On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day.” However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

   I would like to bring us to the full meaning of Father’s Day.  Not the commercial holiday that Mother’s and Father’s Day has become.

   In this day when it seems that more and more “fathers” are backing away from their parental duties, we should learn more about what God’s word says about it.

   There are 506 references to father in the King James Bible.  Some are general references.  But there are some we should pay closer attention to.
   I find it interesting that the majority of references to “fathers” have been warnings to learn from the mistakes of the fathers.  This should be what we teach our children: to learn from our mistakes and be better persons.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Too many times, children make their own mistakes.
   The most important Biblical reference is in the 10 commandments; Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee..
   This is a two-way street.  Our parents must honour God, keep the commandments, accept the salvation of the Lord and teach their children to do the same.  Children must obey their parents (unless that obedience is contrary to God’s word.  Another scripture tell us not to provoke our children to wrath.  Likewise, children’s obedience and respect are keys to both sides.
   The primary thought that I would leave with you is that the commandments and scriptures regarding how fathers treat their children and how children should honor their parents applies to God, our Father as well.
   We provoke God to wrath over and over again and expect his “blanket” forgiveness.  Yes, God forgives.    However, I believe that we can dis-obey God “willfully” so many times that God says:  OK, when you really mean it, get back to me.  We find this in Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
   We also find a great caution in Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
   To me, this cautions us that even though we have accepted salvation, if we do not hold that Salvation dear and cling to it, it is possible to lose it.  I know this is controversial, but you cannot deny what the Bible verses above say.