Not Many Fathers
Mal 4:6 - "And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse."
This is the last verse in the Old Testament and is a prophetic promise which will be fulfilled. There is to be in the last days a restoration of the spirit of Elijah, a prophetic spirit that compels fathers to emerge, turn toward the sons and at the same time draws sons to align them- selves again with the fathers.
When there is a breakdown in the relationship between fathers and sons, it is a violation of God’s order and as a result there is a curse on the land.
The church is in desperate need of fathers who know God and are willing to take responsibility for the development and training of the next generation, rather than concentrating on their own development and ministry.
The fathers are the first to act. It is their hearts that must be turned back toward the sons; in fact, according to scripture, it was their responses that created the division. By faith we want to rediscover the role of spiritual fathers and see them begin to turn their hearts toward their sons.
The restoration of real spiritual fathers is not just the restoration of men but of paternity. In the O. T. fathers taught the children the things of God. This model is the supporting structure of the people that God is preparing for Himself. It is the fathers and mothers that are responsible for the transmitting of truth. (Acts 15:14, Titus 2:14, 1 Pet. 2:9, 10)
1 Cor 4:15 - "For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."
NT:3807 - paidagoogos, a tutor (Latin: paedagogus - a guide and guardian of boys.)
Among the Greeks and Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.
The name carries with it an idea of severity (as of a stern enforcer of morals) in 1 Cor 4:15, the father is distinguished from the tutor as one whose discipline is usually milder.
OT producer or generator, benevolence, protection
NT 3962 pater (from the root, pa;) - literally, a father - generator or male ancestor,
nourisher, protector, upholder. There are four primary applications of this word (Thayer):
o the originator and transmitter of anything; the author of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself
- one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds
- one who stands in a father's place and looks after another in a paternal way
- teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received
Each of the four parts of this definition form the basis for the following statements about fathers
I Fathers set the tone for the people of God
- the author of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself
- 2 Chron 34:2 - "And he (Josiah) did right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. "
- Jeremiah 31:29 - "In those days they will not say again, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.’"
- Fathers are long-term (even life-long) relationships - while nurturing and mentoring are short term for a purpose
- Fathers are not required to have everything that the son needs, but rather to provide an atmosphere for growth and development
II Fathers have the right to ask their sons to imitate their behavior
- one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds
- 1 Cor. 4:16 - "I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.”
- 1 Cor. 4:17 – “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church."
- Prov. 4:1- "My children, listen to me. Listen to your father's instruction. Pay attention and grow wise, "
- Fathers are consistent and stable in character
- Fathers have learned to exercise spiritual authority without control
- Fathers need to be secure enough to let a son grow and develop even if his gift is different from theirs
III Fathers look after the interests of their sons
- one who stands in a father's place, and looks after another in a paternal way
- Fathers bring both encouragement and discipline
- They are the son’s greatest champion
§ Fathers believe in the son when no one else does
§ Fathers have committed to pray for and carry the burden or joy of their son’s success or failure
- Fathers have the right to correct
§ 1 Cor 4:14 - "I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children."
§ Fathers love the son too much not to speak the truth
§ Heb 12:11 - "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
§ Is discipline seen as punishment or training?
- Fathers will ask the hard questions and are willing to go through the pain of making it work
- Fathers are willing to let a son make a mistake knowing, that it is a part of growth
IV Fathers are deeply committed to fruitfulness
- teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received
- Fathers are deeply committed to the next generation
- Ps 78:5-7 - "He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should teach them to their children, 6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, 7 That they should put their confidence in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments”
- Fathers are about establishing leaders
- Fathers are more interested in releasing others than in doing it themselves
- Fathers will work with the son to define expectations and develop a plan to give accountability where needed
Read Part 2: The Response of the Sons
