Father's Day

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 15th 2025 by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

Father’s Day

In a world where the definition of family is rapidly shifting, we must pause and ask: Where does the idea of fatherhood come from? Is it simply a social invention, or does it have a deeper, divine origin?

The Bible makes it clear: fatherhood is God’s idea. In Ephesians 3:14–15, Paul writes, “I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” The concept of fatherhood is not a cultural construct—it is rooted in God's very nature, modeled in the relationship between the Father and the Son in the Trinity.

Honour: A Forgotten Command

Among the Ten Commandments, nestled between prohibitions against murder and theft, is the call to honour your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12) This is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may go well with you.” Yet in our modern, egalitarian world, honour has become a forgotten virtue—especially towards parents and elders.

Jesus Himself, though fully God, submitted to His earthly parents (Luke 2:51). In doing so, He set the standard for us: to honour is to respect, to appreciate, and to love.

In Indian culture, we used to show this by addressing elders as “Uncle” or “Auntie.” Today, even toddlers are taught to use first names. While respect may look different across cultures, Scripture calls us to maintain a spirit of honour—especially within the home and the church.

Obeying vs. Honouring

One of the key distinctions that often gets blurred—especially in Eastern cultures—is the difference between obeying and honouring. Children are called to obey while they are under their parents’ care. But as they grow into adults, the call shifts from obedience to honour. Adult children still show respect and appreciation, but must make decisions under the guidance of Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Parents, too, must know when to release. Enforcing obedience in adult decisions—like marriage or career—can lead to heartache when misapplied.

The Biblical Role of Fathers

Four biblical responsibilities every father carries:

1. To Provide

(1 Timothy 5:8) A father who fails to provide for his household “has denied the faith.” Provision is more than finances—it’s about safety, stability, and presence.

2. To Train

(Ephesians 6:4) Fathers are called to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Sunday school can’t replace the father’s role. Children need the Word modeled and taught at home.

3. To Lead by Example

(1 Corinthians 11:1) Children imitate what they see. If we want godly children, we must be godly ourselves. Our lives speak louder than our words.

4. To Affirm

Drawing from Genesis 27 and the insights of Dr. Gary Smalley, fathers are encouraged to affirm their children through:

• Meaningful touch (a hug, a hand on the shoulder),
• Words of blessing and encouragement,
• Assurance of value, and
• Speaking a vision for their future.

Why This Matters

In a U.S. prison, hundreds of inmates requested cards on Mother’s Day. On Father’s Day, hardly anyone came. We’re living in a world where fatherlessness is rising—both through absence and abdication.

India, too, is catching up with this trend. Now more than ever, we need to reclaim what it means to be a godly father.

A Call to Action

• Children: Obey and honour your parents. It’s the pathway to blessing.
• Adults: Continue to honour your father and mother—even if they are not perfect.
• Fathers: Rise to your calling. Provide, train, lead by example, and affirm.

Let’s rebuild what society is tearing down. Let’s honour our Heavenly Father by reflecting His heart in our families.

In a world where voices compete for our time and attention, one truth remains timeless: fatherhood is a divine calling that reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Four essential expressions of godly fatherhood: to provide, train, model, and bless.

1. A Father Provides

True provision goes beyond the basics. It’s about sacrificial love. Colin shared how his father worked long hours—even holding two jobs—not for luxury, but to gift his children something meaningful: a piano. That piano became the starting point for a musical legacy that shaped careers and destinies.

What you provide today can shape the trajectory of your child’s tomorrow.

2. A Father Trains

Raising children isn’t just about feeding and clothing them. It’s about discipling them.

Moments of prayer, reading Scripture, and life-giving conversations aren’t accidental—they’re intentional. Take time to ask questions, listen to their stories (even the wild, imaginative ones), and speak truth into their young hearts.

If we don’t train our children, someone else will.

3. A Father Models

Children learn more by what we do than by what we say. They are always watching. When they see us pray, serve, and love others, they absorb that rhythm and reflect it in their own lives.

Live in such a way that your children will want to imitate your walk with God.

4. A Father Blesses

Words have power. Our children crave affirmation, encouragement, and a hopeful vision. Even simple phrases like “I’m proud of you,” or “God has great plans for you,” carry the weight of heaven when spoken by a father.

Combine this with hugs, physical affection, and consistent encouragement—and you’ll raise children who walk confidently into their destiny.

Seasons Come and Go

Fatherhood, like life, comes in stages. Infancy, childhood, teenage years, adulthood—each stage has its joys and challenges. Colin reminds us to cherish every one.

“They’ll be with you for 21 years… then they go off into the world. Make the most of this time.”

A Prayer for Fathers

The message ends with a moving prayer—thanking God for the privilege of parenting, confessing our weakness, and receiving His grace to reflect His heart as fathers.

Final Thoughts

Fatherhood is not about perfection. It’s about faithfulness. It’s about mirroring the Father who provides, trains, models, and blesses us daily.

Let’s rise to this calling. Let’s raise a generation that knows what a godly father looks like—not just by title, but by touch, time, and truth.

Happy Father’s Day. May your life reflect the love of the Father.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.