God The Model Father by W. Frank Walton (wfwalton@juno.com)
"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father
is perfect" (Matt 5:48).
Father's Day reminds us to appreciate and "honor your father"
(Eph 6:2), which is an ongoing responsibility. Fathers should
consider how to be a better spiritual leader and model before
next Father's Day.
According to What Every Family Needs, research has shown that:
(1) the personality and background of the husband, not the wife,
were the most important factors in the success of a marriage,
and (2) fathers are more influential than mothers in delinquent
behavior in their children, and (3) if a father attends church
regularly, their children will be more likely to attend regularly,
regardless of the mother's attendance (p. 19).
It's been said that our children will not find a Father in God
unless they find God in their earthly father. A confused world
cries out for spiritual leadership. Have you thought about imitating
God as the premier model of the best father?
1. Protector. "He will cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My
God, and the rock of my salvation'" (Psa 89:26). David, in
this Royal Messianic Psalm, saw that God would protect His Anointed
as a Father would protect His son. Fatherly protection is like
a rock of refuge when under attack. Because of the father's strength
of character, his family feels safe and secure. He protects them
from the brunt of life's storms and problems, and he refrains
from being the cause of them in the home.
2. Provider. "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?'
or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'...for
your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things"
(Mt 6:31-32). We need not worry our head off, for our heavenly
Father will provide what is best (Mt 7:11). Good fathers work
hard, plan ahead, and forgo indulging on themselves so they can
meet their families' needs.
3. Compassionate. "Just as a father has compassion on his
children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For
He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust"
(Psa 103:13-14). Although God is sinlessly perfect in His character
and absolutely transcendent in His position, He feels with us
and for us. He mercifully understands our weaknesses and limitations.
Fathers need to be sensitive to the feelings and needs of their
children, not being unreasonable or too harsh (Eph 6:4). God is
merciful to our short-comings and so should we (Lk 6:36).
4. Disciplinarian. "My son, do not reject the discipline
of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He
reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights"
(Prov 3:12-13). God's corrective discipline in Scripture is for
our good. He rebukes sin in love to help us overcome bad habits
and to establish good ones. A father is a sculptor who is building
the character of his children (Isa 64:8, Prov 4:10-11). A confident
father will think ahead of how he wants to mold his children and
then enact this plan of action. Like God, fathers need to mean
what they say and say what they mean. If children will learn to
respect and obey their father's authority, they will grow up to
respect and obey God's authority in Scripture (Eph 6:1-3. Mt 7:21).
5. Model. "Be imitators of God as dear children" (Eph
5:1). God our Father is the model of mature, holy character (Mt
5:48). Little eyes are watching and little ears are listening
to fathers at home. Our children's heart's are like wet cement,
whatever touches it leaves a lasting impression (Prov 23:26).
Fathers have one opportunity to rear their children. With God
our Father as our model, we help our children make it to heaven
(Prov 4:10-11).
Dear God, I pray more men will look to you to help make us the
fathers you designed us to be.
The Life-Cycle of a Church by W. Frank Walton
"So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase" (Acts 9:31). Luke describes the church in Palestine (brethren in the aggregate) as experiencing dynamic growth. In general, they had their spiritual priorities in place, with a reverent attitude toward the Lord and reliance on the promises and guidance given by the Holy Spirit. God's people doing God's work in God's way will reap God's blessing. How many of us are bearing "much fruit" (John 15:5) to the Lord's honor and glory?
In a local church, as in our individual lives, we often pass through different stages in our spiritual development. The church at Thyatira was improving, though plagued with false teaching (Revelation 2:19). The church at Sardis was past its prime (Rev. 3:1-3). The church at Corinth has some good points and spiritual talent (1 Cor. 1:4-7, 11:2; 2 Cor. 8:7), yet they were plagued church problems due to carnality (1 Cor. 3:1-3) and a failure to follow through on their promises (2 Cor. 8:7,10-11; 9:2-5).
Paul teaches that the ideal path of a church is ever onward and upward: "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain" (1 Cor. 15:58). A vibrant life-cycle in the church comes from the renewal of firm commitment to the Lord and to the spiritual mission to which we have been called. The Lord's soul-saving work is the most important work in the world. It deserves and demands our best effort, both individually and collectively.
Those who study organizations of people have observed that most organizations go through 3 stages in its life-cycle: (1) risk-taking stage, (2) caretaking stage, (3) undertaking stage. Let's see how this might apply to the life-cycle of a church.
1. Risk-Taking Stage. A new or small congregation often struggles. Yet, everyone must pull their own weight to not pull others down. Members are willing by faith to take risks to advance the cause of Christ, or as Jesus put it, to "launch out into the deep" (Luke 5:4). The adventure of faith means commitment to work hard and sacrifice to build up the local church in doing the Lord's work.
Such characterized the church at Philippi in zealously supporting gospel preaching (Phil. 4:15-16). The Lord's church in Rome was widely known for their active, aggressive and encouraging faith (Romans 1:8,12). The churches of Macedonia were materially poor but rich in dedication and sacrifice that even the apostle Paul marveled (2 Cor. 8:1-5).
In this stage of growth, members gladly volunteer their involvement. Members are active and aggressive in evangelism and inviting others to church, like the newly planted church at Thessalonica (1 Thess. 1:8). Launching out in this daring faith means a church has the willingness to face the possibility of failure, problems, rejection or difficulty in doing the Lord's work. The Thessalonian church had this bold devotion for Jesus, because of their idealist, vibrant spiritual traits: active faith, loving service, and steadfast hope in the Lord's second coming (1 Thess. 1:3). This is why the gospel grew and was glorified among them (2 Thess. 3:1).
2. Caretaking Stage. The church at Laodicea thought they had "arrived." They smugly thought that we "have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). Yet the Lord evaluated them accurately, "You are lukewarm" (Rev. 3:16a). His sobering warning of "repent!" (Rev. 3:19) or else would apply to all churches today who are smug and self-satisfied. Lukewarm churches that are content to putter along make the Lord sick! "I will spit (or vomit) you out of my mouth" (Rev.3:16b). The caretaking church loses it vision of ever expanding growth, thereby missing its sense of mission and spiritual urgency.
After a church has grown, it is easy to drift into a "comfort zone." A nice building is built. They hire a good preacher who will do their work for them. There are usually enough members now that things that have to be done will eventually get done. Maintaining the status quo becomes a rut. This church seeks to "hold its own." Members become weary of work and sacrifice. Religion becomes more of convenience instead of conviction. Is the church where you attend satisfied with the "status quo" and "holding your own."?
3. Undertaker Stage. If a church remains in the caretaker stage long enough, it will soon be ready for the undertaker. The Lord said of Sardis, "You are dead" (Rev. 3:1). They were existing on their past reputation: "You have a name that you are alive" (Rev. 3:1). This rut has become "a grave with both ends knocked out." Someone at such a church may say, "The church here is at peace." This means someone needs to come preach their funeral so they can "rest in peace." There's not enough life to cause a stir about anything, neither good nor bad. A church in the undertaker stage lives in the past. Or, they may think they're a good church because they have much potential that one of these days could be developed, if they really put their mind to it. Also, they think they are a sound church mainly because they have good intentions and theoretically stand for the truth on all the important issues.
As a member of a local church, how do YOU fit into that church's life-cycle? Make sure that you help the local church to renew itself by the Word of Christ in following Christ. Then by "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him" (Eph. 4:15).
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.careydillinger.com/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
MONTHLY BIBLE READING: The Major and Minor Prophets
SUMMER LECTURE SERIES: July 13-18
Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right
Speaker: David Banning of Orlando, Florida
Sunday
The Good News About Raising Kids
Does It Take A Village?
It All Begins With Me
Monday - Friday
Overcoming The Pitfalls: (1) Problems With Peers; (2) Corrupt
Entertainment; (3) Materialism; (4) Sex Too Soon
Letters From Death Row
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and
visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
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