A Father’s Duty
gtcotr/ss061503
Turn To Genesis 3
Key Scripture: Romans 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Question:
What Do These Men Have In Common?
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Matthew Thornton
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton
John Hancock
Possible Answer:
They Are The 56 Signers Of The Declaration Of Independence
Which Reads In Part:
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. …
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. …
Although That Answer Would Be A Correct One … It’s Not The Answer I Am Looking For This Morning.
The Correct Answer: Survey Says!
The Founding Fathers
The last sentence of that July 4, 1776 Declaration signed by these 56 men, knowing that along with their signature, they were signing their death warrants, reads:
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
You see
Almost any man can be a sperm donor
--- but ---
It takes your life, your fortune and your sacred honor to become a father.
Father’s Willingly Sacrifice To Protect, Defend & Provide For Their Family
& In Many Cases … Their Future Generations
Proverbs 13:22
Physically
Mentally/Emotionally
Spiritually
I. The First Sacrifice
A. Genesis 3:21 ¶ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
B. The True Message Of
Father’s Day Is A Memorial To Love & Sacrifice
II. The Three Elements Of A Father’s Sacrifice
#1. A Willing Father
* Leviticus 1:3
* 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
#2. An Acceptable Sacrifice
* Valuable
* Costly 2 Samuel 24:24
#3. A Resulting Benefit To Others
* The Benefit Gained By Sacrifice Is Of Greater Value Than The Sacrifice Itself
* The benefit determines the true value of the sacrifice
III. Fathers:
* What are you willing to sacrifice that is valuable to you but could be more beneficial to others if you would only let God have it?
* Make:
A Willing Sacrifice
A Valuable & Costly Sacrifice
An Accepted Sacrifice
A Sacrifice That Benefits Others
* Sacrifice Your Self To God
Your Life -- Time
Your Fortunes -- Money
Your Sacred Honor -- Fatherhood
* Men -- Lets Commit To Become Fathers
