Skip to content
Share
Dear Church
June 20, 2021

What My Father Taught Me

by Johnson Bowie
The results of fatherlessness are all around us: godlessness, rebellion, identity issues… For thousands of years, people have said that fathers aren’t necessary, but that isn’t the way the Father intended. God is raising up strong men and fathers who will lead their children to Jesus and leave strong legacies. He is healing us, repairing father wounds, so we can change the story in our families. In part one of our series, hear the top three things Pastor Johnson’s father taught him!
Sermon Notes

Malachi 4:5-6 NKJV

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

“You’re a male by birth but a man by choice.” – Ed Cole

1 Corinthians 4:14-16 NIV

I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

What My Father Taught Me

  1. It takes a lifetime to build a good name but only a moment to ruin it.

Proverbs 22:1 NIV

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

“What do you want to come to people’s minds when they hear your name?”

1 Peter 2:12 NIV

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Timothy 3:7 NIV

He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

What My Father Taught Me

2) How a man is to treat a woman

Statistics:

  • Every 9 seconds, a woman is beaten by a man.
  • 1 out of every 6 women have been the victim of rape.
  • Boys who witness their father’s violence are 10x more likely to engage in spouse abuse.

John 13:3-5 NIV

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

What My Father Taught Me

3) Put Jesus first.

Malachi 4:5-6 NKJV

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

Wherever you are
Take One Step