A FATHER'S EXAMPLE

TEXT- MATTHEW 3:13-17

INTRODUCTION

SINCE TODAY IS FATHER'S DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ON THE TOPIC OF THE FATHER'S ROLE WITHIN THE FAMILY.

ONE NIGHT A WIFE FOUND HER HUSBAND STANDING OVER THEIR BABY'S CRIB.  SILENTLY SHE WATCHED HIM. AS HE STOOD THERE LOOKING DOWN AT THE SLEEPING INFANT, SHE SAW ON HIS FACE A MIXTURE OF EMOTIONS: DISBELIEF, DOUBT, DELIGHT, AMAZEMENT, EXCITEMENT, AND SKEPTICISM.  TOUCHED BY THIS UNUSUAL DISPLAY OF DEEP EMOTIONS, WITH TEARY EYES SHE SLIPPED HER ARM AROUND HER HUSBAND. "A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS," SHE SAID. "IT'S AMAZING!" HE REPLIED SOFTLY.  "I JUST DON'T SEE HOW ANYBODY CAN BUILD A BABY BED LIKE THAT FOR ONLY $46.50!"

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN MATTHEW 3:13-17 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "A FATHER'S EXAMPLE."

OFTEN ON FATHER'S DAY WE HEAR ABOUT THE NEED FOR FATHERS TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

BUT HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHERE A FATHER GETS HIS EXAMPLE?

BOTH MOTHERS AND FATHERS NEED TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW, BUT WHO SETS THE EXAMPLE FOR THE PARENTS TO FOLLOW?

IN VERSE 17 WE FIND GOD THE FATHER SPEAKING TO HIS SON JESUS.

WITHIN THE BIBLE GOD THE FATHER SPOKE TO JESUS ON ONLY THREE OCCASIONS.

AT HIS BAPTISM

AT HIS TRANSFIGURATION

JUST BEFORE HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS (JOHN 12:28)

HERE IN OUR TEXT AT THE BAPTISM OF JESUS WE FIND THREE THINGS IN THE STATEMENT THAT THE FATHER MADE TO HIS SON THAT SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE FOR EVERY FATHER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

AS GOD THE FATHER SPOKE TO HIS SON, HE GAVE HIM THREE THINGS THAT EVERY CHILD NEEDS FROM THEIR FATHER.