
4. Purposefully lead their families into God’s best.
Joshua 24:15
5. Prayerfully counsel and comfort their families providing the wisdom, faith, and support they need to face life’s challenges.
Proverbs 4:1-4
The great news is that we don’t have to be a perfect father to be a priceless father. God, our Father and potter, works with us to continually shape us into being the father our family needs and that we long to be.
Isaiah 64:8; Philippians 1:6
3) The truth is everyone needs a priceless father! That’s why God Himself takes that role for those who don’t have one and repeatedly and strongly commands us to care for the fatherless. We love God, our Father, by helping Him father the fatherless!
Psalm 68:5; Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Psalm 10:17-18; Deuteronomy 24:17-21; Deuteronomy 27:19; Exodus 22:22-24; Proverbs 23:10; Job 31:16-23; Isaiah 1:17; Psalm 82:3-4; James 1:27
God, Our Father, commands us to provide, protect and purposefully reach out to the fatherless so they can experience His passionate love for them.
Here is how we can father the fatherless practically!
1. Pray fervently and faithfully for the fatherless.
2. Adopt orphans or become a foster parent.
3. Financially sponsor a fatherless child monthly.
4. Support ministries that care for the fatherless.
5. Support those who are adopting orphans or caring for foster children in your own community.
6. Be an advocate for orphans’ needs and rights.
7. Mentor children in your church and community.
Father’s Day weekend is the perfect time to commit your life to a Heavenly Father who wants to adopt you as His very own child. Will you receive His love and forgiveness today?
1 John 3:1a
Discussion Questions:
1) What do you love the most about your Heavenly Father? How have you experienced His love and care for you recently? What do you appreciate most about your earthly father if you have one? What strengths did you see in his life that you have tried to emulate?
2) Review the five reasons why dads are so priceless. If you are a dad, which of those are you strong in? Which ones are you working with God on? Do you see why God wants everyone to have a dad, and why He wants us to help Him father the fatherless?
3) Read through all the scriptures about God's commitment to father the fatherless and our call to help Him. Isn't that a compelling call from the Word of God? Now read through the possible applications for your life. Which one is God speaking to your heart about? What are you going to do to join God in being a father to the fatherless?