Fear or Faith? Which Drives Your Behavior?
Notes
Transcript
Or How a Father’s Faith Helped Deliver a Nation
Introduction: I Cor. 10:1-12 twice emphasizes that the events of Israel’s Exodus were written down for our learning. Therefore, let us take as our theme for the next few messages: Life Lessons from the Exodus. Now there are many different events that we could analyze for receiving instruction, but since today is Father’s Day, let us pick one that is particularly applicable to fathers. Hebrews 11:23 gives us insight into a characteristic of Moses’ father that we as fathers can seek to emulate. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. As the head of the home, the father takes the lead in establishing the atmosphere of the home. Notice that the writer to the Hebrews contrasts two words that can impact our actions: fear and faith. And so I ask you fathers here this morning: Fear or Faith? Which Drives Your Behavior? Let us then look at three characteristics of the culture of the home that Amram’s faith helped create.
I. Amram’s Faith Helped Create a Culture of Love (Ex. 2:1-10)
I. Amram’s Faith Helped Create a Culture of Love (Ex. 2:1-10)
Explanation: A child is extremely unlikely to have the right character formed in him in an atmosphere where the parents are spending more time arguing with each other than training the child. The father that loves his wife in a godly manner provides for her and their children an environment where love allows the entire family to flourish and godly character to be formed.
A. His household chose to risk their lives to prevent a child’s certain death (Ex. 2:1-2)
A. His household chose to risk their lives to prevent a child’s certain death (Ex. 2:1-2)
B. His household chose the good of others over more selfish desires (Ex. 2:3-10)
B. His household chose the good of others over more selfish desires (Ex. 2:3-10)
Explanation: Only when we recognize that we are only stewards of our children, that in reality they belong to God, can we be willing to give our children to God and often we will receive them back from him (Heb. 11:17-19)
II. Amram’s Faith Helped Create a Culture of Nurture (Ex. 2:9-10)
II. Amram’s Faith Helped Create a Culture of Nurture (Ex. 2:9-10)
A. A child’s character is molded during the early, formative years (Ex. 2:9)
A. A child’s character is molded during the early, formative years (Ex. 2:9)
B. Though with his family for a relatively short time, after many years in Pharaoh’s house Moses still identified with God’s people (Ex. 2:11-13)
B. Though with his family for a relatively short time, after many years in Pharaoh’s house Moses still identified with God’s people (Ex. 2:11-13)
Argumentation: A father who exhibits indifference to the things of God rather than love for the things of God will be unlikely to inspire such dedication to God in his household (Gen. 18:19). One startling bit of research conducted by the Christian Business Men's Committee found the following: When the father is an active believer, there is about a seventy-five percent likelihood that the children will also become active believers. But if only the mother is a believer, this likelihood is dramatically reduced to fifteen percent.
C. Though with his family for a relatively short time, Moses grew up to exhibit the Godly characteristic of Meekness (Num. 12:3)
C. Though with his family for a relatively short time, Moses grew up to exhibit the Godly characteristic of Meekness (Num. 12:3)
D. Though with his family for a relatively short time, Moses grew up to defend those who deserved defending (Ex. 2:16-17)
D. Though with his family for a relatively short time, Moses grew up to defend those who deserved defending (Ex. 2:16-17)
III. Amram’s Faith Helped Create a Culture of Obedience (Ex. 3:1-4:31)
III. Amram’s Faith Helped Create a Culture of Obedience (Ex. 3:1-4:31)
A. Amram and Jochebed obeyed God by refusing to kill their child in spite of possible consequences (Ex. 2:1-2; Heb. 11:23)
A. Amram and Jochebed obeyed God by refusing to kill their child in spite of possible consequences (Ex. 2:1-2; Heb. 11:23)
B. Moses obeyed God’s call in spite of feeling inadequate for the task (Ex. 3:1-4:17)
B. Moses obeyed God’s call in spite of feeling inadequate for the task (Ex. 3:1-4:17)
C. Moses obeyed God’s call in spite of the upheaval it caused his family (Ex. 4:18-20)
C. Moses obeyed God’s call in spite of the upheaval it caused his family (Ex. 4:18-20)
Conclusion: Fathers, fear or faith? Which one drives your behavior? It all starts with saving faith. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ and Him alone to save you? That is the foundation of a home that exhibits a culture of love, nurture, and obedience. What is a Godly Father?
He teaches kindness by being thoughtful and gracious even at home. He teaches patience by being gentle and understanding over and over.
He teaches patience by being gentle and understanding over and over. He teaches honesty by keeping his promises to his family even when it costs.
He teaches honesty by keeping his promises to his family even when it costs. He teaches courage by living unafraid with faith, in all circumstances.
He teaches courage by living unafraid with faith, in all circumstances. He teaches justice by being fair and dealing equally with everyone.
He teaches justice by being fair and dealing equally with everyone. He teaches obedience to God's Word by precept and example as he reads and prays daily with his family.
He teaches obedience to God's Word by precept and example as he reads and prays daily with his family. He teaches love for God and His Church as he takes his family regularly to all the services.
He teaches love for God and His Church as he takes his family regularly to all the services. His steps are important because others follow
His steps are important because others follow.