Text: Matthew 14:1-11
Memory verse:
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”
Matthew 12:33
Let’s conclude our series on the types of fathers by looking at the bad and the good fathers.
Who is the bad father? He has no relationship with Christ, the foundation of all goodness. Only God is good and we become good when our nature is replaced with His. Every man is born with a bad heart (Psa 51:5). The heart of a natural man is described thus: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer 17:9). It’s unnatural for an unregenerate heart to be good. The heart of the unconverted father is desperately wicked. That’s why I pity people who say they are even more comfortable working or having friendship with an unbeliever than a believer and they claim that some believers are even worse than the so called unbelievers! As true as this may be, God’s word is still more reliable. Sooner, the unbeliever’s true nature will be revealed and you will be awestruck. According to our memory verse, a bad tree produces good fruits, if it’s nature is changed, so does a bad heart when it’s nature is changed. A good father continues to bear good fruits as long as he remains connected to His sustenance but bears bad fruits when he disconnects (John 15:5). This is when he begins to work in the flesh.
Herod, the tetrarch, is an example. He celebrated his birthday by entertaining his guests with the seductive dance of Salome, his daughter! Her provocative dance prompted Herod, in his bravado, to offer her up to half of his kingdom! Salome’s dance of death was far rewarded with the head of John, the Baptist! What a wicked legacy!
Bad fathers have no regard for God nor the things that please Him, like Hophni and Phinehas.
“Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord” (1 Sam 2:12 NLT).
Good fathers know the Lord, have regards for Him and positively influence their children and generation after them. They show and teach them God’s ways. Men like Abraham, Job and Jonadab (Gen 18:19; Job 1:5; Jer 35:6).
Friends, what legacy will you leave behind for your children and your generation?
Prayer points
1.Father, please, bring salvation to every father who hasn’t known You in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, keep us connected to You and let Your goodness flow through us to our generation in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. An unregenerate man’s goodness is unnatural and can change suddenly.
2. A good father influences his generation for Christ and leaves behind a godly legacy.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng