Family Matters: Walk In Love (Father’s Day)
Ephesians 5:1,2; Proverbs 13:22
Pr Tan Moy How | 18/19 June 2022
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## A. INTRO

It’s never too late when God is in the picture to be a better father.


## Big Idea: “Fathers, bring your children up in the ________ and _________ of the Lord.” ##


“Truth without relationships lead to rejection, rules without relationships lead to rebellion, discipline without relationship leads to bitterness, anger and resentment.” 
~ Josh McDowell


## B. CONTENT

* 7 things the Scripture reminds of being a better father:

# 1. Be the first _________

(Proverbs 22:6, ESV) “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV) “6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.” 
 
# 2. Be a good _________ 

(2 Corinthians 3:2-3) “2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

* A good Exemplar is an obedient doer of God’s Word.

(James 1:22) “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

(Philippians 4:9) “Whatever you have learned or received or heard, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

(Psalm 16:8) “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

# 3. Be a _________ 

(1 Timothy 5:8) “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

(Matthew 7:11) “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

# 4. Be a ___________ in love

(Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV) “1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

* Love is spelt T.I.M.E.

# 5. Be a __________ 

(Hebrews 12:6, GNT) “Because the Lord corrects everyone He loves, and punishes everyone He accepts as a child.”

(Proverbs 13:24b) “…the one who loves their children, is careful to discipline them.”

# 6. Be a “_______”
  
* King David prayed for his son, Solomon.

(1 Chronicles 29:19) “And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” 

(John 16:24) “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” 

# 7. Be a __________ 

(Genesis 12:3) “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

* Not only be a blessor, be a forgiver as well.

(Proverbs 13:22, ESV) “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

## C. CONCLUSION

(2 Corinthians 5:14) For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

* “Sunecho” means…

> forces motion, in moving forward

> keeps the enemy at bay, and negativity away

> does not give up, presses on.

* Fathers, let the love of Christ “sunecho” you


## “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” 
       ~ Billy Graham