Five Facts for Fine Fathers

Proverbs 20:3-7  “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”

These are strong words to challenge us fathers to be a godly father.  We fathers need to be warm and attentive and not loose the perspective that our greatest gift and what we will ultimately be remembered by is our children.

Recently I came across the Nelson Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook and it had a sermon outline to be used on fathers day.  I would like for you fathers to review it on this day set aside for you, Father’s Day 2003.

Introduction: Though our culture is in moral freefall, God has given children someone whose power and prestige is greater than all the influences of society put together. One person, more than any other, can make a difference in a young person’s life: his or her father. The importance of a godly dad can’t be overstated. But how do we become warm and attentive fathers? How can we improve our parenting skills? In our passage today, we find five facts for fine fathers. A good dad must be:

1.      A Patient Man (v. 3 ). A wise father must be patient. Keil and Delitzsch translate this verse: “It is an honor for a man to remain far from strife; but every fool shows his teeth.” Have you ever been around an irritable dog that growled and showed its teeth? By the same token, have you ever been around an easily irritated dad who is always growling at his kids? A good dad cultivates a pleasant, patient, positive personality. None of us is totally unflappable, but it often helps to memorize Scripture. When you feel yourself getting angry, instead of cursing or counting to ten, try saying one of these verses to yourself: Ephesians 6:4 , Proverbs 15:1 , Proverbs 29:11 —or Proverbs 20:3 . Make up your mind to be patient, and learn to make a strategic exit whenever you find yourself losing control. Ask God to help you control your temper, and learn to smile more at your children.

2.      A Hard Worker (v. 4 ). A good father is also a hard-working man, not lazy nor a sluggard. One of the causes of maladjusted, troubled children have been fathers that were too passive, and one of the characteristics of weak, passive fathers is laziness. I’m talking about the man who drags home from work, flops in front of a television, pops open a beer, and stays there all night. That man is setting a sad example for his children. The world is lost, the work of the church is great, the days are short, the opportunities are big. The Bible tells us to redeem the time, because the days are evil. A good dad is a diligent man whose schedule includes time for his wife and children.

3.      A Good Listener (v. 5 ). A good dad is also a good listener. For our purposes today, we can paraphrase verse 5 to say: “The thoughts in a child’s heart are like deep waters, but an understanding father draws them out.” A child’s heart is not a spigot, but a well. Good conversation can’t be turned on and off at will, you’ve got to let it bubble up. In other words, parents can’t just sit down with their children (especially their teens) and say, “Let’s talk.” We’ve got to spend time together in a relaxed setting, giving our children lots of informal opportunities to open up.

4.      A Faithful Friend (v. 6 ). A good dad is also a faithful friend. A lot of men say, “I love my wife, and I love my children.” But does he take time to be with them? Does he meet their emotional needs? Is he their companion? Does he confide to them his thoughts and feelings? Does he fulfill his role as spiritual leader of the household? Is he really faithful before God?

5.      A Righteous Soul (v. 7 ). A good dad is a righteous man. He leads a blameless life of high character and caliber. He is committed to Jesus Christ, to His Word, to prayer, and to His church. He is honest, modeling integrity for his children.

Conclusion: The promise at the end of verse 7 says that the children of such a man will be blessed. Happy is the child whose father is a patient man, a hard worker, a good listener, a faithful friend, and a righteous soul. Happy are the children of the dad whose God is the Lord.^[1]