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Being a Great Father

Mark 9:33-35

Introduction:

A. Happy Father’s Day!

I. What Father’s Really Want: To be a great Father

A. Father’s Day Gifts

James 4:1-3

B. Greatness Is a Virtue (Mark 9:33-37)

C. The Enemy of Greatness: Pride

“Pride is one of the commonest sins which beset human nature … It is a subtle sin. It rules and reigns in many a heart without being detected, and can even wear the clothing of humility. It is a most soul-ruining sin. It prevents repentance, keeps people back from Christ, checks brotherly love and nips spiritual concern in the bud. Let us watch against it and be on our guard. Of all clothing, none is so graceful, none wears so well and none is so rare as true humility.” —J. C. Ryle

II. Marks of Greatness in a Father

A. Great Obedience to the Lord – Matthew 5:19

¹⁹Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

1. Don’t get angry (vv. 21-22)

2. Seek reconciliation (vv. 23-26)

3. Don’t lust after women (vv. 27-28)

4. Remove temptations from your life (vv. 29-30)

5. Don’t divorce your wife (vv. 31-32)

6. Do not swear at all, rather, “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” (vv. 33-37)

7. Don’t seek revenge (vv. 38-39)

8. Help others willingly (vv. 40-42)

9. Love, pray for, and great both your neighbors and your enemies (vv. 43-47)

10.Be as your Father in Heaven (v. 48)

B. Great Faith in the Lord – Matthew 8:10; 15:28

Without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6

C. Great Humility in Serving the Lord – Matthew 20:26-28; Mark 9:35

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35)

III. How God Makes a Father Great (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)

A. Through a Prayer that God Loves to Answer

1. Not “Lord, make me great,” but "Lord, use me more!"

"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things‑and the things that are not‑to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him .... Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord"' (1 Corinthians 1:27‑31).

2. God doesn't use the strong.

Exodus 2:11‑15

3. Moses excuses:

a) I'm nobody (Exodus 3:11)

b) I have no authority (3:13)

c) I'm not persuasive (4:1)

d) I have no speaking skills (4:10)

e) I'd just rather not do it (4:13)

B. Lessons learned:

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