(upbeat orchestral music) (upbeat orchestral music) Hey, welcome First Baptist Online Worship. We are really glad that you're here. Let's celebrate. (upbeat music) ♪ Think about your best day ever ♪ ♪ The one you wish would last forever ♪ ♪ It was such a while ♪ ♪ Blue skies and perfect weather ♪ ♪ You didn't think it could get better ♪ ♪ But the sun went down ♪ ♪ Yeah the sun went down ♪ ♪ But you didn't wanna see it go ♪ ♪ All the fun will never last you know ♪ ♪ But what if it could ♪ ♪ That would be good ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When we all are finally free ♪ ♪ Earth has passed ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When the Father welcomes me ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ I close my eyes and I can see it ♪ ♪ It's far away but I believe it ♪ ♪ It's a dream that's real ♪ ♪ No more night and no more sorrow ♪ ♪ No more pain and no tomorrow ♪ ♪ Wonder how that feels ♪ ♪ How will it feel ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When we all are finally free ♪ ♪ Earth has passed ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When the Father welcomes me ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day ♪
♪ What a day ♪ ♪ What a day ♪
♪ What a day ♪ ♪ Oh I need it on the days like this ♪ ♪ That's how I cope ♪ ♪ This is my hope ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When we all are finally free ♪ ♪ Earth has passed ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When the Father welcomes me ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When we all are finally free ♪ ♪ Earth has passed ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When the Father welcomes me ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ Yes I'll be home at last ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ Eye has not seen, ear has not heard. ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When we all are finally free ♪ ♪ Earth has passed ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ ♪ When the Father welcomes me ♪ ♪ Home at last ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ ♪ What a day one day ♪ ♪ Some day it's gonna be ♪ Yeah I can't wait. (gently upbeat music) ♪ I am Barabbas ♪ ♪ A rebel a prisoner ♪ ♪ And death was the sentence for me ♪ ♪ Led before Pilate ♪ ♪ I stood there beside him ♪ ♪ This man some were calling a king ♪ ♪ And as the crowd shouted ♪ ♪ Crucify him ♪ ♪ The soldiers let me go free ♪ ♪ What kind of man ♪ ♪ Guilty of nothing ♪ ♪ Would suffer the shame and disgrace ♪ ♪ Would hang on a cross ♪ ♪ Despised and rejected ♪ ♪ And willing to die in my place ♪ ♪ At Calvary ♪ ♪ For someone like me ♪ ♪ Some one like me ♪ ♪ My name is Thomas ♪ ♪ For three years I followed ♪ ♪ I saw every wonder and sign ♪ ♪ Now they say he has risen ♪ ♪ That his grave is empty ♪ ♪ But I just can't believe he's alive ♪ ♪ But now standing before me ♪ ♪ Jesus shows me the scars ♪ ♪ In his hands and his side ♪ ♪ What kind of man ♪ ♪ Embraces a doubter ♪ ♪ Lovingly drawing me near ♪ ♪ I don't have to wonder ♪ ♪ If I've been accepted ♪ ♪ He settled the worry and fear ♪ ♪ At Calvary ♪ ♪ For someone like me ♪ ♪ Yes thank you Lord ♪ ♪ My name is Peter ♪ ♪ I knew him and loved him ♪ ♪ But oh how I failed him that night ♪ ♪ I promised Jesus ♪ ♪ That'd I'd never leave him ♪ ♪ I'd willingly lay down my life ♪ ♪ But there at his trial ♪ ♪ I stood by the fire ♪ ♪ I denied him three times ♪ ♪ What kind of man ♪ ♪ Pours out his mercy ♪ ♪ On someone who stumbles and falls ♪ ♪ With no way to earn it ♪ ♪ No way to deserve it ♪ ♪ Forgiveness still came after all ♪ ♪ At Calvary ♪ ♪ For someone like me ♪ ♪ Whoa oh I've been Barabbas ♪ ♪ The guilty set free ♪ ♪ And I have been Thomas ♪ ♪ The doubter redeemed ♪ ♪ And I have been Peter ♪ ♪ Yes I've been all three ♪ ♪ What kind of man ♪ ♪ Bleeds for the worthless ♪ ♪ And saves him whatever it takes ♪ ♪ What kind of man ♪ ♪ Would rescue a sinner ♪ ♪ And offer amazing grace ♪ ♪ At Calvary ♪ ♪ At Calvary ♪ ♪ For someone like me ♪ ♪ For someone like me ♪ ♪ For someone like me ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ She barged in uninvited ♪ ♪ Into the house of Simon ♪ ♪ Stood behind the Lord ♪ ♪ Weeping at his feet ♪ ♪ Broke open alabaster ♪ ♪ To anoint the master ♪ ♪ If he was truly God ♪ ♪ Why couldn't he see ♪ ♪ She was a sinner ♪ ♪ She was a sinner ♪ ♪ But he defended her ♪ ♪ With nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Unconditional love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Unsurpassable ♪ ♪ Doesn't matter what you've done ♪ ♪ Or where you're from ♪ ♪ It's always enough ♪ ♪ When Jesus comes ♪ ♪ With nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Oh nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Her offering had no alter ♪ ♪ Her tears became the water ♪ ♪ Washed away the dust ♪ ♪ Along with her past ♪ ♪ Sweet fragrance of repentance ♪ ♪ The room filled with forgiveness ♪ ♪ She finally found the kind of love that will last ♪ ♪ Now and forever ♪ ♪ Now and forever ♪ ♪ He will cover her ♪ ♪ With nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Unconditional love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Unsurpassable ♪ ♪ Doesn't matter what you've done ♪ ♪ Or where you're from ♪ ♪ It's always enough ♪ ♪ When Jesus comes ♪ ♪ With nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Oh nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ It's the glory ♪ ♪ It's the glory ♪ ♪ Of the gospel ♪ ♪ Of the gospel ♪ ♪ It's the story ♪ ♪ Of the broken-hearted ♪ ♪ How God makes something out of nothing ♪ ♪ Nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Love pure love ♪ ♪ Unconditional love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Unsurpassable ♪ ♪ Doesn't matter what you've done ♪ ♪ Or where you're from ♪ ♪ It's always enough ♪ ♪ When Jesus comes ♪ ♪ With nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Oh nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Nothing but love ♪ ♪ Pure love ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
♪ Love pure love ♪ ♪ It's unconditional love ♪ ♪ Love pure love ♪ (band member laughs) Yes it's only. (gentle upbeat music) ♪ There's a home I've never been to ♪ ♪ And it's calling my name ♪ ♪ I'm invited to the table ♪ ♪ Where they've always saved my place ♪ ♪ And I don't know just when I'm goin' ♪ ♪ But I know I'm goin' soon ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ Passin' through ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ Till I reach my destination ♪ ♪ Where all things are new ♪ ♪ I'm gonna keep on keepin' on ♪ ♪ Singin' sweet heaven's song ♪ ♪ It's all I can do ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ When I see the devastation ♪ ♪ Throughout the land ♪ ♪ All the chaos and division ♪ ♪ Has gotten out of hand ♪ ♪ When I get so discouraged ♪ ♪ I hold to this truth ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ Passin' through ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪
♪ Passin' through ♪ ♪ Till I reach my destination ♪ ♪ Where all things are new ♪ ♪ I'm gonna keep on keepin' on ♪ ♪ Singin' sweet heaven's song ♪ ♪ It's all I can do ♪
♪ I can do ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ Passin' ♪ ♪ Through this world below ♪ ♪ Passin' ♪ ♪ I'm makin' heaven my goal ♪ ♪ Reach heaven's goal ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪
♪ Passin' through ♪ ♪ Till I reach my destination ♪ ♪ Where all things are new ♪ ♪ I'm gonna keep on keepin' on ♪ ♪ Singin' sweet heaven's song ♪ ♪ It's all I can do ♪
♪ I can do ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ Passin' through ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪
♪ Passin' through ♪ ♪ Till I reach my destination ♪ ♪ Where all things are new ♪ ♪ I'm gonna keep on keepin' on ♪ ♪ Singin' sweet heaven's song ♪ ♪ It's all I can do ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ ♪ Till I reach my destination ♪ ♪ Where all things are new ♪ ♪ I'm gonna keep on keepin' on ♪ ♪ Singin' sweet heaven's song ♪ ♪ It's all I can do ♪ ♪ I'm gonna keep on keepin' on ♪ ♪ Singin' sweet heaven's song ♪ ♪ It's all I can do ♪ ♪ This world isn't home ♪ ♪ I'm only passin' through ♪ (gentle music) ♪ I've heard theologies ♪ ♪ And I've heard philosophies ♪ ♪ People have opinions ♪ ♪ And their own point of view ♪ ♪ I've heard preachers preach ♪ ♪ And I've heard teachers teach ♪ ♪ But it all comes down to ♪ ♪ This simple gospel truth ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ Every story that I've heard ♪ ♪ Every line and every word ♪ ♪ In those sacred pages ♪ ♪ I believe it's true ♪ ♪ Written down for me and you ♪ ♪ And it's stood the test of time ♪ ♪ Through the endless ages ♪ ♪ And because of all ♪ ♪ It has done in me ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ The skeptic only finds ♪ ♪ Ancient words from ancient times ♪ ♪ And they're quick to tell you ♪ ♪ That it's all out of date ♪ ♪ Oh but I see a timeless truth ♪ ♪ And my life is living proof ♪ ♪ Of it's power to save ♪ ♪ And I'm not ashamed to say ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ Every story that I've heard ♪ ♪ Every line and every word ♪ ♪ In those sacred pages ♪ ♪ I believe it's true ♪ ♪ Written down for me and you ♪ ♪ And it's stood the test of time ♪ ♪ Through the endless ages ♪ ♪ And because of all ♪ ♪ It has done in me ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ From Genesis to Revelation ♪ ♪ From beginning to the end ♪ ♪ From the dawning of creation ♪ ♪ To the final amen ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ Every story that I've heard ♪ ♪ Every line and every word ♪ ♪ In those sacred pages ♪ ♪ I believe it's true ♪ ♪ Written down for me and you ♪ ♪ And it's stood the test of time ♪ ♪ Through the endless ages ♪ ♪ And because of all ♪ ♪ It had done in me ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ ♪ I believe the book ♪ "I believe the book." What a powerful confession. Every line on every page, it is the Holy Word of God. Throughout our lives we find that there is a growing chorus of voices, vying for the ability to influence our lives. There are value systems that cry out for us to adopt what they believe. There are forces that would pressure us to conform. There are people and there are media that want us to believe that what they are feeding us is the way we're supposed to believe. Things from our culture, traditions that are handed down to us. The sounds of this chorus are subtle and soft when we're young. But it seems the older we grow the sound grows deafening. It becomes so loud and all-consuming. And the real battle is over influence. Because influence determines what we believe. Influence determines what we believe and how we view our world. Influence determines how we view ourselves. And influence actually shapes our views of how we look at others around us. Those who are like us and those who are different than we are. I believe in God's plan. And this is after studying Scripture for many years. That God's ideal when He created the human race, is for the greatest source of influence in the life of a child to be that of his or her father. And that's what I want us to think about today. The title of the message is, "Dad Means Influence." And I want you to turn with me to the Old Testament book of wisdom, called Proverbs. Proverbs chapter four. And we're going to read throughout that chapter. But we're gonna start with just the four verses. And I'm going to display it on the screen in just a moment, but I hope that you'll take time to open up your copy of Scripture. And to be able to underline and make some notes during this Father's Day message. That "Dad Means Influence." I'm going to be reading from the New Living Translation. I love the way it's worded in a very relevant and practical fashion for the needs of every dad. And to help all of us understand what God intended a dad to mean in the life of a child. So we begin in verse number one of Proverbs chapter four. Where he says: My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I'm giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my instructions. For I too, was once my own father's son, tenderly loved as my mother's only child. My father taught me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live." We believe that these first seven chapters of Proverbs were most probably penned by King Solomon of Israel. And these are some of the greatest collections of wisdom sayings, and most of them in his writing are penned as though a father is speaking to a son. Our translation here has generically included the father imparting these things to all of his children, be they boys or girls. But I want us to just think about this father, most likely King Solomon imparting truths to his son. And I wanna make some application to your life as a father today, on this Father's Day. Starting with this that dad, your influence is an assignment from God. God has assigned to a father the role of primary influencer in these verses that the father tells his children. "Listen to my advice and accept my correction." We read that in verse number one. You know, automatically when you hear talk like you're hearing now from me. People want to raise objections and say well how do you know that the father was intended by God to be the most influential person in the child's life? Well we're living in a day where there is an effort, and I don't just mean recently. This has been going on for a long time. To diminish the significance of a father's role in the life of a child. After all, in most homes today it's up for debate whether a father is really essential. And many women are determining that childbearing really shouldn't require the influence of a father, or the role of a father. If I wanna baby, I'll just go have a baby without the commitment that a man would make to be involved in that baby's life and in my life as the mother of the child. But no matter what the new system of values tries to prove, the most powerful influence on planet Earth is the influence of a father. A man, a male in a child's life. His presence is felt the strongest, his absence is felt the deepest. Other influences can compete. Other influences can try to take the place of a father. But there is no mistaking or reversing the fixed law of Almighty God, that no influence can equal the influence of a father in a child's life. It is irrevocable, it is fixed. You can no more defy that truth then you can defy the law of gravity. Now we understand that this principal, this law in God's universe. And how He intended the human race to be blessed and to thrive through the role father's play. There is no doubt that this has been flawed by human sinfulness. It's been flawed through imperfection because humans are sinners. We are weak and we are frail. And no father, no matter how noble of virtuous he is, ever fully measures up to the standard of perfection. But despite the imperfection and the sinfulness that we all have as fallen men, it can no more be changed as a law than the sun can cease to shine. In the pages of Scripture we see that God has crowned the man with headship. Now this is not a license for men to be chauvinists. And it is certainly not an entitlement for a man to abuse this God-given authority. Rather this headship with which man has been crowned is a responsibility that is to be managed with humility under God, as someone who will give an account before God. It is not some type of veiled form of misogyny that we hear so much about. It is simply something that no matter what goes on in our world and no matter how hard they try to change it. God has crowned men with leadership. And you cannot read the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and walk away with any other conclusion then that. Adam was created first. And after the sin, Adam was held responsible first when God called for a reckoning. Adam is even referred to in the New Testament as the head of the human race. The entire system of God's commandments throughout the Old Testament given through Moses, depended upon fathers teaching sons, who would teach their sons, who would teach their sons. This is in a biblical sense, patriarchy that we hear so much rebellion against today. But it is patriarchy that is to be practiced among all ethnicities. It is not a patriarchy belonging to one race. It is a patriarchy belonging to one sex. It is a God-intended societal order in which men exercise leadership and the responsibility that God has entrusted to them. It is the plan of God, and to rebel against that plan, not the abuses of it and not the forfeiture of it. But to rebel against it as the principal of truth from God's Word, is to resist the very ordinance of God Himself. What I'm trying to say to you, is man, sir, father, your influence is an assignment that God has given to you. Use it well, exercise it under God and with the direction that God has given adequately and thoroughly for every man, in the Scriptures. But here's a second thing I wanna say to all of our dads. Not only is your influence an assignment from God but your influence is vital as long as you live. As long as you are alive, someone is watching you. Someone is listening to you. And if you've got children, it's your children. They're at the top the list of the observers, of the listeners over whom you have influence as long as you are on this Earth. In chapter three, the chapter before the chapter in which we're studying today. Solomon says in verse one: My child never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. And if you do this, you will live many years and your life will be satisfying. So here he is, this dad is teaching his children. Not only in the fourth chapter from which we're reading but again in the third, he's teaching his child that their relationship, the relationship built upon a father instilling wisdom and guidance and direction into the heart and life of his child. This is a lifelong influence. (laughs) As long as dad lives, he has the power to exercise determinative influences. These first few chapters of Proverbs, if you're like me you read them every month. I read a Proverb a day, every morning to correspond with the days in a month. And so the first of the month rolls around, I start back over in the Proverbs. And they're so rich and meaningful. I've been doing that for probably 25, 30 years now. And it amazes me how after having this habit and discipline in my life, every day to read the Proverbs, how many things jump off the page each month that I haven't seen or that I see in a new or fresh way. Even after all these years of reading. But here's a word of encouragement I wanna give to anyone who's listening today. Who may have missed out on a father influencing you. Or maybe a father having the wrong kind of influence. If you will read these Proverbs, it's as if you're listening to a father. Perhaps the father you never had. And God will apply those wisdom sayings to your own heart. And build into you from your heavenly Father, Who wants to teach you. Things that an earthly father may not have taught you. So just understand the wisdom that can come from any earthly father that you may have never heard, has been given to us in God's Word. And it's just waiting as God's gift from His heart to yours. But dad, I want you to remember something today. That as long as you live your influence is active in the life of your child or your children. And then when they bring their kids along, you talk about ramping it up, now you have the opportunity to influence another generation. And we have men in our church who now have great grandchildren. And we have one member of our church that I know, even has great, great grandchildren. Oh the influence that a dad has as long as he is alive. See dad, your words shape the direction of the life of your child. Your advice impacts the decisions. Even when a kid acts like what you say doesn't matter, I'm telling you the power of your words has impact. Your example is setting a standard for your children. And hopefully it's the kind of standard that your son says, I want to be like dad. And your daughter says I wanna marry someone like dad. Your sensitivity to your children encourages openness and the freedom to converse without fear of shutting things down. That sensitivity matters, coming from the words and the actions of a dad. And you know what happens when you bestow your approval on your children? The Bible refers to it as the blessing. When you speak a blessing, a commendation, words of praise over your child. That instills a confidence in the heart and life of your child that causes him or her to believe that there is no mountain they cannot climb. There is no hurdle they cannot overcome. There is no foe that they cannot conquer because my dad told me I could do it. Your approval means the world. Now one of the things about fatherhood is that when you first become a father, there are things that you don't know. Even if you had a wonderful dad, and you look back on your life and you see your kids all grown-up and you say you wish you could go back and be a dad, knowing what you know now. And unfortunately that's not how it works. But one of the blessings that I've seen in my life in my own experiences and of being a pastor. Is to see how dads are continually growing. Dads are real people, so dads have immaturities in their lives. Behaviors and ways of reacting, ways of treating people. That as they grow older and especially a Christian father who is yielding to the control of the Holy Spirit. A dad can soften over time. A dad can mature, and dads who maybe aren't as grown-up as they ought to be on the front end of a child's life. They grow up over time. And if a dad is saved, I'm telling you he can't help it, he is going to grow. Because if Jesus is at work in his life, he's going to become a better person. A wiser person. He's going to become a more attentive and caring person. But I want you to understand that even if you're critical of yourself, or you look back on some things you did or did not do when you were raising your children. There is still time for you to exercise the right kind of influence. You can still be the dad that God wants you to be. The granddad that God wants you to be. In other words don't ever throw in the towel. Don't ever say well, I blew it. There's no need in me trying. Oh yes there is. God wants you to keep on keeping on, growing in the virtue of exercising influence in the life of your family. Several years ago, since I've been in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to sit down with a very successful person who had achieved a lot of accomplishments in business. In fact I would say he's at the top of his game. And as we sat there and we had a cup of coffee together, he was referring to his own father who is advanced in years. And as we were talking about his accomplishments he started talking about his own dad. And tears welled up in his eyes and he says, "You know, God's helped me to accomplish a lot of things in life and in my career. But the one thing that I'm waiting to hear above everything else that I've accomplished, I'm waiting for dad to look me in the eye and say, 'I'm proud of you'." You know when he said that to me, it was like a dagger went into my heart. Because here is this man whose older than I am, and although he is a grown man. What I heard, sitting at the table at Starbucks was the heart of a little boy saying, I just want my daddy to be proud of me. Isn't that amazing? That little boys, no matter how old they are, every single one of them longs for the approval and the affirmation from his father. And the same could be said of every little girl. There is something that helps define one's worth. There is something that helps to confirm and solidify one's identity. Simply by knowing my dad is proud of me. And do you know today on Father's Day, I just wanna say that I consider myself to be one of the most blessed individuals in all the world. Because I had the privilege of hearing my dad tell me that, over and over and over again. And it has made all the difference in the world. In my life as a man, in my life as a pastor and a preacher and a servant of God. One of the greatest powers that a dad has, is the ability to speak blessing into his children. To crown your boy or your girl, (laughs) whether they're young or older. To crown them with favor. To speak upon them assurance and confidence and to realize that even though they may seem indifferent to you right now, your words still carry so much weight. Well the next thing I want you to write down is this, dad you're influence can be very practical. Very practical, it doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't have to be complex. The influence of a dad can be very practical. After all, how many of you who knew your dad, who know your dad would say, my dad is a profound Bible scholar and a theologian who constantly quotes the Scripture and talks about very deep spiritual matters? Well there are very few people who could say that about their dads because dads tend to be just more practically oriented. Imparting to us wisdom about how to make good decisions and everyday common sense things. But what I thought I would do is just to walk through the fourth proverb here, where we started reading a moment ago. And just look at some of the practical advice. And remember now, Solomon most likely wrote the first seven chapters, so there's no way we could package all of that into one sermon. But I want us to look at a few of the very practical down to earth kinds of ways that Solomon tried to influence the children to whom he was writing these words. For instance he says, don't be foolish. In verse number seven he says hey children, "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do. And whatever else you do, develop good judgment." Now I've worded it politely. If my dad had said this, my dad would have said, "Don't be stupid boy." (laughs) But don't be foolish and say I'm gonna word it for you. The point is, it's easy to be a fool. In fact nobody has to be taught how to be a fool, we're born with a tendency to make unwise choices. But Solomon said to his son here, don't be foolish. Don't be stupid, don't be dumb. You need to make the pursuit of wisdom your top priority. That's a father talking to a son. And whatever else you do, he says, develop good judgment. Because good judgment makes all the difference in the world between fulfillment in your choices through life and regrets from your choices in life. Here's another one. Don't keep bad company. He says in verses 14 and 15. A father saying to his son or to his children, "Don't do like wicked do, don't follow the path of evildoers. Don't even think about it; don't go that way. Turn away and keep on moving." What wonderful, practical wisdom for a father to tell his children, be careful about the friends you keep. Because your friends can exercise influence that can lead you down a lifelong path of destruction. Or your friends can encourage you to walk down the path of godliness and righteousness and wise decision making. Oh the practical influence of a dad, don't hang around the wrong kind of people. And then not only this, the father says to his children, "Guard your heart." In verse 23, look at it in your copy of the Word. He says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." What is the father saying to his children? This is a dad saying that your influences matter. And if you don't guard your heart, if you don't put up a checkpoint. If you don't filter the kinds of advice and philosophies that you accept. I'm telling you my child beware, because if you don't guard your heart someone else will take over your heart. He says guard your heart above all else. Or as I've heard it said, the things you believe in your heart, determine the direction you take in your life. Is that not true? That's just a paraphrase of what he says there in verse 23. Your heart is what determines the course of your life. That's why you have to guard it by being very careful as to what you choose to believe, and the sources that you rely on to inform what you believe. And to tell you how you ought to feel about certain things. These are things that a dad can teach his children. You know something else he says, very practically. You don't need a degree in theology to be a dad who tells your children, be someone who tells the truth. In other words don't be a liar. Verse 24, the dad says to the son, "Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech." And in the New American Standard translation it's translated this way. "Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you." So what he's saying there, the father to his children. Is don't be one whose word people have to question. Because you're known for being deceptive. Because you're known for being dishonest. What an insult to the family name. What an insult to a father, that his children are sons or daughters who speak deceptively and falsely. Whose word cannot be relied upon as truth. These are practical things a dad can teach his children. And not only that, but look at what he says, always focus on important goals in your life. I love this, in verse 25. He says, "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you." So our goals should always be the focus our lives. He says, "Focus on what lies before you." That's very important. Because it is a deceptive ploy of the enemy to make us focus on what's behind us rather than what's before us. Wallowing in the past will make us defeated in the future. The father said to the son, set goals for the future and fix your eyes on what's before you. What practical wisdom from a dad. Then he says, "My children, avoid the alluring distractions." They're alluring, they're calling your name. They sound and look appealing. He says in verse 26 of the fourth chapter, "Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." And in the Old Testament, Moses actually warned the people in Deuteronomy, chapter five in verse 32. He said, "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you." And here is, this is the similar language that Solomon used in Proverbs. "You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." So you see what the writer here, Solomon is saying, is what Moses had already said in Deuteronomy. And that is, walk a straight path. From the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the path," came the expression the straight and narrow path. So it's kind of a figure of speech to say well, they are saved and they're walking on the straight and narrow path now. Well that's exactly what Solomon was teaching his children, walk a straight path. What's the opposite of a straight path? A crooked path. A path that is filled with detours, as we're distracted and called away by temptations. And if you wanna get practical, he spends a lot of time talking to his son about the distraction of immorality. The seductive woman who calls his name. (laughs) And all kinds of things like that. He says walk the path that's straight and narrow. Don't turn to the right, don't turn to the left. Walk in the righteous truth of God. Because God has a plan for your life. Well here's a final thing I want you to write down today, and that is dad, your influence extends beyond your lifetime. Don't miss that. Let that sink in. Your influence extends beyond your life. Can I break it down for you? Your influence keeps going after you die. Solomon refers to his own father when he's talking to his children. We read it but let's look at it again in verse number three. He says, "I too was once my father's son, tenderly loved as my mother's only child. And my father taught me." Here he is reflecting on the memory of what his dad had taught him. "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live." Do you know what this passage is teaching us? This passage is teaching us the power of a dad's legacy. Consider this, your life is what your kids observe. Your legacy is what your kids remember. And dad I want you to understand today that you will leave a legacy. And this is why it is so important that you be strategic in how you build it. A legacy is built by quality time with your kids. A legacy is built by promises kept to your kids. A legacy is built by lots of fun and making of memories. A legacy is built by moments of affirmation and encouragement. A legacy is built by your faith in Jesus, more than anything else. What a legacy, when a dad builds with all of those building blocks that I just mentioned. And of course you know there are many more. And how do you know? Because many of you are building with those blocks. You know one of the greatest joys that I have as a Christian is the friendships that I have with other men, godly men. And I can't really explain this, but my closest male friends are all amazing husbands and awesome dads. And my involvement in their lives is with their families. And it's been that way from the time I became a Christian when I was 16, until this very day. And I have been so encouraged just by the example of my closest friends. And then being a pastor, not only before I came here, but since I've been here. Our church is filled with legacy-building, godly dads. And I want you to know today, you dads are my hero. And to everyone of you who is building such a legacy, my hat is off to you today. I pray God will continue to bless you. As we look at this passage today we see that Solomon was a dad who was leaving a legacy of love, a legacy of wisdom, a legacy of truth and a legacy of faith. Because the investment of a father made into the life of his children, is a legacy that keeps on giving. Years and years and years after that father is gone from the earth. So I trust that you've been encouraged today as we think about the fact that dad really is another word for influence. Let's pray together. Father I thank you for the amazing responsibility that has been entrusted to men in general. But especially to husbands and to dads. I thank you for so many men who take that responsibility seriously. I thank you for men of faith, I thank you for men of character and I thank you for dads who invest. Who invest each day, every day, all year long as often as they can, in the lives of children. And I thank you for the dads who are now granddads who continue to use the gift of their influence to make a lasting difference in the lives of their children's children. Bless each one of them today, on this happy Father's Day. In Jesus name, amen. (gently upbeat music) I'm Mitchell.
David. And Steven Ackermann. And we'd like to tell our father, Robert Ackermann, thank you for everything you've done for us. Happy Father's Day. I'm Julianne Apperson. This is in memory of my dad, Raymond Schmidt. He was the most loving dad ever. Happy Father's Day. My name is Caylene Augustin and on behalf of all the Augustin girls in our family, we wanted to tell our dad, Curtis Augustin, happy Father's Day. Hi, we're the Ball family from Leesburg, Virginia. And I wanna wish my dad, Don Brown. Happy Father's Day. My name is Landon. My daddy's David Barker. Happy Father's Day, I love you. (kissing) We are Casey, Sammy and Joshua Brewer and we wanna wish our dad, Ted Brewer a ... Happy Father's Day. Happy day. Happy daddy day. And daddy, daddy, daddy. Hello, my name is Christian Desir. And my name is Mayah Desir. And my name is Abigail Desir and we just wanna with our dad, Rolin Desir a happy Father's Day. We love you daddy. Thank you dad for being a provider and just being there for us, happy ... Father's Day dad. Happy Father's Day grand pop John Fetner. Hi everyone, join me LaRhonda Gatrey in celebrating my dad, Ron Gatrey on this fantastic Father's Day. Love you. (kissing) My name is Miracle Olufandehan Gbadebo. I would like to wish my dad, Ademola-Oba Gbadebo a happy Father's Day, love you. Hi I'm Staci Sletten, wanting to wish my father, David Gentry, happy Father's Day. Happy Father's Day dad. Happy Father's Day dad. Happy Father's Day dad. Happy.
Father's. Day. Hi, I'm Amanda Hall, and this is for a dad who loves unconditionally. Happy Father's Day John Gutowski. Hi, my name is Holly Hampton and this is Georgia Grace. We wanna wish Jerry Hampton a very happy Father's Day. We love you dad. Hey daddy, happy Father's Day, I love you. And I'm so proud to be your daughter. And I'm always daddy's girl. Hey, my name is Amy Johnson. And this is Robert Johnson, and I just want wish my dad a happy, happy Father's Day in heaven. Love you much. I'm Alex Johnson. I'm Antoinette Johnson. And my daddy is Melvin Johnson and we just wanna wish him a happy Father's Day. Love you. Happy Father's Day. Hi, my name is Autumn Johnson and I'd like to wish my father Melvin Johnson a happy Father's Day. Happy Father's Day pappy. Hi, my name is Kelly. I'm Shawna. I'm Stephanie. And we would like to wish our dad. Don Laughlin. A very special Father's Day. Hi, this is Tiffany. Kim.
Timothy. And we'd like to wish our dad. And my husband, P.Q. Le. A happy Father's Day. We love you. Happy Father's Day Bob Lee, from your daughter Rachel. Mom and I love you so much, and your son Joseph is in heaven smiling down on you today. Happy Father's Day dad. Dad, thank you for being me and Jeremiah's dad. I love you. I love you too dad. Hi, my name is Moriah Mason. And I'm wishing my wonderful father, Greg Mason a happy Father's Day, love you dad. Hi, this is Wesley McDorman here to wish Dwayne McDorman my father, a happy Father's Day. Happy Father's Day dad. Happy Father's Day dad. Three, two, one, go. Happy Father's Day. I'm Greg Medlin and this is my dad Dillard Medlin. He's 94 years old and I'm wishing him a happy Father's Day. Hey I'm Maya Mendez, and I'm wishing my dad, Juan Mendez a happy Father's Day. Dad I love you, thank you for all that you do. You're the best dad ever, enjoy your day. And happy.
Happy. Dada.
Dada. Day.
Day. Mwah. (smacking lips) Mm mm. Hey, my name is Joi Moore. And I just wanna wish my dad, Dr. Efrim Moore a happy Father's Day, love you dad. I'm Lauren Panetta. I'd like to wish Marvin McCollum a happy Father's Day. Dad, thanks for being a great dad, a loving grandfather, and soon to be great grandfather. Happy Father's Day to my dad, Todd Harmanson. From Serena and Emily. (Emily whines) Hi, I'm Philana. Kristen.
I'm Cameryn. And Patrick Rogers. We love Jeff Rogers for his humor. Encouragement.
His spiritual leadership. And his creativity. Happy Father's Day. Hi, I'm Eli Sherrill, I'd like to wish my dad, Randy Sherrill a very happy Father's Day. Thanks for all you do dad, I love you very much. And hello from the puppies. My name is Payton. My name is Parker. And our daddy's name is Antoine Simpson. Happy Father's Day. Hi, this is David Sixsmith, and I'd like to wish my father, Andy Sixsmith, a happy Father's Day. We all love you dad. Hi, this is Wade Sixsmith wanting to wish my father Andrew Sixsmith a happy Father's Day. Hi my name is Christopher Spitalnick. Hi my name is Ben Spitalnick. We wish a happy Father's Day to our dad, Lee Spitalnick. Happy Father's Day. My name is Annabel Spitalnick, and I wanna wish my dad, Lee Spitalnick a happy Father's Day. I love you. This is a Father's Day message for Mike Stephens. Happy Father's Day daddy. We'd like to wish our dad, John Teleaga a happy Father's Day. We love you. Your loving daughters. Cadmiela.
And Jessica. Happy Father's Day to the best dad, Dale Thomas. This is Jason Tongco from Seattle, Washington, wishing my dad, Danilo Tongco a happy Father's Day. Hi, my name is Leah, and I wanna wish Danny Tongco a happy Father's Day. I love you and I'll see you later. We'd like to wish our father Danny a happy Father's Day. Happy Father's Day. We love you. Hello, my name is Shnequia Webb, and I want to wish my father, Henry Webb, who lives in Townsend, Georgia, a very happy Father's Day. I love you. Hi I'm Lafreda Welborn. And I'm Sean Welborn. Hi, I'm Sara Welborn. And they would like to ... Wish our dad, Roger Welborn. [Brother And Sister] A happy Father's Day. My name is Rosa. And my name is Adrianna. This is Captain. And we wanna say to our dad, Andrew Williams. Happy Father's Day. Hi, I'm John Williams, and I'd like to wish my dad, Andrew Williams a happy Father's Day. Hi, my name is Andy Stanley. My father is Charles Stanley. And he's always telling me how proud he is of me. So dad, today I want you to know how proud I am of you. And how proud I am to be your son. Happy Father's Day. (gentle music)
