A Building Project

Details

A Building Project 

Hebrews 3:4 

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 

4 Now every house is built by someone, but the One who built everything is God. 

  

Two workers drive into a lumberyard. One gets out, goes inside, and says to the clerk, “We need some 4×2′s”.The clerk says, “Do you mean 2×4′s?” The worker says, “Just a minute,” goes outside, comes back in, and says, “Yes, 2×4′s.”The clerk asks, “How long do you need them?” The worker says, “Just a minute,” goes outside, comes back in, and says, “We’ll need them a long time because we’re building a house.” 

I don’ t know about you, but I’m not sure I’d want to live in the house these two fellows built! Now I’m not about to make too much fun of them, because I’m not that great of a carpenter myself, but I do – like you—build things every day. 

We all build things each day. We build relationships, we build our businesses, we build our families, and hopefully we build our faith. Building, one stone on top of another is basic to the pattern of life that we live. 

You could probably tell me story after story of the people that your life is built upon. Those are the people that laid a foundation that will endure through the ages. You could tell me about parents and grandparents, Sunday School teachers, coaches, and youth leaders. You could probably even tell me about that crotchety old widow lady that lived in the decrepit house on the corner. Each one of these stories would build on each other, growing you into the person you’ve become today. 

God is the builder of it all! He builds us from the very ground up, and He is in the business of building things that are marked by quality! 

In the 1985 movie, Weird Science, Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and his nerdy friend Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) are two dateless teens stuck in Wyatt’s rather posh suburban family home on a Friday night. On a whim, Gary suggests that they use Wyatt’s powerful computer to “make a woman” (or at least a somewhat realistic simulation that they can interact with). They begin to feed various images and other data into the computer, but are unsuccessful at first. After hacking into a powerful Air Force computer system, a weird electrical storm develops. The two teens try to unplug the computer and stop the rather supernatural events, but to no avail. Finally, a real woman (Kelly LeBrock) whom Wyatt names “Lisa” emerges from the bathroom, much to their shock and delight. 

They had built them a woman! This morning I want to talk to you about building a person also, though maybe not one as stunning as Kelly LeBrock, but one certainly more important. I want us to talk about building a father. 

We Should Build Patience Into a Father 

  

A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o’clock in the morning by a loud pounding on their door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger in the pouring rain is asking for a push. “Not a chance” says the husband- “It’s three o’clock in the morning!” He slams the door and returns to bed. “Who was it?” asks his wife. “Just a drunken stranger asking for a push” he answers. “Did you help him?” She asks. “No, I didn’t-it’s three in the morning and raining out.” ‘Well, you’ve got a short memory” says his wife. “Can’t you remember about three months ago when we broke down on vacation and those two guys helped us? I think you should help him.” The man does as he is told and gets dressed and goes out into the pouring rain and calls out into the dark. “Hello-are you still there?” “Yes,” comes the answer. “Do you still want a push?” calls out the husband. “Yes, please!” comes the reply from the dark. “Where are you?” asks the husband. “Over here on the swing” the drunk replies. 

Patience: 

  • Is the ability to sit back and wait for an expected outcome without experiencing anxiety, tension, or frustration. 
  • Is the ability let go of your need for immediate gratification and be willing to wait. 
  • Is the trait that displays tolerance, compassion, understanding, and acceptance toward those who are slower than you in developing maturity, emotional freedom, and coping abilities. 
  • Is the ability to remain calm in the midst of turmoil because you know God is in control. 

Patience is necessary for a father. It’s hard work being a father. The biological part is easy, it’s the rest of it that we need a better manual for. 

Ephesians 4:2 tells us, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” 

Patience is not always the easiest of the Holy Spirit’s fruit to grab hold of, and when you have children it becomes even more elusive, but patience is one of the most important ingredients to put in a father. 

We Should Build Godliness Into A Father 

  

Three boys were talking about their fathers, comparing them like young boys sometimes do. For example…who was biggest, who was the strongest etc. They got to the subject of money and who made the most money. One boy said “My father is a lawyer, he makes $1000.00 for one day in court!” The second boy said, “My father is a doctor, he makes $2000.00 for one operation!” The third boy wasn’t sure what to say because his father was a minister. He thought for a second and said ” My father is a minister, after preaching just 20 minutes, it takes 6 men to carry all the money!” 

Every child wants to brag on his or her father, it’s just kind of built in to them. It’s nice to be able to brag about the material blessings a father can give to his children, but what a tremendous thing it is to be able to brag about the material blessings a father can share with his kids. 

I Corinthians 11:1 says to fathers: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 

Actually, it says that to all of us believers, I’m just singling out the dads today. One of the greatest things that we can give to our children is not a car when they turn sixteen, or a swimming pool in the back yard; one of the greatest things we can give to our children is a great example. 

The triathlon is an endurance event in which you swim a certain distance, ride your bike a certain distance, and finally, without resting, run a certain distance. It is a very demanding test of your abilities.  
 
And I can tell you: one doesn’t just decide one day to get up off the sofa and tackle the triathlon. He prepares himself for it. He practices. He spends months getting ready. He trains his body for the grueling ordeal of the triathlon.  
 
Everyone understands this. If you want to build your body’s strength and endurance, you prepare. Why do we not see that the same is required in the realm of the spiritual? In 1 Timothy 4:8, the Apostle Paul says, “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 

To build a perfect father we must begin with patience, and add Godliness to the mix. 

We Should Build Love Into a Father 

With a timid voice and idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from work, “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” 

 Greatly surprised, but giving his boy a glaring look, the father said: “Look, son, not even your mother knows that”. “Don’t bother me now, I’m tired.” 

 ”But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour, the boy insisted. 

The father, finally giving up, replied: “Twenty dollars per hour.” 

Okay, Daddy? Could you loan me ten dollars?” the boy asked. Showing his restlessness and positively disturbed, the father yelled: “So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Go to sleep and don’t bother me anymore!” 

It was already dark and the father was meditating on what he said and Was feeling guilty? Maybe he thought, his son wanted to buy something. Finally, trying to ease his mind, the father went to his son’s room. 

 ”Are you asleep, son?” asked the father. 

 ”No, Daddy. Why?” replied the boy, partially asleep. 

 ”Here’s the money you asked for earlier, ” the father said. 

 ”Thanks, Daddy!” rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under his pillow and removing some money. “Now I have enough!! Now I have twenty dollars!” the boy said to his father, who was gazing at his son, confused at what his son had just said. “Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?” 

A child craves the love of a father, and will often go to great lengths to find that love. It doesn’t take a whole lot to show that love, just a little determination. Now, I realize in our group that most of you don’t have small children, but maybe you can share these tips with those that do. 

Twenty Ways To Show Your Child Love 

  

  1. Set aside time just to talk with your child. No phones, no TV, just talk.

Find out what happened during your child’s day. 

  

  1. In good weather, sit outside with your child and watch the world go by,

even if it’s only for 10 minutes. 

  

  1. Make family routines and traditions. Try to share at least one meal as a

family every day. If weekdays are impossible, then every weekend. 

  

  1. Talk to your child about school and friends.
  2. Tell your child you love her.

  

  1. Tell her again.

  

  1. Go to the park. Walk around; swing on the swings.

  

  1. Pay attention to what your child is doing. Things that seem mundane to

parents can be very important to children. Share your child’s little victories. 

  

  1. Let your child help with what you are doing.

  

  1. Show interest in your child’s thoughts and feelings so he will be more willing

to come to you with his problems and concerns. 

  

  1. Respect your child’s thoughts and feelings. Her feelings are as real to her as

yours are to you. 

  

  1. Tell your child you love him.
  2. Tell him again.

  

  1. Look at your child when you talk together. If she sees you reading a newspaper

or watching TV while she is talking, she may believe that what she is saying is 

unimportant to you. 

  

  1. Catch your child being good, and praise him.

  

  1. Make a bedtime routine that you try to stick to every night. Children like

routines, and it can be a great time for sharing the day’s events. 

  

  1. Read a story together.

  

  1. Make something with your child. Make brownies or a birdhouse.

  

  1. Tell your child you love her. Hug her.

  

  1. Tell her again. Hug her again.

There are no perfect fathers, except for the heavenly father, yet each of us can strive to be better than we are. We need to build ourselves into the best father we can be. 

FATHER’S DAY 
by Erma Bombeck 

In scripture, God plainly says that the Father is to be the 
leader of the family. This does not mean that he is to be a 
dictator, but with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the father is 
to lead the family in it’s walk with Christ. But this 
doesn’t always happen. For many reasons, the Mother takes on 
the role of spiritual leader of the household . . . and in 
some instances, the father simply isn’t there . . . as is 
the case in many homes today. 

So if your father is there, honor him today . . . if he’s 
passed away, as is the case of my own father, then thank God 
for him, and for his leadership. And if your Mom has added 
the duties of Father to the great burden she already 
carries, give her an extra hug today, and tell her “Happy 
Father’s Day!”