Biblical Leadership

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-11-2026

1 Corinthians 11:1-16

 

Introduction:

A.  Paul continued the context of chapter 10 in chapter 11.  This is a very important chapter, as every one of us must follow and set an example for those who follow us.  As kids, we would play “Follow the Leader.” 

 

1.  He began with his responsibility in spiritual leadership and the believer’s responsibility to follow such.  You will never be a good leader if you are not a good follower.   

 

2.  We must follow a good example before we become one.  Paul said that the Corinthian believers were to follow him as he also followed Christ.  This is not blind following.  If the blind follow the blind, they both end up in the ditch!

 

B.  God gave gifts to the church, the evangelist and pastor/teacher, who were to set proper examples of following Christ before the people.  The people were to follow these men of God AS they also follow Christ.  This poses a two-fold problem for the end-time local churches.

 

1.  People blindly follow pastors who teach and do unbiblical things.  This creates congregations that have no idea what the Bible teaches and are, therefore, doctrinally incorrect.

 

2.  Then there are those people who refuse to follow pastors who preach the Bible and live a consistent life for Christ.  Laodicea means “The rights of the people!”  We are certainly there!

 

C.  Paul now moves from the leadership of the church to leadership in the home in verse 3.  Why is the home important?  A couple of things need to be explained first. 

 

1.  This section of Scripture is not about superiority or inferiority, as both the man and the woman are irreplaceable in the structure of both the home and the local church. 

 

2.  It is about authority and submission, which bring glory to someone other than self.  Each individual mentioned in verse 3 has a position to be filled and someone else to be glorified. 

 

3.  This section is important because the home was the first corporate union that the Lord created.  One man, one woman, living in harmony with God, was God’s plan for us to follow.

 

4.  It is also important because everything rises or falls upon the condition of our homes.  As goes the home, so goes the local church; as goes the home, so goes the nation; as goes the home, so go the children. 

 

D.  Chapter 11 shows the proper structure of a godly home.  God the Father, God the Son, the husband, and the woman. Verse 3 spells this out clearly so that no one can misunderstand this pattern.

 

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

 

1.  The Head of everything is God the Father.  “the head of Christ is God!”  The Bible says that all that we do is to be for the glory of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

John 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

 

John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

 

2.  The Head of the man is Christ.  “the head of every man is Christ” 

 

Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body.

 

a.  We live in the days when men follow their wives instead of vice versa.  As many homes are out of order, so are many churches and denominations.

 

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 

1 Timothy 3:12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

 

b.  The husband is to be led by Christ so as to properly lead his wife.  In so many homes, the wife is more spiritual than the husband, leading them to think that if the man won’t do it, then I must step in and take his place. 

 

c.  The husband is not to be a dictator. 

 

Ephesians 5:22-25  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.  (25)  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

Ephesians 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

1 Peter 3:6-7  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  (7)  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

3.  The Head of the woman is the Man.  “The head of the woman is the man.”  Let me say this as we begin this last section: ladies, you are blessed!  Your accountability to God is your home and children.  The husband’s accountability is much greater, as to whom much is given, much is required.

 

Genesis 3:16-17  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

 

Ephesians 5:21-28  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  (22)  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

 

a.  The submission of the wife is important because the woman is the glory of the man (verse 7).  Behind every good man, there is a good woman!  The woman is the husband’s “Crown of Glory!”

 

1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

b.  The submission of the wife is important because of why she was created and what she was created for.

 

1 Corinthians 11:8-10  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.  (10)  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

c.  The submission of the wife is important because of Eve’s deception. 

 

1 Corinthians 11: 10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

1)  It amazes me that most commentaries either do not understand this verse or ignore it because it is not popular.

 

2)  The woman was subject to angelic deception!  Eve set the standard in Genesis chapter 3.  The serpent was the angel Lucifer’s tool of deception.

 

a)  The Woman’s Creation. 1 Corinthians 11:8-9  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 

 

b)  The Woman’s Glory.  1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

c)  The Woman’s Deception.  1 Corinthians 11:10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

 

2 Corinthians 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

 

Genesis 3:13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat

 

1 Timothy 2:11-15  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing (Messianic Prophecy), if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

 

d.  The Woman’s Exception.  The husband is to love and rule his wife righteously.

 

Ephesians 5:25, 28  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  …  (28)  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

 

1)  The woman’s obligation is to live with him as long as you can while living for the Lord.

 

1 Corinthians 7:13-14  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  (14)  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 

 

1 Peter 3:1-2  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  (2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

 

2)  The woman’s release.  If the unbelieving husband leaves, let him depart.  The marriage vows no longer apply.

 

1 Corinthians 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

 

4.  Ephesians 5-6 expands the order of the home to its children.  The Heads of the children are Dad and Mom!

 

Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  (2)  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)  (3)  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

All Things Are Yours

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-16-2025

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Last week, we examined an old heresy, the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which God hates.  The clergy over the laity.  In our case, the intellectual, or educated, superior to the uneducated,.  God finished with this: “Let no man glory in men!”  Look at verse 23. 

 

1 Corinthians 3:23  And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

 

B.  Here, we find the equality of the children of God.  We are all in Christ, and He gets the glory!

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-13  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  (13)  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

Galatians 3:26-29  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

C.  There is structure in the local church, but the upper echelon, pastor and deacons, are servants to the church!

 

D.  Our text is found in verses 21-22. These verses certainly put down the theology that we Christians are “as poor as a church mouse!” Sometimes we do not get the things that we want because they are not "good things" or not the will of God for us.

 

1 Corinthians 3:21-22  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;  (22)  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

 

1 Corinthians 4:8  Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

 

Psalms 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 

Psalms 34:9-10  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. 

 

E.  The Lord has supplied our needs:

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Psalms 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

 

F.  The Lord has supplied our desires:

 

Psalms 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 

G.  All that I can say is that “the Lord has been so good to us!”  Verse 21 – “For all things are yours … Verse. 22 – “all are yours”  Let us look at the things between these two statements and see what we have in Christ.

 

1.  The Lord Has Provided For Our Spiritual Needs – “Paul, Apollos, or Cephas”

 

Paul, who founded the Church, and was instrumental in their salvation.

 

Apollos, who doctrinally grounded the Church.

 

Cephas, whose surname was Peter, who was the Apostle to the Jews.  This is interesting because Cephas is mentioned as one area of division in chapter one.  There were evidently Jewish believers at Corinth.

 

1 Corinthians 1:12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

 

Ephesians 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; (passing gifts) and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers (permanent gifts);  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

a.  For the perfecting of the saints – John 21:15-17  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

1 Peter 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

 

b.  For the work of the ministry – 2 Corinthians 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 

1 Timothy 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

 

c.  For the edifying of the body of Christ - 2 Timothy 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

 

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2.  The Lord Has Provided For Our Pleasure – “the world” – Verse 22

 

Ecclesiastes 2:22-24  For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?  For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.  There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

1 Timothy 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

 

Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

Ecclesiastes 2:22-24  For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?  (23)  For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.  (24)  There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

 

Ecclesiastes 8:15  Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

 

3.  The Lord Has Provided For Our Physical Needs – “or life”

 

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

Psalms 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

 

2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

4.  The Lord Has Provided For Our Future Needs – “death, or things present, or things to come”

 

a.  An Eternal Love When We Fail - Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

b.  An Eternal Home When We Die - Philippians 1:21-23  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Them Which Have The Rule Over You: Divine Authority

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-30-2020

Hebrews 13:7

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Tonight, I want to continue to explore the biblical relationship of the pastor to the local church.  We looked at:

 

1.  The Pastor – God’s Gift to the Local Church.

 

2.  The Dual Obligations of the Pastor and the Local Church.

 

B.  Tonight, I want to look at the word “rule.”  What does it mean when the pastor is to rule over the flock or local church?  We need to remember that God is a God of order! 

 

1 Corinthians 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

 

C.  I have heard the saying, “Anything with two heads is a freak and will normally die.”  Thus, the local church.  If there are more than one in charge, the church will normally implode to some degree.

 

D.  The word “rule” in all its different forms is used 259x in 247 verses in your Bible.  Because of this fact, you do not want me to study them all tonight!  God established divine authority in all things that He did. 

 

1.  The Authority of God – we are all accountable to God!

 

2.  The Authority in marriage – the man.

 

3.  The Authority in the Nation of Israel – the Priesthood and kings.

 

4.  The Authority in government – God set up government and commanded obedience.

 

5.  The Authority of the local church – The Lord Jesus Christ and the pastor He sends.

 

E.    All of us are to be under authority of some type and human nature rebels against it. 

 

F.  First, I want to apply a couple principles of Biblical Hermeneutics.

 

1.  First Mention - Genesis 1:16-18  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.  (17)  And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,  (18)  And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

 

The sun, moon, and stars were given for benefit of those under them.  Three main reasons are for them is to give:

 

a)  Sun – to give Light –Man is work in the day – the pastor is to guide the work.

 

b)  Moon – to give Comfort – a light in the darkness of this world – the pastor is to give comfort.

 

c)  Stars – to give Guidance – the pastor is to guide you right.

 

2.  Last Mention - Revelation 19:15-16  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

Divine Authority (the Word of God - out of His mouth) and Strict Adherence (Authority - a rod of iron).

 

G.  How should a pastor rule over the flock and individuals in a spiritual manner that is consistent with the Word of God? 

 

1.  That is the “resting place” or “mid-point” of a pendulum’s swing.  The pendulum’s swings far to the left and far to the right but finds its balance in the middle. 

 

2.  To the far to the left and the people must rule themselves; to far to the right and the pastor becomes a dictator.

 

1.  Ruling right must be done justly and in the fear of God.

 

2 Samuel 23:3  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

 

a.  Just – to be right; to be moral.

 

b.  In the fear of God – moral reverence; in the fear of the Lord.

 

2.  Ruling right must be done in equality. 

 

Romans 2:11  For there is no respect of persons with God.

 

James 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

 

3.  Ruling right must be done in compassion.

 

1 Peter 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

 

4.  Ruling right must be done in realization.

 

1 Peter 5:2-4  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  (3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  (4)  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

 

A pastor must have the spiritual maturity (not a novice), wisdom, and boldness (taking the oversight thereof - “the flock of God”). 

 

The “flock of God” must have the spiritual maturity, wisdom, and meekness to allow the pastor to do such!

Father’s Day

Temple Baptist Church - 6-17-2018

Joshua 24:15

Introduction: 

A.  Father’s Day normally takes a back seat to Mother’s Day and I have no problem with that.  We need to make much of our precious wives and mothers because of their great importance to the family structure.  We make much of the ladies and need to do so because we love them and are proud of them.

B.  This is Father’s Day and today we will exalt the man and praise him for the position that the Lord gave to him. 

1.  He is the glory of his children - Proverbs 17:6   Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of childrenare their fathers.  (Dads, you are so very important in the lives of your family and especially in the lives of your children!)

2.  He is the head of his home - 1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  (The father is the spiritual leader and as goes the father, so goes the home!  Weak fathers = weak homes.  Strong fathers = strong homes. Spiritual fathers = spiritual home.)

a)  We, as fathers, need to take that responsibility seriously!

b)  The wife is to willingly give him that headship.  Dr. B. R. Lakin used to say, “Some husbands are so henpecked that they roost on the foot of the bed at night.”  America needs some men who are born again with a strong spiritual backbone who will begin to lead their family.

C.  Only time and eternity will show the real importance of men in both the family and the work of the Lord.   I am taking a very familiar passage about Joshua, one of the greatest men in biblical history.  The man God chose to replace Moses with and lead the children of Israel into the promised land.

D.  In our text, we find that wonderful testimony of Joshua as he declared to the people that he and his house would serve the Lord.  

1.  Joshua is well known in the Bible for his unwavering faith, commitment, and fearlessness in battle. 

Joshua 10:12  Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

2.  Joshua was a man of God! Being a good father takes preparation before you become one.  Most young men are looking for a good wife while giving little thought to the prospect of fatherhood. 

E.  I want to look at the life of Joshua this morning to see how he progressed to the point of saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  What made Joshua a man to lead both Israel and his home?

Numbers 27:15-20  And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,  (16)  Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,  (17)  Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.  (18)  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;  (19)  And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.  (20)  And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

1.  Joshua learned to make War.  Exodus 17:9-13  And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.  (10)  So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  (11)  And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  (12)  But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  (13)  And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  (Men will never make good Fathers until they are willing to learn to fight.  Men need to learn to fight the right fights.  Men need to learn war.)

Psalms 144:1  A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

2.  Joshua learned to be Wise.  Exodus 17:14  And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.  (Good fathers need to have learned wisdom that comes through our forefathers and history.  Good fathers pray about and make good decisions as their families depend upon them.)

3.  Joshua learned to Work.  Exodus 24:13  And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.  (Good fathers have a good work ethic.  Your responsibility is to provide financially and set an example of hard work for the children to follow.  This also gives wives confidence in the man’s desire and ability to make the home safe and provided for.)

4.  Joshua learned to Worship.  Exodus 33:11  And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.  (He served before Moses before God allowed him to lead.  One day, young men will lead their homes.  They will never learn to be good leaders until they learn to be good followers.  Leading by example.  As time progresses, we are seeing more women step up and more men spiritually setting down.)

5.  Joshua learned to Wait.  Numbers 14:6-9  And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:  (7)  And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.  (8)  If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.  (9)  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. (After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land.  He had done no wrong but never complained during the time of wandering, trusting God’s wisdom.)

Joshua 1:1-2  Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,  (2)  Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 

5.  Joshua learned to be Worthy.  Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.  (I find no macho in this verse.  I am confident that Joshua’s family were completely behind his decision to serve the Lord.  His family fully followed Joshua because of his past record of living, loving, and leading in a godly manner.)

Happy Father’s Day!  I love the men of this church!  Be a good Christian and then you will be a good Dad!