## Message to the Fatherless

## Psalm 68:4-6

We are all painfully aware of an epidemic in this country of 'deadbeat dads'; men who may have biologically fathered children, but are absent from their lives. We could shrug our shoulders and say, 'Well, that's just the way it is.' But that doesn't change the facts. 'Fatherlessness' affects more than 25,000,000 children, and there is no data on how many children are affected by emotional 'fatherlessness' where dad is still in the home, but he is not emotionally engaged with his child's life! According to recent data, 72.2 % of the U.S. population believes that 'fatherlessness' is the most significant family or social problem facing America. What do you think? Does it really matter?

Children from a fatherless home are:

- 5 times more likely to commit suicide
- 32 times more likely to run away
- 20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders
- 14 times more likely to commit rape
- 9 times more likely to drop out of school
- 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances
- 9 times more likely to end up in a state operated institution
- 20 times more likely to end up in prison

There is no issue in our society that hasn't already been addressed by God in His Word. So today, Fathers' Day, I want to bring a message to the fatherless!

(Psalms 68:4-6) Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

I. God Can Become Your Heavenly Father. v5 "…A father of the fatherless…"

A. Here is hope for the Fatherless

1. Many here have no father at all.

2. Some do not even know where he is on this Father's Day.

3. Others may have a father who is distant and cold.

a. He has very little emotional connection with you.

b. You may see him; you may even live with him, but you're not close to him.

c. There may be many reasons for this.

d. He may be so involved with his career or business that he has no time for you.

e. He may selfishly put his own desires before being a father and has no time for you.

f. It is also possible that he just doesn't know how to be a father. Ex. My Dad

g. Whatever the cause, it doesn't change the fact of being 'fatherless'.

B. Before you were ever born, God knew what you would be dealing with in your life right now!

C. He knows our deepest needs, and He has provided for all of us…even those who are fatherless on this Fathers' Day.

(Psalms 27:10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

1. He desires to be your father today.

2. He has provided the way that you can have the relationship we all so desperately need.

3. All of us were born without God, and without hope in this in this world.

4. But God so loved us…that He gave His only begotten Son.

(Galatians 4:4-5) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

5. We can be adopted into the family of God by faith!

(Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Novelist Ernest Hemingway wrote a short story about a father and his teenaged son. They had a disagreement. The son, whose name was Paco, ran away from home. The father searched desperately through the streets of Madrid, Spain, looking for his son. Finally he put an ad in the newspaper that said, "Dear Paco, meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon. All is forgiven. I love you - Your Father."

At noon eight hundred boys named Paco showed up! All of them wanted to be forgiven by their fathers!

D. This Fathers' Day, you can find forgiveness from your heavenly Father.

1. Would you like to be forgiven by God?

2. Would like to know that you are His child?

3. Come to Jesus Christ by faith and you will be accepted into the family of God!

4. God will become a 'Father of the fatherless'.

II. God Can Give You A Wonderful Family. v6 "God setteth the solitary in families"

A. Family for those who are lonely.

1. The word "solitary" is translated from a Hebrew word that means "desolate or lonely."

2. Many live lives filled with loneliness.

3. Family means different things to different people.

4. There is no need to be lonely anymore.

B. A family is a place where you can belong.

1. When you come to Christ, and get saved, you will have a whole new family

2. Certainly you become a part of the family of God…

3. But you also can become a part of this local church family!

4. We aren't perfect…but what family is?

5. Grace Baptist Temple is a place where you can belong…a place where you can find encouragement in your walk with God.

6. Here we care for one another…we minister to one another…you don't have to be alone!

7. Note the example of the early church.

(Acts 2:41-42) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

III. God Can Give You Freedom. v6 "He bringeth out those which are bound with chains"

A. What kind of freedom?

1. Freedom from present judgment.

(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. Freedom from future judgment.

(John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

3. Freedom from the bondage of sin.

(Rom 6:18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

(Rom 6:22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

4. Freedom from fear.

(Rom 8:15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

5. Freedom from worry and care.

(1 Pet 5:7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

(Phil 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

B. Would you like to be set free?

1. It is a simple matter of faith.

2. It is available to all who will put their trust in Jesus Christ.

3. His precious blood on Calvary paid for it all, and it is now available to all who will believe in Him.

(John 8:36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

(John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

As we think about fathers this morning, do you have a personal relationship with God? Is He your Heavenly Father? He wants to be today. Are you lonely today? There is a family here that welcomes you to come and be a part. Have you been set free from the chains of bondage? Come today whatever the need might be.