Tim Franklin For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:15 ESV) You very likely know the tune to the jingle that goes like this; “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys-R-Us kid.” (if that’s not exactly right its close). It is the song for the toy store chain that extols the virtues of staying a child. That is a cute concept for marketing but a poor idea for life, and a terrible idea for those in the Body of Christ. We are called to move from milk to meat in our understanding and in our acts of faith. In this verse Paul says, “you do not have many fathers.” His statement is not in relation to physical fatherhood but rather spiritual fatherhood. Why is that, why so few fathers in the faith? (And I believe this is a generic issue, we have few mothers in the faith also.) I believe it is because there are few who are willing to pay the price for parenthood. We’re more than willing to be brothers and sisters in the faith, because that implies relationship without the burden of the responsibilities of parenting. It costs to be a parent; it costs physically, emotionally, and often financially. A parent is willing to sacrifice for their children so that they may be brought up in a manner that allows them to go beyond anything the parent ever dreamed for their own lives. It is dying to self so that another may discover life. God is still looking for those who would become spiritual fathers and mothers. He desires that the Body of Christ would be inhabited with those who see beyond themselves and into the needs of future generations. Do you have what it takes to be a spiritual parent? I hope so, because the church needs some fathers and mothers today. Pastor Tim Franklin The Connection Church We are a “Big Little Church” going beyond ourselves to reach others for Christ.
Christian Church 9300 Emmett F Lowry Expy, Ste 222, Texas City, TX, United States, Texas (409) 933-4820 info@theconnectiontc.com
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