EXODUS 20:12 "HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER: THAT THY DAYS MAY BE LONG IN THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE."

It is the most natural thing that a son or daughter, would look up to his or her father in awe and admiration. There is nothing as trusting and serenely beautiful, as seeing a son or daughter sitting on their father's knee, and starring with a serious focus at his countenance running their little fingers through his hair, if he still has any, and exploring his every facial design. Such a kid feels so proud and uniquely fortunate, that he or she has a father of their own. That child intuitively knows, that with father around, there is no need to fear, with father around there is no need worry, with father around, he is safe, he's protected and he's loved. These are qualities that this little child innately understands and rightfully expects from his father, which in the process of time, helps to shape his personality and character, and determines his view of the world around him.

Most Fathers, have never had any counseling particularly on this very important role of being a Father. Sadly as obtains more and more in our contemporary society, many young men grow up in homes without a Father, and worse, the total absence of any paternal influence or masculine example. With such a scenario, when many a man is faced with the responsibility of fatherhood being thrust upon him, the result is usually a miserable, disastrous failure. The failures of home by extension become the failure of the society, which in turn threatens the well-being of the future of our very human civilization. There is absolutely no substitute for a good father in the home, and all the social experiments and social engineering, h",ve proven to be detrimental to the family and the society in general. The essential truth is that the role and responsibility of Fatherhood is more onerous, complex and complicated than any man can possibly handle by himself, but when embarked upon, turns out to be the greatest adventure, one that accrues the greatest dividend ever. What a Blast! What a feeling of satisfaction! What a sense of fulfilment in life, being a real Man and Father in the true sense of the word. Fathers all need help, for the guidance, direction and wisdom that only "Our Heavenly Father" is able to bestow upon any man who asks. (James 1:5) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him."

l once heard the mother of a teenage son say in tones of utter painful disappointment, anguish and frustration, "you're just like your father." An expression that should have been an outburst of pride, satisfaction and admiration, in the man who is her spouse, and father of her son, is now dreaded, as the caricature of the father is more and more revealed, with every word the son utters, and every action he gestures. There goes the saying "chip don't fall too far from the old block," or as may be better known in Canada, "apples don't fall too for from the tree." Men and fathers must search themselves to see whether they are being the true examples, in word and deed to their sons and daughters . Characteristics such as honesty, moral integrity, responsibility, dependability, humility, fidelity, blended with tenderness, patience charm and love are more caught than taught. In other words those qualities are inculcated more readily by example rather than precept. Like in the process of osmosis those values cannot be absorbed into the lives of the children, if the values are absent, and not demonstrated in the home.

A good father is not only vital to sons, but also to daughters. We have new coined phrases such "dead beat dad," "child's father," "sperm donor," all with the same thought of the man's only role, or his only participation, was that of impregnating the mother. For the daughter, the father fulfills in her life, the mystique of the masculine, with which she will have to cope, for the rest of her life, and that which brings out the best in the development of her feminine qualities and virtues. Without a father in her life, there erupts emotional turmoil, and the lack of personal affirmation, and a skewing and distortion in the terms of reference, for her later choice of a mate. Gen 1:27 "If So God created man in His own image, in image of God created He him; male and female created He them." If God knew that each was vital to the other. In a good husband and wife, mother and father relationship, each compliments and finds fulfilment in the other, and it becomes a lifelong pursuit of love and service to each other and the family they have created.

Sadly there are too many examples of broken homes and marriages, absent fathers, abusive fathers to wives and children. There are fathers with foul mouths, without the fear of God in their hearts, and any display of common decency; fathers who have a greater affinity to their clubs and pubs, and the bottle and the' beer, than for their home and family. Is this honourable? The Word of God states, (l Tim 5:8) "But if any provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." There are other men who only provide financial support; they could as well be replaced by an ATM machine, for that matter. Can we see how very negatively sons and daughters are impacted, growing up in a home environment without advice or direction, void of emotional, psychological and spiritual leadership? Is this being honourable? Church it is time we realize the Hollywood model is broken, it does not fit. It does not work. It simply brings disaster upon chaos. We need to go back and read the Bible, go back and read God's Word. In the book of (1 Tim 3:16-17) "the Word is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work." We have dispensed with God's word to the detriment of the home and family and the society in general. We need to return and seek God's face, and repent for following our own rebellious ways, rather than the ways of God.

In the Book of Num. 6:24-26 it states, "You shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,' "The Lord Bless thee and keep thee; The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." In this present age we seem to have lost the dimension of imparting God's Blessing upon our children. In my father's generation, it was common practise, as with an abridged version they would say "God Bless you my child." The fathers then' did not have much of the worldly goods to give to their sons and daughters; very frankly they could not have afforded those expensive gifts for birthdays and other special times, with few exceptions. But, as Peter, in the Book of Acts, as it were, they affirmed, "such as I have give I thee." They imparted their parental BI sing. In Gen 27:38, Esau recognized though rather late, the importance of the paternal Blessing. In anguish of spirit he cried, have you only one blessing (referring to the blessing just given, to Jacob), my Father? Bless me-me also, 0 my Father, and Esau lifted up his voice and wept. What a pity that some children have now left the nest of home, without a prayer or a blessing.

This Father's Day if you realize that you have not been all that you should have been, as a father, then welcome to the club. This message is not merely intended to engender guilt, and highlight shortcomings, but rather to remind you, that you need to stop trying to do it alone, for one thing you can be sure about is that you will always fail, without God's help. However, (Phil 4:13) states, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." What a hope! What an encouragement! What a relief. These are some words of a prayer in a very popular gospel song, a father singing about his son. "Lord I want to be just like you, For he wants to be just like me, I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see, Lord I want to be just like you, Because he wants to be like me." Men and Fathers, in fact everyone present this morning, let us submit our lives and our wills to God and see what He can do in and through us. (2 Co r. 5:17) Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away and behold all things are become new. You may not be able to correct the many ills and wrongs of the past, but even now, God can still use you, to make a Godly impact in the lives of your sons and daughters from now on. Fathers you are called upon to imitate an~d be like God your Heavenly Father. Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through your lives, you can be better men and Fathers.

All Bible Verses: KJV