Prioritizing Fatherhood (Job 1.1-5) - 6-18-23

June 18, 2023Job 1.1-5 and Ephesians 6.1-4Prioritizing FatherhoodHappy Father’s Day. Father’s Day should not just be a recognition of biological fathers, but a recognition and celebration of also father and father figures who stood in the gap. And of course, we should honor our heavenly Father.I. Godly fathers prioritize personal piety. (Job 1.1)a. Christian fathers demonstrate their faith by letting the Holy Spirit conform them into the image of Christ. Then it shows up in their actions… their fruit.b. A pious father understands they must be good followers of Christ if they want their family to follow their lead. Be the example!II. Godly fathers prioritize productive patterns. (Job1.2-4)a. I believe Job thought if his family could be in unity, they could more effectively get along with others outside of the family. They celebrated each other.b. Our offspring observe the way we handle difficult situations including how we treat their mother and how we treat them. Are we providing a productive pattern for them to follow?III. Godly fathers prioritize persistent parental prayer. (Job 1.5)a. Note that many, if not all, of Job’s sons are grown, with their own households. They are of age and can pray for themselves.b. But Job was the patriarch who served as priest of the family and continued to pray on behalf of the family.c. Jas 5:16b NLT The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.Conclusion: Fathers and father figures, let’s you and I commit to prioritizing personal piety (led by the Holy Spirit), prioritizing productive patterns of behavior (setting good examples), and prioritizing persistent parental prayers (keeping our families spiritually covered).So let’s thank God again for the good fathers and father figures. And let’s also thank Him for delivering us from ungodly fathers and father figures. Amen.