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DO YOU REALLY WANT WHAT YOU’RE AFTER? TEXT: JUNE 18, 2006
INTRODUCTION- Read Matthew 7:7-11- “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
There used to be a game show on TV called ‘Let’s Make a Deal!’ Remember it? In the game, contestans would have opportunities to win various prizes, like most game shows. The twist came when they were given the opportunity to trade the prize they already had, for a mystery prize that was potentially better… but could be worthless. Many contestants were willing to give up what they had for what was hidden behind door number 3… only to find out that it wasn’t everything they had hoped for.
As we celebrate Father’s Day, I want to task you- in all seriousness- Do you really want what you’re after? Do you really want what you’re working so hard for?
What do I mean? As a dad, I know how hard it is- not because kids are bad, but because we often feel inadequate for the task. Well, we are tempted in a wide variety of ways to want second best for ourselves and our families. We are tempted to want security and comfort and stuff, for ourselves and those we love. Advertising would have us believe that if we had the bodies (including the hair!) of a 20 year old when we’re 45, our wives would love us more… if we took the family to Disney World every year, our kids would love us more... if we directed our kids into high paying professions, our society would respect us more… if we got that next promotion, we could go to that school reunion with our head held high. I wonder, though. To be sure, there is really nothing wrong with those things… but is that all there is? If we are men who take the time to pray, are those really the things we ought to be focusing on in our prayers?
The writer of Ecclesiastes tried everything- work, knowledge, pleasure, wealth- and achieved all of them, and in the end he said what? All things are meaningless. Not that they have no value at all- but as a source of fullfillment in life, they were empty!
I have met and known dads who have been able to attain and achieve some of those things, yet they still struggle with insecurity and doubt, and felt disconnected with their families. I have also known dads who did not have any of these things, and they have been incredibly content and fulfilled, with families who loved and respected them. So what’s up with that?!
There are lots of things I could speak about today on fatherhood, because the Bible is full of lessons and teachings about what it means. Even God is described and chose to reveal Himself as ‘Father!’ But rather than focus on the many attributes of a godly father- which are important!- I want to consider one quality of a godly father that is usually overlooked: the ability to be a godly child.
Dads, this morning I want us to understand- myself included- that our ability to be godly fathers comes from our ability to be trusting surrendered children to our heavenly Father. I want us to be reminded that as we seek to understand how to be better dads and husbands in a culture that makes it more and more difficult to do so with godly integrity, we have a Father who promises to show us the way. He doesn’t promise to give us everything we want- everything we’re after- because he knows that not everything we want is really best for us. He doesn’t promise that we will be able to give our families everything they may want… for exactly the same reason. He doesn’t even promise that there won’t be times of doubt or loss or pain- what He does promise is that we can trust Him. Can I ask you this: Do you trust your Father? Do you trust that even though you don’t always get what you ask for, even when it makes not logical sense, that your heavenly Father knows what is best? Do you trust His heart, His goodness, and His love? Of all the things we can do for our families, none is more important than understanding and living in right relationship with our Father.
Last week, I challenged our graduates not to settle or play it safe with their lives. Not to slide into the routine or the expectations the world may have for them, because God may have a totally unique and unexpected plan for their lives that makes little or no sense to those outside the family of God- and maybe to some of those within it! The point being, walking with God is not safe and secure and predictable- but it is to live a life that counts and brings an adventure all its own.
I think we need the same challenge and encouragement, dads. If the other things still fall into place and we are able to enjoy them, great- but let’s not settle for making them the goals of our lives… the standards by which we judge our successes and failures as a father, a husband… as a man.
In 1 Kings, there is a story where God makes an incredible offer to King Solomon.
That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied, “You were wonderfully kind to my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued this great kindness to him today by giving him a son to succeed him. O Lord my God, now you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am among your own chosen people, a nation so great they are too numerous to count! Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of yours?” The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s reply and was glad that he had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people and have not asked for a long life or riches for yourself or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding mind such as no one else has ever had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and honor! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:5-14, NLT)
If God made that offer to you, what would you ask? I really don’t think it would be for another trip, or another toy- again, not that we can’t enjoy those things… but there is so much more that is important. Dad’s, let ask God for the wisdom to lead our families in godliness… for the ability to instill within our children a love for God and compassionate hearts… for the ability to love our wives as the incredible gifts they are… for the desire to seek and the ability to trust the Father heart of God. He really does love us! Let our desire not be to see our children get everything they want, but for them to discover and live the lives God has for them, whatever those lives may look like. Because that is also the life our Father longs to give us.
(To close the message, a NOOMA DVD was shown, featuring Rob Bell. For more information on this wonderful series of DVD messages- each 10 to 13 minutes in length- please contact the church office)
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