Historical Posts
I Must be About My Father’s Business
Introduction
A. Today is Father’s Day, and perhaps many individuals are treating Dad out to dinner or simply spending some quality time with him.
B. Perhaps one thing that makes a lot of dads happy is knowing that their son will one day follow in their footsteps.
C. What about Jesus? Did He follow in His Father’s footsteps?
Body
I. Jesus had an earthly father.
A. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14).
B. Mary, a virgin, was betrothed to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:27-35; 4:22).
C. Joseph was a carpenter (Mark 6:3).
II. Jesus had a Heavenly Father.
A. The only begotten Son has declared the Father (John 1:18).
B. The Son, who is from God, has seen the Father (John 6:46).
C. The Son and the Father are one (John 10:30).
D. The Son would go to His Father (John 14:28-31; 16:28).
III. Jesus did His Heavenly Father’s will.
A. Jesus did the works of His Heavenly Father (John 9:4).
B. Jesus was baptized by John (Luke 3).
C. Jesus was tempted by Satan, and overcame temptation (Luke 4).
D. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
E. Jesus commanded the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).
F. Jesus ascended into Heaven, vowing to return (Acts 1:9-11).
Conclusion
A. As Jesus was born of a virgin, Joseph brought Him up.
B. At the age of 12, Jesus knew He was here to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-50).
C. He did the will of His Heavenly Father (John 3:16)!
D. Now, the rest is up to us to do His Father’s will (John 6:37-40).
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Just for Fathers
Getting home late, after a very hectic day at the office, dad had just settled down in his easy chair, newspaper in one hand and a cool glass of tea in the other, when his four year old came down the hall and pounced in his lap. He had a thousand questions, but all dad wanted was to be left alone. “Daddy,” he demanded, “what did you do today?” “Nothing,” came the curt reply from dad. Undaunted, the fellow asked, “But daddy, how did you know when you were done?”
Children need their fathers! Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying fathers are more important than mothers. Both are important! But, it seems to me that many fathers do not appreciate the tremendous trust they have been given. “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).
Child rearing was intended to be a joint venture. Fathers, as well as mothers, have a vital part to play. It is fathers who are called upon to “bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Being a father entails much more than seeing that the bills are paid and that there is food on the table. It means being there to answer their questions, remove their fears, and ease their pain. It means giving yourself!
Don’t get too busy to be a father. If asked the two most important things a father should do for his children, I think I would answer as follows. First, the most important thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Second, just be there when they need you, and point them to God. It’s not too late to start.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Home as God Designed It: Husbands and Fathers
Home as God Designed It
Husbands and Fathers - Wives and Mothers - Children
Husbands and Fathers
The man’s role in the home, as husband and father, is frequently misunderstood in our society. God has ordained that men and women must fulfill specific roles and responsibilities, in order for the home to function properly. It seems that men struggle more than women with understanding and playing the roles that God has appointed for them, in every household.
In Ephesians 5:22-23, the Bible says, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.” The husband’s role as the “head” of the house is one that is the most misunderstood. It does not mean that he is a dictator in his home, or that his wife is bound to obey his every command. It does, however, mean that he is the spiritual head of his family, and that it is his God-given responsibility to make sure that everyone in his home is on their way to Heaven (Ephesians 6:4). Many husbands in our society are unconcerned about spiritual things and are certainly not leading their families in the pathway of righteousness. If a man wants his wife and children live Christian lives, he must lead them in doing so.
Furthermore, as “head” of the house, it is the man’s God-given responsibility to provide for the material needs of his family, as well as their spiritual needs. First Timothy 5:8 Second Thessalonians 3:10 make it plain that any man who is able to work and support his family, but refuses to do so, is failing to fulfill his duty toward them and toward the Lord. For many years people have bemoaned the sad condition of our society, in which fathers abandon their families and spend all their time and resources in selfish pursuits. This sort of behavior is intolerable in a Christian home.
In Ephesians 5:33, the Bible says, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” It is the wife’s duty to “submit to” and to “reverence” her husband. This means that she is to respect his judgment and be supportive in his guidance of the home. But, a husband who fails to lead his house in the right direction is not deserving of respect or support. A woman will respect a man who behaves as a man should, but she will not have respect for a man who is derelict in his spiritual and material responsibilities.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” – Ephesians 5:25
Is God Part of Your Family?
Families everywhere are in crisis. The integrity of what was once considered an “average” family (husband/father with wife/mother and children all living together in one house) is under assault from numerous adversaries. Many have given up on the ideals of marriage and family life, in favor of modern sensibilities. But, we don’t have to settle for anything less than the Biblical model of what “home” is all about. If you want a truly Christian home, then the first thing you need to do is make God part of your family. This happens when families make God’s Word the central focus of their lives. When the Bible is read in the home, obeyed in the home, and reverenced in the home, then the home will be as God designed it. The problem with modern families is that they are not based on God’s design for the home. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to making God part of our families. Our lives will be better for having made the effort.
Content by Russell Kline
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God, the Father – The “First Person” of the Godhead
One of the most commonly held misconceptions about God, the Father is that many people think of Him as the “Head” of the Godhead. But, there is no such thing as a hierarchy in the Godhead. Jesus often spoke of the unity of the Godhead, when He made statements like, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). In John 14:8-12, Jesus spoke to His disciples about His equality with the Father, saying, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.” John 5:18 adds this footnote: “he…said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”
It is true that the Bible says that Jesus yielded His will to the Father’s (Hebrews 5:8-9), but one must consider the fact that the Christ is both human and divine. It was the Lord’s humanity that had to be obedient to the Father. It does not mean that Jesus is, in any way, inferior to the Father.
The same may be said about the Holy Spirit. In Acts 5:1-11, the story of Ananias and Sapphira is meant to show us that lying to the Holy Ghost is just as wicked and sinful as lying to the Father. Peter said, “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost…thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:3-4). Here, the Holy Spirit is likened unto God, the Father, as an equal. There is no hierarchy in their relationship.
The concept of three beings that share the office of “God” is difficult us, in the modern world, to understand. In the ancient world, most civilizations were governed by kings and queens in a monarchal system. Sometimes, two or more rulers would form a “co-regency,” meaning that they would share power over the land. This happened a few times in Israel and Judah, usually when one king was very old, he would name a successor and the two would reign simultaneously for a while. There would be only one throne, but two would share the office of “king.” The Godhead works in a similar way. There is only one God, but there are three beings who share the office.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” – 1 John 5:7
Content by Russell Kline
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God, the Father – The Object of Our Devotion
In John 4:23-24, the Scriptures make it clear that God, the Father, is the one to whom we express our devotion, in worship. Certainly, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are part of our worship services, but it is the Father who is meant to receive our adoration (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; John 16:13). Of course, this implies that our worship must not be directed toward anyone other than God. We must not worship angels (Colossians 2:18), neither must we worship other human beings, no matter how important they may be (Acts 10: 25-26).
The Father’s role in worship is similar to the role He plays in our prayers. Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father (Luke 11:2). Our prayers are offered to God by the authority of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray (John 16:23). Even the Holy Spirit is involved in the prayers we offer, giving us help in times of need (Romans 8:26). In like manner, the implication of this teaching is that our prayers must not be directed toward anyone other than God. We do not pray to angels, nor do we pray to departed “saints.”
The Father’s role within the Godhead has been described as being that of “architect.” He spoke, and the universe came into being (Psalm 33:8-9). He conceived the church in His mind, as a part of the scheme of redemption (Ephesians 3:10-11). His mind is the wellspring from which everything that exists ultimately came (Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:25). He is worthy of our praise and devotion, for there is none other that is like unto Him. “Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah.” (Psalm 150:6; ASV).
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” – John 4:23
Content by Russell Kline
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God, the Father – The Name of the Lord
Most of the time, He is simply called, “God” (Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This is one reason why some people see Him as the “Chairman” of the Godhead. But, this view is mistaken, since all the members of the Godhead are co-equal with each other (John 17:20-21).
Also, He is known as, “the Father” (Ephesians 4:6; John 14:8-9). This term is indicative of the parental relationship that God has with us (Hebrews 12:5-13). The concept of God, as our Heavenly Father is meant to reinforce the fact that He loves us supremely (1 John 4:8; John 3:16).
In the King James Version of the Bible, He is frequently called, “the Lord.” The vast majority of the examples of this are found in the Old Testament. This can be a bit confusing, since Jesus is frequently called, “the Lord” in the New Testament.
In the American Standard Version, and in most modern versions of the Bible, He is called, “Jehovah.” Some versions use the word, “Yahweh,” instead of “Jehovah.” This is an attempt to transliterate the Hebrew word, “Yehovah,” which is the Jewish name for God. As it says in the rendering of Psalm 83:18 ASV, “That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth.” Originally, the word was simply, “Yhwh,” before vowels were added to the written Hebrew language.
No matter how it is translated, “Yehovah” usually refers to God, the Father. In Deuteronomy 6:4, it is used to describe the concept of the Godhead. There, the text says, “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.” In this passage, we see the two most commonly used Hebrew words for God: “Yehovah” and “Elohiym.” “Elohiym” is the most commonly used Hebrew word for God, and the interesting thing about it is that it is a plural word. It appears in Genesis 1:26, where the text says, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Clearly, the ancient Hebrews understood the concept of a plurality of beings, which share “the state, or office, or quality of being God!”
Throughout the Bible, we are presented with a clear picture of divinity as three beings who are, in fact, ONE GOD (Deuteronomy 6:4). A study of name of God helps us to understand this important principle.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” – Deuteronomy 6:4
Content by Russell Kline
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Faith within the Family
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Introduction
1. As Christians, we are privileged to be members of God’s family…
a. With God as our Father in heaven
b. With Christ as our Elder Brother
c. With many fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters – cf. Mark 10:29-30
2. Even so, we also have duties as members of our human families…
a. As husbands and wives
b. As parents and children
c. As married and single
[What impact should our faith as Christians have on our physical families? What are our responsibilities as Christians who are blessed with familial relationships? Consider first…]
Body
I. THE CHRISTIAN AS HUSBAND AND FATHER
A. DUTIES OF THE HUSBAND…
1. Husbands are to love their wives – Ephesians 5:25-29
a. As Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her
b. As their own bodies, nourishing and cherishing them
2. Husbands are to leave mother and father – Ephesians 5:31
a. Leaving parents to be joined to one’s wife
b. The husband therefore gives his wife priority over his parents
3. Husbands are not to be bitter toward their wives – Colossians 3:19
a. “do not be harsh with them” – Colossians 3:19 ESV
b. “never treat them harshly” – Colossians 3:19 NRSV
4. Husbands are to be understanding and give honor to their wives – 1 Peter 3:7
a. Understanding their delicate nature
b. Honoring them as heirs together of the grace of life
B. DUTIES OF THE FATHER…
1. To provide the necessities of life – 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy 5:8
a. Parents ought to provide for their children
b. A man who fails to do so is worse than an infidel
2. Not to provoke the children to wrath – Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21
a. That is, by unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the manifestation of anger
b. Lest, by your continually finding fault with them, they should lose all courage, and despair of ever pleasing you
3. To provide for spiritual training of the children – Ephesians 6:4
a. Bringing them up in the training (discipline, Ephesians 6:4 ESV) of the Lord
b. Bringing them up in the admonition (instruction, Ephesians 6:4 ESV) of the Lord
4. To provide loving discipline as necessary – Hebrews 12:6-11; Proverbs 13:24
a. Even as our Heavenly Father disciplines His children
b. Though it may be unpleasant at the moment
[Such are familial responsibilities of Christian men as husbands and fathers. Now let’s consider…]
II. THE CHRISTIAN AS WIFE AND MOTHER
A. DUTIES OF THE WIFE…
1. Wives are to submit to their husbands – Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-2
a. As to the Lord, as is fitting in the Lord
b. In everything, as the church is subject to Christ
2. Wives are to respect and love their husbands – Ephesians 5:33; Titus 2:4
a. Not just to submit, but to do so with respect and love for their husbands
b. Which older women should teach the younger women
B. DUTIES OF THE MOTHER…
1. To love their children – Titus 2:4
a. Which ought to be natural
b. Yet sin can lead to a lack of proper affection – cf. Romans 1:31
2. To manage the household – Titus 2:5; 1 Timothy 5:14
a. The primary responsibility of the wife and mother
b. Though a woman may also engage in activities outside the home – cf. Proverbs 31:10-31
3. To provide spiritual training when male leadership is lacking – 2 Timothy 1:5; cf. Acts 16:1
a. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were believers
b. Evidently his father was not, which is too often the case today
[Such are the duties of Christian women as wives and mothers. Next let’s take a look at…]
III. THE CHRISTIAN AS CHILD AND SINGLE
A. DUTIES OF CHILDREN…
1. To obey their parents – Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20
a. In the Lord, for this is right
b. In all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord
2. To honor their parents – Ephesians 6:2-3
a. The first commandment with promise – cf. Exodus 20:12
b. By providing for their welfare in later years – cf. 1 Timothy 5:4, 8, 16
B. DUTIES OF THE SINGLE CHRISTIAN…
1. To utilize the advantage of being single – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
a. Use your freedom to increase your service to God
b. Don’t be selfish with the extra time and freedom you have
c. Don’t begrudge others who may not do as much as you because of their other responsibilities (e.g., children, spouse)
2. To watch out for the dangers of being single – cf. Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
a. Temptation – make an effort to develop a close relationship with the Lord
b. Loneliness – accept invitations to be with others, initiate opportunities to be with others
c. Self-centeredness – offer yourself in service to others; be flexible
3. To remember that you are in the family of God – Mark 10:29-30
a. You have many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children
b. Make the effort to develop and utilize these relationships
[Finally, some remarks regarding discipleship as it relates to our familial relationships…]
IV. THE CHRISTIAN AS DISCIPLE
A. PUTTING THE LORD BEFORE THE FAMILY…
1. Of course, we are to love our parents, spouses and children
2. Yet our love for the Lord must come first – Matthew 10:34-37; 12: 46-50
a. Otherwise we are not worthy to be called His disciple
b. Only then will Jesus view us as members of His family
3. By putting God and His kingdom first, our families will benefit more – cf. Matthew 6:33
a. God’s providence will help provide for our families’ needs
b. We will also be better parents, spouses and children by following Jesus
B. PRESENTING THE LORD TO THE FAMILY…
1. By way of example – cf. 1 Peter 3:1-2
a. So wives were to influence their unbelieving husbands
b. So we can influence other unbelieving members of the family
2. By way of instruction – cf. Ephesians 6:4
a. So fathers were to instruct their children
b. So we can teach other members of the family
Conclusion
1. The nuclear family is a wonderful blessing, intended by God to consist of…
a. Husbands and wives who love and respect one another
b. Parents who love and discipline their children
c. Children who honor and obey their parents
2. As Christians, our familial duties are clear…
a. Whether as husbands or wives
b. Whether as parents or children
c. Whether as married or single
3. May our faith in Christ lead us to be the best spouses and parents, the best children and singles, we can possibly be
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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