Father’s Day 2005

What Men Are to Love

Deuteronomy 6:5-9; 11:1

 

INTRO: The Word of God places great responsibilities on men.

Men are commanded to lead their homes in a way that will please the Lord God of heaven.

Can it be said of your what was said of Abraham?  God said: “I know him [Abraham], that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord” (Gen 18:19).

The man is the head of the house, and he is responsible for those who are under his roof.

One of the greatest responsibilities that men have is to love.

 

I.          LOVE YOUR CHILDREN

A.       I cannot understand a man who does not love his children, who does not love his own flesh and blood.

B.       We are to love our children and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).

1. “Bring them up” 9s the same Greek word translated “nourisheth” in Eph 5:29.

a. The Christian Dad is to nourish his children by loving them and encouraging them in the Lord.  He is to do so by right action.

b. Children need not only the nourishment, nurture, of food, shelter, and clothing.  They need love; they need to be nourished emotionally and spiritually.  We need to kiss their scratches and listen to their heartaches.

c. “Admonition”– Greek nouthesia– “the training by word, whether of encouragement or if necessary by reproof or remonstrance.”  Children want rules and boundaries.  Give them to them.

2. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.”

a. You can discourage your children by saying one thing and doing another thing.  The saying,  “Do as I say not as I do” is hog wash.

b. Fathers are not to use their God given authority to abuse their children.

c. Fathers need to encourage not discourage, to build up not tear down.  Don’t say things like: “You’ll never amount to a hill of beans.”

d. Don’t exasperate your children.  Don’t make them angry individuals.  Praise your children.  Keep your promises.  Don’t be hard; be sensitive.

 

II.          LOVE YOUR WIFE

A.       Men are commanded and commended to love their wives.  Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.”  That, my friend, is great love!

1. “If the husband makes Christ’s love for the church the pattern for loving his wife, then he will love her sacrificially (vs 25).”

2. Ephesians 5:25-28 tells us not only of sacrificial love.  It tells us of sanctifying love.

a. Set apart for each other without another interfering.

b. To have a good home, man and wife must be set apart from the world.  When this happens, God’s will and His Word will rule in all matters.

B.       Colossians 3:19, “Husbands love your wives and be not bitter against them.”

1. Christ loves the church although it is not perfect.  He forgives her members and has never become bitter over her shortcomings.

2. Husbands are to continue to love with divine agape love.  Happy homes are built over time.

3. Loving husbands will not bully their wives.  They will not speak harshly using cutting words and actions.

4. Don’t let a root of bitterness spring up (Heb 12:15; Eph 4:31-32).  We don’t need a bitter taste in our homes.

 

III.          LOVE THE BIBLE

A.       The number one book in the home of every Christian man should be the Bible.

B.       We are to love God’s Word (Psa 119:97, 159).

C.      We are to delight in the Word (Psa 119:16, 24, 35, 47).

D.      Prize God’s Word (Psa 119:72, 127).

 

IV.          LOVE THE LORD