Father’s Day, June 18
The Power of a Father’s Voice
Father’s Day 2023
Joshua 24:14,15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU0f8a3Cizo
The power/impact of a voice doesn’t come from the mere vibration of sound waves.
The power/impact of a voice comes from the source of the voice.
Voice is identity.
We desperately need the voice of the Father echoed in the voices of men and fathers.
According to Wikipedia, traits traditionally viewed as masculine include…
Strength
Courage
Independence
Leadership
Assertiveness
Strength, courage, independence, leadership and assertiveness aren’t exclusively male but they are intrinsically male/father.
Christ infused masculinity lifts people up. It defends the defenseless, protects the vulnerable. It leads the way, clears the way and provides the way for a family, church, community and country to thrive.
Bold Conviction
Exodus 24:14-16 14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!
Father Statement
“My children might not follow my path but it won’t be because they don’t know where I am going.”
Reverse Engineering a Father’s Voice
Bold Conviction is fueled by Courageous Faith.
Courageous Faith is anchored in Spiritual Commission.
Spiritual Commission is preceded by Spiritual Hunger.
Summation: The trailhead to Bold Conviction is a desire and determination to be close to God.
Spiritual Hunger
Exodus 33:7-11
7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
We can’t lead with a penetrating voice of conviction without a personal experience with God.
It takes spiritual hunger to develops a spiritual routine.
A spiritual routine will produce spiritual health and strength.
It takes emotional discipline to be consistent with a spiritual routine.
SPIRITUAL COMMISSION
Dt 31:7-8 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Joshua 1:1-11 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”
Men & fathers the more you feel, and the more you are told, that your voice doesn’t matter the more it really matters.
James 4:7-10 (The Message)
7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
You can lay down your sin.
You can lay down your fear.
You can lay down your weakness.
You can pick up His commissioning, His courage and His conviction!