Raising Your Kids ~ Father's Day

June 18, 2006 AM

Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church 

The Word can’t change the want to, but it can equip us to be the best parents we can be.

Genesis 12:2 ~ God says to Abraham: 

“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. NIV 

In this short verse are three spiritual applications about parenting. 

1.  Blessed

2.  Great Name

3.  Blessing to Others

The first Chair represents Position or Title.    

Eli: 1 Samuel 1:3, 2:12, 25, 3:13

Eli was a dad in position only. By name only not by action. 

To be more than a dad by name will take some wasted days that. In the big picture, are not really wasted at all!

The Second Chair represents - Authority   

Mary and Joseph Luke 2:45 - 52

Maybe you didn’t think Jesus needed to be parented ~ But Mary & Joseph moved from simply being blessed to exercising proper parental authority. 

The results…  vs. 51  He was obedient to them and vs. 52 He grew!

Too many parents want to enjoy the blessing of a relationship without the work of authority.  

You’re name will not be great in your kids eyes if you don’t sit in the chair of authority!!!

Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife 

Is your impact done?

The Third Chair represents Influence - You will be a blessing –(Benediction)

Abraham Genesis 25:21 

Abraham was a blessing to others – Yes he had Position and Authority but more important he passed something on… 

Even after his death Abraham was still sitting in the chair of influence.  

Psalm 45:16-17   Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.  I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.

Philippians 2: 13  for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.