The Four Fathers In My Life

"MY FOUR FATHERS"
PROVERBS 4: 1-5

Intro: "The Less The Merrier, and Return to Sender"
Marty and his wife were excited about their evening out. Before they could go anywhere, Marty took his 10-year-old son to his grandmother's house. As Marty was walking out the door, his Mother asked, "When do you want to come pick him up?" Without missing a step, Marty said, "Bring him home when he's 18."
Though there is certainly humor to be found in this story, there is likewise a very important message. That message is that being a father is harder than it looks. Many men come to fatherhood with the mistaken impression that their wives will do all the work, and they can set back and watch the results. However, this is not the case. Today, more than ever, children need strong fathers. Today, more than ever, children need dads who are ready to serve as roll models. Recent statistics show that more than 40% of all children will go to bed tonight without their father's being present.
I have been so blessed throughout my life to have strong male roll models. While I am slowly learning what it means to be a father myself, I can without hesitation say that it is because of the four fathers in my life that I am the dad I am today.
This morning, we want to take a few moments to honor our fathers. We honor both those who have moved on from this present world, as well as those who are still with us. I hope you will allow me to share with you the, "FOUR FATHERS IN MY LIFE." I want to take a moment and share with you the lessons, which they have taught me over the years. I hope that you who are fathers can take some lesson from something that is said today. As for those who are not fathers, perhaps you can better understand the difficult task which Dads face each and every day.

I MY FATHER

1. There are so many lessons, which my dad has taught me during my life.
A. The most important of these lessons to me is that being a great dad takes time and sacrifice.
2. At no time in my life did my dad teach this lesson any better than in 1993-1995.
A. While attending the school for the blind, I began running track.
B. My dad came to some of my meets my first year which was 1992.
C. By the summer of 93, he had decided that he would like to run with me.
D. So, he took time away from the farm and all the other things he had to do, and would run 5k races with me all summer long.
E. Step by step, and mile after mile, he was right there at my side telling me where to go, and providing encouragement for me to finish the race.
3. This is a lesson which each of us could still learn from today.
A. Work is nice, and as for playtime that goes twice, but time spent with your family cannot be beat!
B. Gen 37: 34-35 Jacob wept because he thought his son was dead, and that thought hurt him because he wouldn't have the chance to spend any time with him.
C. Gen 46: 29 even when they were reunited, Israel wept because of time lost.
D. Jam 4: 13 life is so very short, even though you might not get to all the things you want to do, make sure to spend time with those you care about regardless of the sacrifice.
E. Remember, the best gift you can give your children is your time.

II MY GRANDFATHER

1. If someone were to ask me, "What is the greatest lesson your grandfather ever taught you?" My answer might surprise them.
A. My grandfather, or B.B, has taught me that it is okay to give or receive a hug, or even to say I love you.
2. No matter how old I am, he continues to teach me this important lesson.
A. When I was a child, he held me in his lap.
B. When I was a teenager, he opened his arms to me.
C. Even now, when I am 31, and a dad myself, he will still say I love you each time we get off the phone.
3. Time and time again, we see in scripture the effects of a physical touch.
A. Matt 8: 3 the touch that lightens the burden of illness.
B. Matt 17: 7 the touch that offers courage in the face of fear.
C. Take time to give a hug, or to say I love you. There is no shame in showing that you care.

III MY FATHER-IN-LAW

1. There are some who might say, "Why would you include your father-in-law in this lesson?"
A. I include him because he has also made a great contribution to shaping me into the man I am today.
B. I have known John for just over three years, and in that time, he has also taught me a great lesson.
C. The lesson, which he has taught me, is that it is important to live that which you preach.
2. Time and time again, he has been a great example of what a Christian should be.
A. He encourages me to spend time with my child, and I can see him doing the same thing.
B. He tells me to try to understand the other point of view, and I see him doing the same thing.
C. He tells me to rely upon God for everything in my life, and I see him doing the same thing.
3. What a wonderful pattern for how to be an example to the world!
A. Mt 20: 28 if I tell someone to serve, then I should serve as well!
B. 1Thess 5: 17 if I tell someone to pray, then I should pray as well!
C. 1Th 1: 7 likewise, we should all be examples to all men!

IV MY HEAVENLY FATHER

1. We know that above all else, god is our father.
A. Ro 8: 15 he is the Father of salvation!
B. Jam 1: 17 he is the Father of all good gifts!
C. Heb 8: 12 he is the Father of second chances!
D. However, he is also a father who seeks to teach his children.
2. Through the examples of the other three fathers in my life, I have learned how to be more like my Heavenly Father!
A. Jn 3: 16 from my Dad, as with my God, I have learned to give of myself to those whom I love!
B. Ro 5: 8 from my grandfather, as from my god, I have learned to show my love for my family, even in times when they might not deserve it!
C. Eph 5: 1 from John, as from my God, I have learned to be an example in all things!