Patriarchy – Where are the Men?

Preparatory Reading: Isaiah 3

Introduction:

1. You have had read in your hearing, Isaiah 3:1-26, which records God’s judgment on Israel by removing men.
   1. A patriarchy is the rule of men, which Israel was until God replaced their men with women and children.
   2. This judgment was for the sins of the wicked men and the haughty sins of the fashion-obsessed women.
   3. We live in a similar world and nation today, and it is needful for righteous men to stand up and be noble.
2. Last Sunday was Father’s Day, but today’s sermon is to speak to fathers and about fathers, for last Lord’s Day was used to preach the duty of all to occupy with kingdom duties until He comes, in which the men must lead.
3. Many things will be said about fathers … and about men … because great fathers must first be great men.
4. The greatest societal need of this world, this country, the churches, after preachers, is godly and great fathers.
5. Most deficiencies or problems may be traced quite easily to lack of preachers or AWOL fathers shirking duty.
6. This church continues to have births – as mothers conceive and deliver – but the key parent always is a father.
7. Every boy or man is or will be a father; he must set his heart now to guide his life to be an extraordinary one.
8. As David said of the temple, families are not for man, but God, to be exceeding magnifical (I Chr 29:1; 22:5).
9. Fathering children biologically does not prove any superiority over street mutts impregnating bitch dogs.
10. The greatest measure of love for another is to help them please Jesus Christ now and stand before Him soon!
11. If you are male and think for some reason this sermon does not apply, you are forfeiting your highest calling.
12. Wives and children, you will be reminded of patriarchy today; you can help by obeying the men in your lives.
    1. A marriage starts when a woman says, “As the LORD liveth, I will,” swearing submission and reverence.
    2. A marriage lasts as a woman says daily to herself, “As the LORD liveth, what can I do today for him?”
    3. To the degree you balk, question, suggest, resist, or do not gladly and reverently submit, you are odious.
    4. To the degree you are odious by this active or passive or subconscious rebellion, you destroy families.
13. Men too immature or rebellious to get this lesson sin twice for a wife and many times over for her children.
14. Marriage is extremely critical, for a wife loses her life to her husband and children lose theirs to their father.

The Definition

1. Patriarch. The father and ruler of a family or tribe; spec. (pl.) in N.T., and uses thence derived, the twelve sons of Jacob, from whom the tribes of Israel were descended (Oxford English Dictionary).
2. Patriarchy. A patriarchal system of society or government; government by the father or the eldest male of the family; a family, tribe, or community so organized (Oxford English Dictionary).
3. Luke used patriarchs specifically for the ten sons of Jacob that sold Joseph into Egypt (Acts 7:8-9).
4. Cultures, churches, families can be described as patriarchal or matriarchal. Do men or women rule?
   1. Who keeps the culture productive, the church alive, or the family together? It better be the men!
   2. The Bible is very patriarchal from God as Father to male church rulers and fathers over families.
   3. This matter is not a cultural choice but rather a spiritual choice to honor God and do things right.
   4. Every man with physical and spiritual testosterone must marry a submissive wife or make her so.
   5. Matriarchal societies of any kind, anywhere, are a ludicrous joke compared to any patriarchy.
   6. It is a fact that in this effeminate age and culture, men abdicate most everything to their wives.
   7. Women are not spiritual leaders of homes, and they should not send Johnny to Sunday School.
   8. Every important or major decision should be made by the man, whether he asks his wife or not.

The Glory

1. According to the inspired wisdom of Solomon, the glory of children are their fathers (Prov 17:6).
   1. At early ages, fathers are glorious persons with great powers and noble character to every child.
   2. Children by nature gladly give their fathers an unimpeachable reputation for wisdom and honor.
   3. When under five years of age, fathers can hardly do any wrong in the minds of their children.
   4. Thus, the common illustration of children at school: “My father’s smarter than your father.”
   5. But as children get older, they must face the reality as to whether their fathers deserve the glory.
   6. As children get older, and by variations in fathers’ character, the proverb takes on new meaning.
   7. Just as in the first clause of the verse, godliness and greatness are assumed to justify both rules.
2. Why is George Washington, “Father of our Nation”? He was the best … first … and did the most!
   1. Many things could be said about him, but he had the highest character and conduct and respect.
   2. The nation, the army, and the congress willingly followed him due to his character and service.
   3. You can and should be the general of your marriage and family deserving such total devotion.
3. Great men, as distinguished from boys or average men, have a cause much greater than themselves.
   1. Boys continue to play games because they cannot grow up; average men just play bigger games.
   2. Great men discipline their lives, removing youthful or selfish impediments, for greater causes.
   3. They reject things like video games, sports, cars, jobs, income – as hindrances or mere means.
   4. David challenged his brother Eliab, Is there not a cause? His cause was God’s glory, temple, etc.
4. Children of God the king should live and act like princes, and princes do not do what other men do.
   1. David or Joseph or Daniel – pick any of them. They did not do the things that their peers did.
   2. Kings could raise princes by instructing them to certain actions and not allowing other actions.
   3. The Bible says that Araunah the Jebusite conducted himself like a king to David (II Sam 24:23).
5. Do you need a cause greater than you? You were taught one the last two Sundays in four sermons.
   1. Who will hold the ancient landmarks? Not just a body of knowledge, but a truly godly lifestyle.
   2. Jesus Christ the King called you to Occupy till He comes. Every minute should be for this goal.
6. A patriarch should wisely consider the effect on four generations after him (Ps 78:1-8; Joel 1:1-3).

The Challenge

1. When God judges a nation, he removes good men, and the result is a leadership vacuum (Is 3:1-26).
2. The foundations of a society, principally it rulers, but also fathers, are key (Ps 11:3; 75:2-3; 82:5-7).
3. We live in the perilous times of the last days – strong, godly fathers are rare, and we must restore.
4. The opposition and temptations are great, but God has chosen us for a great battle, and we can win.
5. Every man has a mission field – his wife and children – to prepare them to meet Jesus Christ soon.
6. Man! Before you know it, you will have spousal children, children’s children, their spouses, etc.

The Command

1. God specifically addressed fathers twice in the general epistles by Paul’s hand (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21).
   1. Nurture. The training, education, discipline, or chastening of a child to bring them up well.
   2. Admonition. To put a person in mind of duties; to counsel against wrong practices; to give authoritative or warning advice; to exhort, to warn.
2. So much of this duty to be a good father is setting the right priorities for yourself and your family.
   1. You have been taught the ten components of a mighty man’s life … and their proper priority.
   2. You have been taught how to manage your live by those components … allocating time rightly.
   3. You have been taught how to manage your wife by wise priorities … allocating her time rightly.
3. Get out of your comfort zone and aspire to greatness both as a man and as a father or future father.
4. You cannot get tired, because the cause and consequences are too great. Death is for resting.
5. Pastors, Sunday school teachers, or Christian schools cannot and do not replace fathers. Man up!

The Examples

1. Abraham is one of the greatest fathers in the Bible for what God Himself said of him (Gen 18:19).
2. Joshua is another great father that did not need much help or encouragement to lead on (Josh 24:15).
3. Job did not listen to his foolish wife, but corrected her for ignorance of God’s sovereignty.
4. Neither Cornelius nor the jailor asked their wives to help them find the truth. They were patriarchs!
5. Solomon and Eli are horrible examples, which are useful to consider for sins and their consequences.

The Means

1. Leader: good fathers do what is right, confidently and firmly; the children follow the example.
   1. Leadership is much more example and leading than it is arrogance, barking, giving orders, etc.
   2. Note that God the Father sets Himself forward as an example to us His children (Mat 5:43-48).
   3. If you are not opinionated, from God’s word primarily, your children will not know what to do.
   4. Are you a glorious example of those things that God and you want your children to become?
   5. Fearing the Lord, godly marriage, ruled spirit and mouth, and all others things must be shown.
   6. Do you obey and reverence the authority over you as you expect your family to honor yours?
   7. Kings and great men are different and create a different environment, and it makes princes.
   8. Discouraged and/or hopeless fathers will discourage their children, even when they are grown.
2. Spiritual: good fathers exalt a heavenly and spiritual view of life by example and instruction.
   1. Make the Lord the center, the end, the judge, the source, the object, and the defense of all things.
   2. You must create a faith-based setting in the home for the whole family to learn the fear of God.
   3. Men are to be the spiritual leaders, not mommies and S.S. teachers (Neh 12:43; II Chron 20:13).
   4. He knows that the knowledge of God is the most important matter that he can give his children.
   5. Guidance in practical matters will often be easier, but good fathers do not relax to such a level.
3. Holy: good fathers do not expose children to much of the world and do not bring it into the home.
   1. He knows that all that is in the world is not of the Father and will pass away soon (I Jn 2:15-17).
   2. He knows that friendship with the world is enmity and spiritual adultery against God (Jas 4:4).
   3. He knows that children cannot serve two masters, so God must be the only One (Matthew 6:24).
   4. Manoah, frustrated with Samson, sought to get him to marry in Israel’s religion (Judges 14:1-4).
   5. A symptom of the perilous times is unholy, which must be corrected by sober and holy fathers.
4. Teacher: good fathers instruct children diligently – by repetition, affection, Scripture, application.
   1. Teaching is verbal instruction from the mouth of a father to ears of the children, which requires sitting them down, preparing a simple lesson, and explaining it authoritatively and clearly.
   2. Do you know the goals: (a) fear of the Lord, (b) obedience, (c) responsibility, (d) wisdom, (e) selflessness, (f) independence, (g) enthusiasm, (h) discipline, (i) honesty, and (j) friendliness?
   3. Generating and raising children is nothing; training wise children is a noble accomplishment.
   4. When the apostle Paul addressed fathers, he spoke of their training of children (Ephesians 6:4).
   5. Nurture. The training, education, discipline, or chastening of a child to bring them up well.
   6. Admonition. To put a person in mind of duties; to counsel against wrong practices; to give authoritative or warning advice; to exhort, to warn. It is much more than raising kids or veggies.
   7. Paul assumed several aspects of fatherly training toward the Thessalonians (I Thess 2:11).
   8. Consider Solomon and David as teachers (Prov 1:8; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1-4,10,20; 5:1; 6:20; 7:1; 23:26).
   9. Consider the assumed role of fatherly teaching (Psalm 34:11; 44:1; 48:13; 71:18; 145:4).
   10. Remember that no training is negative training, if you understand a child’s evil nature (Pr 29:15).
   11. Training a child is a commandment (Prov 22:6), but it also has a wonderful promise attached.
   12. A father that is a good trainer has great influence on the future (Ps 78:1-8; Is 38:19; Joel 1:1-3).
   13. Diligent effort is to be applied teaching your children the heritage of God’s word (Deut 6:6-9).
   14. The scriptures are our great treasure of fathers (Deut 4:5-10; 6:20-25; 32:46-47; II Tim 3:15).
5. Tough: good fathers require godly conduct from children, and they enforce it by any means at hand.
   1. Do you know the rules: (a) scripturally, (b) early, (c) severely, (d) lovingly, (e) clearly, (f) proportionately, (g) consistently, (h) instantly, (i) thoroughly, and (j) publicly.
   2. Corporal punishment is assumed a vital aspect of a godly father by God’s example (He 12:5-11).
   3. Chastening must be done early, and it must ignore the child’s tears (Pr 13:24; 19:18; 23:13-14).
   4. Eli was a bad father, for he was not tough enough to restrain his sons (I Sam 2:29-30; 3:11-14).
   5. If you cannot say, “No!” enforce it, and follow-up to prove compliance, why did you have any?
6. Pitiful: good fathers remember children are weak and apply instruction and discipline accordingly.
   1. Fatherly pity discerns the state and ability of children, as God does our own (Psalm 103:13-14).
   2. Harsh fathers are tyrants and deserve rebels, for they discourage and provoke (Ep 6:4; Col 3:21).
   3. Authority and power without understanding is great oppression in state and home (Pr 28:16).
   4. Moses and Paul showed a tender spirit though with great authority (Num 11:12; I Thess 2:7,11).
   5. Do you have the tender spirit toward wayward children as God (Jer 31:20; Luke 15:11-32).
7. Consistent: good fathers live and treat children without rash, inconsistent, or contradictory actions.
   1. Steady and consistent fathering builds security and peace for children to know all boundaries.
   2. Steady and consistent fathering trains children the most thoroughly by way of godly repetition.
   3. The proverb about a fly in the ointment applies to fathers and children’s respect (Eccl 10:1).
   4. Lot’s hypocrisy caused his sons-in-law to mock his cry to flee the city of Sodom (Gen 19:14).
   5. Peter’s hypocrisy carried away the hearts of believers, even when taught by Paul (Gal 2:11-13).
8. Knowledgeable: good fathers know their children and their needs and address them accordingly.
   1. Our heavenly Father knows our needs before we even ask (Matt 6:8,32). Are you such a father?
   2. A glorious king searches out a matter (Prov 25:2). Do you research your children thoroughly?
   3. Solomon knew the temptations of a young man, and he wisely dealt with them all in Proverbs.
   4. Are you a father that has answers for your children? Do you communicate to them clearly?
   5. A knowledgeable father knows what is happening in the world and can smell trouble in a child.
9. Kind and loving: a good father will generously do good to his children as does the Heavenly Father.
   1. Jesus assumed that even evil fathers of this world know how to give good gifts (Luke 11:11:13).
   2. He loves his children with affection, and he does not get distracted very far from their lives.
   3. What have you done recently, specifically planned to win the affection of a child? Do it today.
   4. How much physical affection do you show your children? Is that too low for you to stoop?
   5. A great father can and will forgive and forget faults and sins of his children when they repent.
   6. A loving father communicates (John 15:15), seeks agreement (Amos 3:3), is always there in adversity (Prov 17:17), shares successes (I Sam 30:25), shares challenges (Prov 27:9,17), makes sacrifices (John 15:13), and is able to condescend (Rom 12:16).
10. Prudent: good fathers see the future and prepare children for it, who do not look beyond the present.
    1. Do you have your priorities such that your children are where God expects them at this age?
    2. A good father leaves an inheritance for his children (Proverbs 11:16; 13:22; 19:14; II Cor 12:14).
    3. A wise father is cautious and discreet. Before making major decisions, he obtains good counsel.
    4. A good father is moderate in all things (Phil 4:5). Avoid child-provoking or costly extremes.

The Effect

1. Great fathers will be happy, just as Solomon promised the fathers of wise children. Be selfish here!
2. Great fathers have a good defense against enemies by the godliness of their children (Prov 27:11).
3. Happy wives are an effect, for a woman does not give birth to see a father neglect or harm children.
4. Happy children are an effect, for the love and security and guidance of a great father is precious.
5. The happy streets of godly families and churches are an effect that David described (Ps 144:11-15).
6. God is glorified, the truth is adorned, adversaries are silenced, and slanderous lies are refuted.

Conclusion:

1. Wives and children, you have heard patriarchy taught today, so you must now help and obey your patriarchs.
   1. A marriage starts when a woman says, “As the LORD liveth, I will,” swearing submission and reverence.
   2. A marriage lasts as a woman says daily to herself, “As the LORD liveth, what can I do today for him.”
   3. To the degree you balk, question, suggest, resist, or do not gladly and reverently submit, you are odious.
   4. To the degree you are odious by this active or passive or subconscious rebellion, you destroy families.
2. Girls, if you think there was little for you, think about the seriousness of marriage, because it is costly for you.
3. Girls, if you think there was little for you, remember the fact that Ruth and Abigail got princes by their virtue.
4. If you have failed in some or many ways, God can forgive and restore lost leverage or years with repentance.
5. Much material has been prepared and presented in the past, which will be reviewed by men with high goals.

For Further Study:

1. Sermon Outline: “Greatness By a Great Cause,” exploring David’s great words for the lesson, “Is there not a cause?”
2. Sermon Outline: “Kingdom Priorities,” in which kingdom and military appeals are made from scripture to Occupy!
3. Sermon Outline: “A Mighty Man’s Life,” is to help a man set his priorities of the ten major areas of duty in his life.
4. Sermon Outline: “A Mighty Man’s Life,” is to list and define the various parts of a man’s life for fulfilling his duties.
5. Sermon Outline: “Keepers of the Kingdom,” where male church members are called on to man up and do their duties.
6. Sermon Outline: “David’s Mighty Men,” where the exploits recorded by the Holy Spirit are found and explained.
7. Sermon Outline: “The Role of the Man,” which itemizes the various approaches and duties God expects of husbands.
8. Sermon Outline: “Fathers for 2005, in which fathers are exhorted to man up to their duties for the next year.
9. Sermon Outline: “Righteous Relationships,” which shows the importance and methods of godly relationships.
10. Sermon Outline: “Marriage – Only in the Lord,” which proves from the Bible the necessity of marrying believers.
11. Sermon Outline: “Godly Child Training,” which presents child training with an emphasis on spiritual training.
12. Couples’ Retreat Notebook, “Family Planning,” which contains 60-70 pages of material related to godly families.
13. Sermon Outline: “Bible Child Training,” which collates and details every aspect of child training with specific rules.
14. Study Outline: “Godly Training for Girls,” which provides the priorities and details of properly training daughters.
15. Study Outline: “Faithful Fathers,” gives many practical pointers to fathers in managing and training their children.
16. Study Outline: “Teaching the Fear of the Lord,” is for godly fathers to have effective devotions at home for children.
17. Study Outline: “Marry Whomever You Will,” is to reinforce strict marriage qualifying for only spiritual spouses.
18. Much study material presented at men’s meetings but not in e-format at this time.