2. Being a Good Father -- Zac Poonen -- August 31, 2022
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/being-a-good-father River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker argues that biblical examples of great men like Moses, Samuel, and David serve as warnings regarding fatherly failure. He points to instances where these leaders failed to properly guide or discern the spiritual lives of their sons, leading to corruption and idolatry. The central message is that even spiritually gifted individuals can fail in their role as fathers, emphasizing the need for vigilance in raising the next generation.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The first example of a woman taking overAdam's passivity while Eve spoke with the devil in the garden is cited as an early example of role reversal that led to sin.
Moses and Samuel as fathersDespite being great men of God and prayer warriors, both Moses and Samuel failed to properly lead and discipline their families.
Hezekiah's extended life and ManassehHezekiah prayed for fifteen more years of life, during which his son Manasseh was born—who grew up to do great evil in the sight of the Lord.
Qualifications for elders in the New CovenantNew Testament standards explicitly require an overseer to manage his own family well and keep his children under control.
Train up a child in the way he should goProverbs 22:6 is a promise based on the condition of actively training a child, utilizing both the rod of discipline and parental guidance.
Titus and the requirement of believing childrenPaul instructs Titus to appoint elders who have children who are believers and not accused of dissipation or rebellion.Titus 1:5–6
Instructions from Ephesians on raising childrenFathers are commanded not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.Ephesians 6:1–4
Timothy's sincere faith from his mother and grandmotherTimothy received a genuine faith through his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, demonstrating the power of a mother's faithful witness when a father is absent.2 Timothy 1:5
Turning the hearts of fathers to the childrenMalachi prophesies that the initiative must come from fathers turning their hearts toward their children to restore proper relationships.
Asking God for wisdom in parentingJames promises that if any parent lacks wisdom, they can ask God in faith, and He will give it generously without reproach.James 1:5
