Father's Day 2021*

Today is Father's Day. Scripture has much to say about the important role of both natural fathers, and spiritual fathers: "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days maay be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Deut. 5:16). We recognize this as one of the Ten Commandments, and it is the first commandment with a promise and a blessing connected to it. The word "honour" is used here in the treatment of parents. The Hebrew word translated as "Honour", kabad, means the glory associated with God, Himself. We see in our own country very little honoring of parents anymore. We are losing the specific promise and blessing associated with obedience to this commandment. Jesus challenged the religious leadership of His time, the scribes and Pharisees, who conveniently relied upon religious tradition, rather than the this commandment of God in regard to the treatment of their parents. They withheld financial help to their parents with the excuse that the money was set aside to give to God instead. Jesus called them hypocrites for this self-serving faithlessness to the Word of God: "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the ommandments of men." (See Mt. 15:1-9). Traditions cannot replace the Word of Truth. The Apostle Paul also wrote about the importance of this commandment: "Children, obey (give ear under, to hear, learn, understand) your parents in the LORD: for this is right (righteous, observing divine laws). Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Eph. 6:1-3). Paul also included the promise of a long life as being associated with this commandment. Then Paul wrote about the responsibility of fatherhood: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (instruction, chastening, discipline) and admonition (mild rebuke, calling attention to) of the Lord." (v. 4). Fathers have a role in training their children in Godly principles, not in a manner that causes children to become angry and rebellious, but in a manner of teaching and correction that brings forth the fruits of righteousness in the child, and willing obedience. Both fathers and children have a purpose - to obey the Word of God. Paul also wrote regarding both the Church's and the world's disregarding of the fatherly role of an apostle. He wrote of the sacrifice of honor that is found in the calling of the apostle: "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised...being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day." (1 Cor. 4:9-13). In saying these things, Paul said, he is warning the Church, as beloved sons, about this prevailng attitude of disregard towards apostles, and adds: "For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." (v. 14-16). It is the heart of a father, that sacrifices all, even his own reputation, for his children in Christ. There are many teachers, but they are not called to sacrifice in the same way. Even today, the Church fails to recognize apostles and prophets. If they DO recognize them, they fail to honour their position as fathers in the Gospel who have sacrificed all so that their "children" may spiritually prosper and excel. Even though not all are called to apostleship, Paul begged the saints to "follow" him, to follow him as a father who sacrifices all so that they can benefit in Christ. As the LORD said to the priests of Israel through His prophet Malachi: "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name..." (Mal. 1:6). The priests wondered at how they had dishonored God. Their dishonor of the Father was found in their insincere, inferior, and less than honorable offerings, where, as Jesus told the religious leaders above, the true honor, or lack of it, towards a father/Father is revealed. Many over the years have been birthed in the Gospel as "sons" through this apostolic ministry. You have not many fathers, but there is a spiritual father here. If you have been blessed and fed by this ministry, let your offerings to God reflect this, and help us to carry the Gospel to others. There is a great need for the Gospel of Christ, but how can we go unless we are sent? *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/20/21 message to the Church. To contact, or to purchase Dr. Stevenson's new book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com