A God-fearing Father

Deuteronomy 6:4-15

Introduction

1.      Moses was not a great man until he yielded his obedience to the Word of God at the burning bush

2.      Deuteronomy is the message that he wrote for the people of Israel to sustain them through the difficult times that lay ahead

3.      Chapter 6 tells us what God expected of the Israelite fathers  

Discussion

1.      A god-fearing father is a father who loves God

a.       He loves his wife – Eph 5:25  

b.      He loves his family – 1 Tim 5:8  

c.       He loves his job – 2 Thess 3:10  

d.      He loves his friends – John 15:13  

e.       But above all else, He loves God – Matt 22:37  

2.      A god-fearing father is a father who loves God’s word

a.       He enjoys the time he has for recreation, alone and with his family – Eccl 3:1  

b.      He enjoys TV, reading or music – 1 Tim 4:13  

c.       He always has time for God’s word – Ps 119:97  

3.      A god-fearing father is a father who teaches his sons to obey God

a.       He teaches his son to be responsible – Prov 3:1-6  

b.      He teaches his son to respect women – 1 Peter 3:7  

c.       But above all else, he teaches his son to obey God – Eccl 12:13  

4.      A god-fearing father is a father who does not forget God

a.       He remembers his wife’s birthday and their anniversary  

b.      He remembers to pay his bills – Rom 13:7-8  

c.       He remembers his parents – Eph 6:2  

d.      But above all else, he never forgets to honor God – John 4:24  

Conclusion

1.       Real men are men of faith and love and submission

2.      God is looking for more than a “few good men”

3.      Real manhood is achieved when one bows before the throne of Jesus, confesses his sins to the Lord and seeks the Lord’s forgiveness in baptism – that is when “real” life begins for a “real” man