Seven P’s of Fathering

[This recap is from the sermon June 18, 2023]

From yesterday’s sermon…

P #1. Procreation – if you can, within God’s limits and by God’s provision, have children – any number (2, 4, 6 or 8 – YEAH!).  We remember God’s position on children: “…children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them,” Psalm 127:3-5. They are a reward!

If no children or few children or children gone – still be much about children.  Be excited for and involved with children.  Be supportive of young families.  Adopt a child – a family – a mom.

P’s # 2-6.  John 10:27-28, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

“hear my voice” – purify

“know them” – promote

“follow me” – precede

“give life” – provide

“never perish” – protect

P #2. Purify.  A child needs to hear a father’s voice about life, values, God’s will, Jesus’ teachings, sinning and forgiving and being forgiven.  A father knows that his child is bent toward self, rebellion and sin from their very first days.  A father early and often teaches and talks about doing right and how to be right.  A father says “No” and helps a child “fix” their sins.

P #3. Promote.  In order to promote a child, the father needs to know the child which comes from quality time with the child to grasp their strengths and weaknesses (no two children are alike except at three core points – in the image of God, sinners needing Jesus, and facing death).  A father promotes a child by encouraging their good bents and addressing the bad bents! Every child needs the blessing of their father.  That is, every child needs to know they are loved unconditionally and that their father is deeply committed to their success and well-being.

P #4. Precede.  To precede is to lead, to take the point, to set the pace.   A father is to be the head of the family and child in all aspects of life – especially in spiritual things.  The father needs to show and tell Jesus who is the only way to a right relationship with God and to eternity with God, the truth – the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and the fountain of life.  A father needs to not only be a passionate Sunday morning leader but a spiritual leader every day of the week.  The father needs to lead in prayers, singing, studying God and His word, memorizing, reading good books and listening to good podcasts.

P #5. Provide.  A good father provides for life: all the essentials for a safe and prosperous life. Thus food and shelter, resources for discovery and learning and protections from addictions (screens) and wrong influences.  Part of providing is restricting or restraining and putting good things into those vacated slots. Providing is giving life: purpose, vision, example and JESUS!

P #6. Protect.  To protect is to realize there are things out to steal a child’s heart, head and allegiance.  A good father guards the door to the home and to the heart.  A good father is before God the Father constantly asking for wisdom and strength that their child will not now or ever become captured by evil, self or indifference. A good father is wise to evil and active in addressing it!

P #7. Prepare.  Prepare children for their Resurrection (their graduation into eternal life).  To prepare them for adulthood?  Yes and No!  To prepare them for success at work and play?  Yes and No! To prepare them for marriage and family?  Yes and No!  To prepare them to be assets to others?  Yes and No!  Yes – all these are valuable and should be goals, but “No” in that they are all secondary to the one goal that is most important – that they are prepared for their resurrection to an eternal body of flesh that will stand before God to be sent to either the right or the left based on their doings in this life.  What too many people and even Christians do is believe that doing is primarily do this, don’t do that, do church, do evangelism, do charity things, don’t gossip, do good, etc.  While these are a part – they are the follow-up part, the second step.  To just do these is to make moralists but NOT Christians (Luke 15:28-29).  What is foremost is to glorify God and enjoy Him.  Jesus came to bridge the gap from sinful man to a holy God – Jesus came to give us God!  For those truly saved, God is life, purpose, critical, beautiful, wonderful and awesome (we should be aweful before God – full of awe).  Preps for resurrection is to worship, exalt, adore and love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and body NOW (Mark 12:30).  It is also to serve God by doing as Jesus amidst enemies – be a faithful ambassador (Ephesians 2:10, 6:19-20).  Fear and obey!!