1Thessalonians 2:10-13
You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Introduction
Today is Father’s Day! Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers, Grandfathers, and Great-Grandfathers. I am going to break Reunion tradition and actually share a traditional Father’s Day teaching. My teaching today is titled “The Generational Influence of Faithful Fathers.” Not too difficult to see where that’s headed, nonetheless let’s started. I would like to begin with a question.
“As a father, would you rather pass on your genetic DNA or spiritual DNA to your children?”
I will define genetic DNA as your biological and genetic imprint, expressed in looks, traits, and dispositions. I will define spiritual DNA as your faith in God, expressed in values, beliefs, and behavior. With that in mind, let’s ask again.
“As a father, would you rather pass on your genetic DNA or spiritual DNA to your children?”
Some of you are sharper than others give you credit for, and so you probably answered the question as “both.” Bravo! However, the point is, if you could only pass on only one or the other – which would it be? Place your answer securely in your mental vault and let’s move on for now.
Content
The essential elements of generational influence should be understood as one the greatest opportunities of a father’s lifetime. What that means is this:
“The right and righteous influence of your child is your priority, and should be desired above almost every other fatherly duty, responsibility or expectation.”
Influence, is by far the greatest and most desired form of leadership. The truth is, fathers are always generationally influencing their children – for good or bad – always influencing. Actions, attitudes, passions, patterns, character, conscious and cognitive thinking (campos mentis; control of thought and choice), are all part of the father’s influence bundle.
Proverbs 12:8
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
This is a sobering and awesome responsibility. One that God has placed great value and significance in. The Bible itself is a vast collection of the generational influence of fathers and patriarchs on their offspring. The Old Testament is completely traceable because of the conscious cultural and religious priority of the Jewish people to protect and preserve family and national lineages through covenant and Mosaic law. The New Testament continues the same intent through faith in God belief in Christ Jesus, and the ideas and principles of righteous and holy living.
Deuteronomy 4:9-11
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’
Psalms 103:17-18
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
2 Timothy 2:1-3
You then, my child (Timothy), be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Convergence, Mission and Outcome
So fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers, your mission should you choose to accept is to fulfill this life-long and high calling of generational influence on your children and your children’s children. You might ask…
“Where does my efforts, priorities and faith converge to achieve the best outcome for my mission?”
We have a clear example in God’s Word to answer that any many more good questions like that one. Among the hundreds of directives, parables, and teachings Jesus gave five very direct and essential commands to point us in the right direction this convergence of effort, priority and faith.
ONE – I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.
TWO – Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (disciples).
THREE – You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
FOUR – You are the salt of the earth. Salt is good, but if it has lost its taste, then it is no longer good. It is thrown away.
FIVE – If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
These five commands of Jesus, tell us as faithful fathers where to put our efforts, priorities, and our faith. This will lead us to the desired outcome of our mission of rightful and righteous generational influence.
Conclusion and Committal
It is critically important that we do not see the calling of generational influence as an obligation or curse. We must see the high calling of generational influence as an opportunity and blessing. The greatest opportunity and the richest blessing. Faithful fathers… the opportunity to influence generations through our children and our children’s children is the opportunity for our life to be meaningful, relevant, respected and loved. It is the opportunity to do our best and to give our best and for it to become a legendary legacy of honor and glory to God. Faithful fathers – commit your time talent and treasure to this and you will never regret a day, minute, or moment of your life lived.
Closers
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Eggs and Salt
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Baton and Bible
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Generational Perfect Storm
