How Can I Be The Right Kind Of Father?

	By Garry Knighton Church of Christ/North - Shreveport, La.
	HOW CAN I BE THE RIGHT KIND OF FATHER?

INTRODUCTION:
- The question that should be on every father's heart today is "How can I be the right kind of father?"
- All of us should want to be the right kind of father.
- Fathers play an important role in life.
  - God almost always spoke to men when He wanted action.
    - Adam - although sinned first.
    - Abraham - although Sarah was just as important.
    - Moses - symbol of authority.
    - Elders, deacons, preachers - men.
- Today, let's notice three ways that will help us to be the right kind of fathers.

BY WALKING UPRIGHTLY BEFORE MY FAMILY.

In my faith.
- They must SEE my faith in action.
- Like Abraham - his family SAW his faith.
  - Genesis 12:1-3.
- Faith must have works to be seen.
  - James 2:14-26.
In my actions.
- Colossians 3:17-4:1.
- Every move that we make should be worship to the Lord.
In my speech.
- Ephesians 4:29 - "...and let no corrupt speech..."
- Colossians 4:6.
- Titus 2:7-8.
In my total service to God.
- Let the family see that your objective is to glorify God.
- Matthew 6:33 - "Seek ye first..."

Poem: "Walk A Little Plainer Daddy"
WALK A LITTLE PLAINER DADDY

Walk a little plainer, daddy,
   Said a little boy so frail;
I'm following in your footsteps,
   And I don't want to fail.
Sometimes your steps are very plain,
   Sometimes they are hard to see;
So walk a little plainer, daddy,
   For you are leading me.

I know that once you walked this way,
   Many years ago,
And what you did along this way,
   I'd really like to know.
For sometimes when I am tempted,
   I don't know what to do.
So walk a little plainer, daddy,
   For I must follow you.

Some day when I've grown up,
   You are like I want to be;
Then I will have a little boy,
   Who will want to follow me.
And I would want to lead him right
   And help him to be true;
So, please walk a little plainer, daddy,
   For I must follow you!

BY MOULDING MY FAMILY INTO WHAT GOD WANTS THEM TO BE.

I have the power:
- Because I am the HEAD of the house.
  - I Corinthians 11:3 - sphere of authority.
    - God, Christ, man, woman.
- Because their instruction lies in my hands.
  - Deuteronomy 6:4-12.
I must use my power wisely.

Poem: "Moulders"
MOULDERS

I took a piece of plastic clay,
   And idly fashioned it one day,
And as my fingers pressed it still,
   It moulded, yielded to my will.

I came again when days were past,
   The bit of clay was hard at last,
The form I gave it, still it bore,
   And I could change that form no more.

A far more precious thing than clay,
   I gently formed from day to day,
And moulded with God's power and art,
   A young child's soft and yielding heart.

I came again when years were gone,
   It was a man I looked upon;
He still that early impression wore,
   And man could change him nevermore.

BY GROWING INTO A MAN THAT WOULD GLORIFY GOD.
- Growing in holiness.
  - A mark of a N.T. Christian.
  - Holiness or Sanctification is also progressive.
  - II Corinthians 7:1.
  - I Timothy 6:11 - "Follow after righteousness..."
- Growing in knowledge.
  - Isaiah 5:13 - taken captive.
  - Ephesians 4:11-13 - knowledge of Christ.
  - II Peter 1:5-6.
  - I Peter 3:15 - be ready.
  - If the father is growing in knowledge, leading his family as it should
    be, the family will grow.
- Growing in wisdom.
  - Wisdom is the application of knowledge.
    - Because a person is smart does not mean that he is wise.
    - Example: I Corinthians 1, 2, 3.
  - Wisdom comes only from God - James 1:5.
- Growing in dependence upon God.
  - Family must see that we get our strength outside our own selves.
  - Jeremiah 10:23 - "...not in man..."
  - Constant reference should be made to depending on God.
- Growing in Salvation (and leading the family).
  - Salvation is initial and progressive.
  - Philippians 3:12-16.

CONCLUSION:

Have you been the right kind of father?
Have you been the spiritual leader in your family?
If your family were to follow you, would they get to heaven?
Let's be what God wants us to be!

Poem: "In Daddy's Steps"
IN DADDY'S STEPS

I watched him playing 'round my door,
   My neighbor's little boy of four.
I wondered why a child would choose
   To wear his dad's old worn out shoes.

I saw him try with all his might
   To make the laces snug and tight.
I smiled to see him walk and then,
   He'd only step right out.

I heard him say, his voice was glad,
   "I want to be just like my dad."
I hoped his dad his steps would choose
   Safe for his son to wear his shoes.

And then a shout and cry of joy,
   A "Hello, Dad," and a "Hi-ya, Boy,"
They walked along in measured stride,
   Each face aglow with love and pride.

"What have you done today, my lad?"
   "I tried to wear your old shoes, dad.
They're big, but when I'm a man
   I'll wear your shoes, I know I can."

They stopped and stood there hand in hand;
   He saw his son's tracks in the sand.
His words, a prayer, came back to me,
   "Lord, let my steps lead him to thee!"

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