Dads and Fathers by Brother Duke Hansen

         What is the world spiritually and physically? Scripture tells us that we need to separate form the world but d we know the extent and details of what the world is? This morning, as we recognize Fathers Day, we will be reading from the book of 1 John chapter 12. We will be reading from verse 12.

        12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

        Little children is not a literal description. It's a metaphor for newborn Christian believers. Little children are perfect in his name's sake. There are expectations that come with a child. You're transformed but you also have baggage from the world you need to unpack.

        13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

        The term father in this verse is not an actual father. John is referring to the Jewish people. Children don't know a lot of things in life. The word father is repeated at the end of verse 13 with an uppercase F, noting Jesus.

        14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning, I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

        There are a lot of dads this day and very few fathers. To be a proper father is to study and practice the verses in the bible. There's a lot of responsibility and devotion that defines a father. It is not glamorous and not immediately seen. Dad's are often busy with their own life in the world and often don't have time or the consistency to be a father. Everyone knows a lot more dads in the world than father. 

        15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,  the love of the Father is not in him.

        When you are born again, you not only think like a child but walk like a child. It's always the definition of the thing that's the problem with our flesh. Things are where we have problems. If you are more in love with the world than Jesus, you are a dad and not a father.

        16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

        There's a spirit, an emotion which drives your flesh to ruin. That is the spirit of desire. The absence of the holy ghost leaves you open and vulnerable.

        Let's go to the book of Galatians chapter 5. We will read verses 16 and 17.

        16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

        17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

        Desire, want, greed, emotion, feelings. These are things you have to contend with in life. The flesh is separate from the eye. The pride of life is very dangerous. Money and the want of it is the common denominator among all classes of people. Some handle it different than others.

        What does the world do? It seduces you. It sells you on an idea. Most of us miss the simple and important things in life because you are in the grind, nose down, and chasing a dollar the world has more ways to take from you.

        Pay attention to the things which catch your eye. An issue to you is an open door to temptation. Pride of life, greed, puffed up. You care how it looks to yourself and others.

        If you want to grow in to being a father, you are going to need to lay down the world. The world is wickedness. You love the world. Let's go back to our place in 1 John.

        17 And the world passeth away and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

        18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

        19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that thet might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

        They left because they are not a part of us. It's easy to see those who aren't like you. Let them go from your life. This is why prayer is the most important tool for us to use.

        20 But ye have an unction from from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

        21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

        John knows that the reader knows the truth. He asks why do you fall for a lie? He wrote the various temptations in verse 16.

        22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

        You have to ignore key parts of Jesus' story to fall for the lie. Men would rather work to be smarter and look smart than submit to God. We have a struggle to be right. It doesn't matter if you are right. You could be right, but your representation is off and horrible.

        God can only do as much for you as what you give to him. What do you have in your house that God can work with in your life?

        It's those who are dumb that argue over trivial things, that we have to always be right, stubborn, and follow an antichrist spirit. Let's go to the next chapter of 1 John and read verses 8 and 9.

        8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

        9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

        Jesus didn't come to the world to send people to hell. He came to bring people unto repentance and remission. If we are going to take this journey, we need to allow, to be alert, to study, to fervently pray. Sin will corrupt the vessel that the Holy Spirit resides and the Spirit will leave. It will nor inhabit an unclean vessel.

        Any of you want to progress, to grow your faith, examine yourself. Dissect what the world is, what appeals to your 5 senses. Search and examine yourself today.