Fatherhood requires ENDURING focus on Jesus. (12:1-4)

 

5 Enemies of Fatherhood

Anger

Laziness

Distraction

Selfishness

Passivity

 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.5 million children, more than 1 in 4 (25%), live without a father in the home.

 

Fatherhood requires DISCIPLINE both personally and to those we lead. (12:5-10)

 

Discipline is established in the WORD

Discipline is a demonstration of LOVE

Discipline yields ENDURANCE

Discipline authenticates SONSHIP

Discipline calls for RESPECT

Discipline with urgent DEPENDENCY

 

Fatherhood requires a relentless pursuit of Holiness with eternity in mind. (12:11-14)

 

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

 

Hebrews 12:1-14 ESV

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.