Gifts for Father's Day (A Free Christian Sermon)

Father's Day is that day of the year when children get their fathers gifts to express their love and appreciation. Let's turn that around and say that it is also a time for fathers to think about the gifts they give to their children.

Dr. David Blankehorn, in a study of male prisoners, found that one thing that they all shared was the absence of their father growing up. In a negative way, this reminds us that fathers are desperately needed. But not just any kind of father. This Father's Day, we are reminded in this Christian sermon that we need effective fathers - fathers who give their children the gifts they need to become truly successful.

In I Thessalonians 2:7-12, the Apostle Paul, though not writing directly about fathers, does use the imagery of parenting which provides suggestions on gifts that a father can give his children.

The first gift a father can give his children is gentleness (verse 7). Remember when your child was born, how gentle, how careful you were? But we may forget to be tender as they grow bigger. Their bones are stronger and won't break like a baby's. But hearts can still break! And the spirit. We still must be gentle. How gently the father treated his wayward son in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)!

Fathers can so easily be harsh with their children. We say "Kids need to learn their lessons!" Yes, there is a time for that. Our children should learn about natural consequences of their bad decisions. But if they don't experience gentleness, their hearts and spirits can be crushed.

The second gift fathers can give their children this Father's Day, is a shared life (verse 8). Effective fathers speak to their children to teach them. But not only do they share words, they share their life. This is how they learn best - not by what we say - but by what we do. They watch to see how we handle problems, how we talk to others, and how we treat others.

It's often hard for fathers to find this time to share their life with their children. The job is demanding in time and energy requirements. But still we must do our best. Drivers for the J. B. Hunt Trucking Company are expected to call home every night when they are on the road. Here's a company that understands the importance of fathers.

We fathers may have to be creative to find the time for our children that we want, and that they need. Don't put it off. They grow up fast. Find time for them today.

Third, fathers give the gift of their hard work (verse 9). They do it to provide for their families, and to set an example for their families. No one works harder than they do, but they aren't the only one who works. They lead the way for their children to learn the value of hard work.

Charles Barkley, former NBA basketball star, is a millionaire. His daughter doesn't have to do anything. But Barkley said that his daughter wasn't going to be stupid and lazy. He's got plenty of money, but she's not going to do nothing and be nothing. He expected her to work for what she got just as he worked for what he got. So effective fathers work hard but teach their children to work hard too.

Fourth, fathers give the gift of the example of a godly, spiritual life (verse 10). Just one example of the importance of the father's role is seen in church attendance. If both mother and father go to church, 72% of those children will go to church when they are grown. If only the mother goes to church, then only 15% of those grown children will continue to go to church. If only the father goes, then 55% of those grown children go to church as adults. The father's influence is even more important than the mother's in this regard!

Finally, there's the gift of positive influence (verses 11-12). A father is someone who encourages and comforts his children - positively motivating them to live lives for God. Not exasperating them by wearing them down and discouraging them. Did you hear about the little boy who thought his middle name was "don't?" That's all he ever heard from his father! As fathers, let's not spend most of our time correcting our children. Catch them doing something right and praise them for it.

This Father's Day commit yourself to givnig your children these gifts not just on Father's Day but throughout the year. It's my hope that this free Christian sermon will encouage you to do just that.