June 18th, 2000, Father's Day Sunday Evening

"The Measure of a Man"
part 2
God's blueprint for true manhood

OPENING: Isaiah 46:8,9, KJV


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Today, men are not only degraded as second-in-command of their household, but increasing numbers are trying to "get in touch with their feminine side." What they should be getting in touch with is God.

Men are simulating being pregnant and nursing babies (i.e., Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a pregnant man in the movie "Junior").

Ephesians 6:4: Men should be involved of all aspects of their child: playtime, instruction, and discipline.

Satan likes to begin his attack "in the home." He wants men to have a free and loose lifestyle... and he is winning.

Ephesians 5:23: This verse is the antithesis of the feminist movement. Men--specifically the husband--is not only the head of the house but head of his wife. The "head" is in the position to see and make the decisions.

Now let us digress, temporarily, and discuss the importance of fathers

• The father produces an influence--be it good or evil.
  
  
• 1 Kings 9:4: David was a man after God's heart. He was a follower of God's Word and an example to us all. But David, who was king of Israel and a father, had faults just like the rest of us. But what separated him from many men today is that the very moment he was confronted with his sin, he admitted it and held himself accountable and was sorry to the point he cried rivers.
  
  
• 2 Chronicles 26:4-5: The greatest positive influence a father can have on his son is to instruct his son to worship and follow God's word. The result of this action is in verse 5.
  
  
• Conversely, the biggest tragedy a father could have on his son/daughter is to teach them evil. Verse 53 is the outcome of this inheritance.
  
  
  • 1 Kings 22:52-53
  • Jeremiah 9:14:
  
  
• Fathers need to stop and consider their influence on not only the children but his wife.
  
  
  • Deuteronomy 6:7: This verse says children need to be provided instruction in the home--and not just at the dinner table. If a dad truly loves his family, dad will fast for them, pray for them, and be the first to roust them for church. Dads are charged by God to teach the way to salvation. They must not only teach it, they must show it in their lifestyle and be an example of it outside the home as well as inside.
    
    
  • Proverbs 22:6: Read this verse and then consider how much more time people spend training animals (i.e., circus) than their own children. This verse guarantees if you train your child, he will not forget the lessons he/she has learned.
    
    
  • 2 Timothy 3:1-5: PROPHECY COME TRUE . This verse is God's indictment upon ungodly men and fathers. We're seeing the exact characteristics of these men today. Examine verse 5. It means men who believe they're so important they can tell us what we should do but not, themselves, believing God's Word. (i.e., Ted Koppel and Geraldo Rivera get to tell us their belief of what is right and wrong for us.)
    
    
  • Proverbs 18:22: The Lord is pleased that a MAN joins with a WOMAN to make her his wife.
    
    
  • Proverbs 29:15: Translation: men are needed to provide physical punishment. Else if the child is not corrected, the mother is shamed. If the mother says otherwise, then she is contradicting the bible and she is a liar.
    
    
    • Proverbs 19:18: Again, the bible reiterates what the world calls child abuse today--your child must be physically punished to ensure correction.
      
      
    • Proverbs 22:15: All children are "born into sin." And as such, foolishness will manifest in them as they grow. This verse reiterates that physical punishment must be utilized to remove the wicked growth.
      
      
    • Proverbs 23:13-14: A SOBERING MESSAGE FOR FATHERS: physical punishment will prevent the child from falling into hell. The child will not die! The child's body was built to withstand constant whippings!
      
      
    • Proverbs 13:24: Results of not physically correcting your child. Do we not see plenty of this today?
      
      
    • 1 Kings 2:2: Verse says, "be strong." Therefore, don't "baby" your sons. They're built to stand the whipping.
  
  Isaiah 46:8-9: These are the ingredients of a godly man-- remembering "the days of old." The "days of old" refers to traditional, conservative Christian values. Be manly--no feminine invitations!
  
  
• Job 40:7: "Gird up thy loins" means quit whining and be a man. Have courage! Men and fathers must possess courage, convictions, command, compassion, and integrity.
  
  
• Proverbs 20:7: The fruits a father will bear for leading a life of integrity.
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 12:14: The father (and mother) must not be dependent ("lay up") upon the children but rather the children be dependent upon the parents.
  
  
• 1 Timothy 5:8: Fathers should love and enjoy providing for the family. If a father truly loves his family, he would want to protect them materially, emotionally, and spiritually. If he doesn't provide for the family, he is "worse than an infidel."
  
  
• A father must provide for the family, protect the family, and be the error corrector in the family.
  
  
• Hebrews 12:5-7: When you're rebuked or corrected by someone (especially God), do not quit the fight or leave. Punishment from family or God is not his His pleasure but for your profit.
  
  
• 1 Timothy 3:4: The man is supposed to have control of his family just as he controls the steering wheel of his vehicle.
  
  
• The Father is the preserver of the family; If a harmful element is introduced, the father must use force to preserve it--even if that means shedding blood.

CLOSER

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Isaiah 46:8,9: This is the message of invitation from God to all men to remind them to remember the "former things of old" as explained above. Just as the Israelites forgot how God parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21,22), we can easily forget how:

• God bails us out of personal troubles
• God forgave us of our sins through the death of His Son
• How lonely it used to be without your wife

So take God's blueprints for man and compare them to the walls of your house. And if you find a wall that doesn't match your blueprint, tear it down and throw it away. The challenge is to return and repent.

Genesis 2:18: And a challenge to all wives: God made you to be "an help meet" for your husband. You are custom made in that you are able to help meet his needs. Don't try to change your husband.

• Don't boss or belittle him
• Support him
• Respect and pray for him
• And remember you're his wife not his mom. He is the head of this house. You help meet his need and he has the final decision.

Genesis 2:25: Between the husband and wife, there are no secrets and they are not ashamed of each other.