Unimaginable Impact
III John 1:3-4
For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Father’s Day is approaching.
As my own sons are men now, I admit, I question myself.
What impact have I had in their lives?
Did I speak the Gospel Of Christ to them enough?
Was I able to show them how to walk in His Strength? Be quick to repent and quick to forgive.
Were kindness, mercy and love given out.
Was it nothing but wrath and discipline?
So many things I would have done differently. Sometimes we do what we can with what we know.
Did I have enough Truth Of the Gospels in my heart to display it openly and fully with no compromise and no embarrassment!
Did I show them myself or did I show them Christ?
It’s not a matter of what I showed them but who!
Did I show them how to walk in the Truth of Jesus Christ!
I’m sure I’m not the only Father that raised that question in their hearts.
I speak a lot about leaving a legacy for my sons. I talk quite a bit about inheritance.
When the Lord decides that my time here is done can I rest assured that the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will carry on in my family. Or will the Truth end with me!
Fathers have an Unimaginable Impact in their children’s lives.
My dad was one of the best Firefighters the City of Albuquerque has ever known!
I remember when I was a young teenager my dad was getting ready for work one evening. He was packing a bag getting ready for his shift.
The last thing he put in it was a Bible.
Before it got packed I picked it up looked at it and asked him
‘Have you ever read this?’.
Reading the Word of God was not common practice in our home. We went to Church just about every Sunday morning, but to JUST read the Word of God any other day was unknown.
He looked at me and said ‘I sure have’.
I couldn’t believe that my hero had a Hero of His own.
Then He looked at me and said,
“I have read it twice.’
It was the last thing he packed in his bag.
I didn’t realize at that time that it was the most important thing he carried with him.
I truly don’t think he remembers that time, and that’s ok because I do!
It was quick, almost just in passing.
But my dad didn’t or doesn’t realize how that small moment in time had tremendously impacted me.
If you were to meet my dad, you would know that there is something very special about him.
I just recently figured out why, he has always walked in TRUTH.
No compromise no matter what!
There is patience and kindness that seems to be never ending.
There is wisdom and knowledge.
There is leadership and humility.
There is a steadfastness in his heart to what is TRUE!
NEVER can I remember him not walking in that Truth.
To walk in truth means to walk consistent with the truth you believe.
If you believe that you have fallen in your sin, eventually you will walk and get tired of your falling down.
If you believe you are a child of God, then walk like a child of Heaven.
If you have taught your household the Truth then they too will walk in it.
If you believe you are forgiven because of what Jesus did on the Cross for you, then walk like a forgiven person.
If you teach those that are under your care that Jesus will forgive their Confessed Sins and He will remember them no more ,then they will walk in assurance that there is a Savior !
Then there is no greater joy than to hear that your Children walk in truth. That they will have eternal life.
Even when life on this earth is over, when we take our last breath here,wouldn’t it be the Greatest joy to know that one day you will be joined again.
But an even Greater Joy, to be reunited with your Lord and Savior.
To be able to see Him in all of His Glory! Then to know that they too will see the Lord in His complete promise!
This what every dad’s goal should be for the children!
We have an amazing responsibility.
We will fail at some point in the responsibility that the Lord has presented to us. There will be doubts and worries that come to our minds.
How dedicated are you willing to be to The Gospel of Jesus Christ?
And are you willing to separate yourself from the things of this world?
Are you willing to take a stand for the souls of your loved ones?
Preach the Gospel and see what the Lord will do. Teach it to them and see just how far they will go! Live the Gospel and see how they react!
It’s never too late. As long as we have breath as long as we have Blood flowing Veins then we can still be used by God to reach those in our responsibility, those in our House.
As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
Believe that, live that and teach that and see what The Lord will do.
Do not allow any in your household to miss out on the Inheritance the Lord has waiting for them.
Proverbs 13:22 NKJV
[22] A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
What is a good man or a good father?
One that lives his life not trying to impress man or gain the riches of this world.
A good man, a good father, lives his life in a way that honors His Father in Heaven with no restraint or self restrictions.
He lives his life in a manner that is worthy for the Glory of the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness of His Savior.
Our hearts will ask the questions of ‘did I do enough’.
The answer to that would be no.
But what you say, how you react, the amount of forgiveness you show, the amount of forgiveness you give will have enormous impact.
The love, the compassion,mercy and grace you show will shadow the Savior you believe in and serve.
Your inheritance will start there.
The inheritance that my dad was leaving for me all started when a Bible was being packed in a bag, with an honest question and an honest answer.
Even in the littlest things God can use for the greatest impact on the hearts closest to you!
For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Happy Father’s Day
Pastor Ed