What makes a person great? Is it a superior intellect of an Albert Einstien, the artistic genius of a Michelangelo, the business savvy of a John D. Rockefeller? The world may gauge success in terms of fame, wealth, and power but God measures greatness by another standard.
We have been told that figures don’t lie. But sometimes they do. For example, some chemists had figured out what the average man is worth. He contains enough fat to make seven bars of soap; enough iron to make a medium-sized nail; enough magnesium for one good dose of magnesia; enough potassium and sulfur to create a small explosion; enough lime to whitewash a small chicken coop; enough sugar to fill a shaker; and enough potassium to make 2,200 match tips. Chemists figured at the rates which were then current that a man was worth about ninety-eight cents.
But some others said that the 150-pound, ninety-eight-cent man is now worth $85.5 billion. Researchers believe that the atoms in a 150 pound man have an energy potential of 11.4 kilowatt hours per pound--$570 million per pound! Total value: $85.5 billion. Some of us are worth more than we ever imagined!
I don’t know about all this, but I do know that a godly father is worth more than can ever be told. The humblest person is great in the eyes of the Lord if he or she has the quality of godliness. Nowhere is this more evident than in one’s role as a parent. On this Father’s Day occasion, we will look at an experience out of the life of Abraham, "The friend of God," and by so doing we shall discern certain marks that a godly father possesses. In Abraham we see "The Greatness of a Godly Father."
I. A Godly Father Faces Great Trials.
A. God sent Abraham the ultimate test. v1
1. We are told from the outset that God was testing Abraham, though he did not know this.
2. Had he known it, it would have been no test at all.
B. Abraham was to offer his only son as a "burnt offering". v2
1. Unlike most animal sacrifices which were only partially burned, this type was to be entirely consumed by fire.
2. Besides being Abraham’s only child by Sarah, Isaac was the sole hope for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
3. If the lad perished without an heir, there would be no chosen people, no Messiah, no salvation.
4. Yet God commanded him to be offered, as the pagan Canaanites caused their children to "pass through the fire" to their fertility deities, Baal and Molech.
C. What a difficult trial!
1. While God will not ask of us what he did of Abraham, we too will go through great trials with our children.
2. We will endure anxious nights waiting for their return.
3. We will weep for them as they face the temptations of sex, drugs, and alcohol.
4. When they ignore our counsel, choose bad companions, or run away from home, our hearts will break.
II. A Godly Father Needs Great Faith.
A. Abraham believed that he and his son would return from their ordeal together.
1. Even if God had to bring Isaac back from the dead to fulfill his purposes, the divine promises would be kept.
Hebrews 11:19, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
2. Such was the greatness of Abraham’s faith.
B. Abraham further believed that God would provide another sacrifice in place of Isaac. v 8
1. It is possible to construe this verse to mean not only that God would provide a sacrifice for himself...
2. But also that he would give himself as that sacrifice!
3. This is exactly what he did in Christ.
C. Unless we have great faith, the trials we must face on account of our children will overwhelm us.
1. Only a deep sense of trust in God’s protection can give us peace of mind in the midst of the physical, moral, and spiritual dangers that threaten our children.
2. But faith alone is not enough.
III. A Godly Father Exercises Great Obedience.
A. Here is a picture of obedience that is unparalleled outside of Gethsemane. v10
1. Abraham steadfastly determined to bend his will to God’s will, whatever the cost.
2. He would not withhold from God one iota of compliance, though it meant the death of all his love and hopes.
B. Here, too, is a contrast to the deliberate defiance, open rebellion, and willful disobedience of our first parents in the Garden of Eden.
1. As all the woes of the world can be traced back to that ill-conceived decision.
2. So all our blessings are made possible by obedience.
3. The obedience of Abraham opened the way for the even greater obedience of Jesus Christ.
C. Our obedience to God is the basis of our children’s submission to us and our authority.
1. We cannot expect them to mind us, to value spiritual things, and to live uprightly if we flout the will of God.
2. Hypocrisy is the surest way to lose our children’s respect.
3. Sending them to Sunday school and church is no substitute for taking them.
4. They don’t need lectures; they need examples.
IV. A Godly Father Obtains Great Blessings.
A. God took the highest oath he could take to guarantee to Abraham infinite blessing. v16
1. All the promises were his because of his great faith and obedience.
2. Among these blessings were a great multitude of descendants who would be victorious over their enemies. v17
B. Abraham would not only receive a bless- ing, he would be a blessing to others. v18
1. Whole nations would be the beneficiaries of his greatness.
2. This has been fulfilled in the Lord Jesus.
3. What God prevented Abraham from doing to his son, he did to his own Son when he offered him as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, securing for human-kind the ultimate blessing of salvation.
C. Godly fathers have good reason to hope for great blessings in their children.
1. To see them come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2. To watch them mature into godly sons and daughters.
3. To feel pride in their worthy accomp- lishments are just some of the great blessings of a godly father.
Are you a great father? I don’t mean, Are you the perfect provider or the all-wise sage to your children. But are you a parent who faces the trials of fatherhood with faith and obedience, resulting in the blessings of God? If so then you are a great father. Ask God to make you even greater.