Growing Up Into Fatherhood

Hebrews 11:  The Patriarch’s & Spiritual Fatherhood

I’m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold to shame you. I’m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father. I’m not, you know, asking you to do anything I’m not already doing myself.

(1 Corinthians 4:14-16 – The Message)

*In general, ‘biblical manhood’ is demonstrated by listening to God’s voice with implicit obedience sustained by confidence regardless of short term outcomes (Heb.11:1-2; 13-16). Worldly Manhood is often defined by the degree of Erectile Dysfunction…but Biblical Manhood is determined by Prostrate Function, a bended humble man before the Heavenly Father in fervent dissemination of the word of God and prayer. Let me explain, the word for “worship” means to “bow down or prostrate” before God. In this posture of surrender, we praise, pray and give thanks to The Eternal Father in Jesus Name. We also receive His blessing and His word to then go and lovingly help others. The word of God is what prevails to change the course of our personal lives and potentially human history. Not simply a conceptive sprint, Fatherhood is more a marathon of influence over a lifetime amidst the mountains, valleys, heights and depths of human experience. Spiritual fathers traverse all terrain to raise up sons and daughters for the Glory of the Father! Spiritual fathers are experts at receiving the seed of God’s word and releasing God’s word to their generation.

Hebrews 11:1-22 identifies several characteristics of spiritual fatherhood. No matter what our particular life circumstances, we can all become ‘spiritual fathers’ as we walk with God.

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old gained approval… All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have the opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (HEB.11:1-2, 13-16)

• 7-Disciplines of Spiritual Fatherhood:
• Sacrificer
• Seeker
• Prepper
• Trailblazer
• Blesser
• Wrestler
• Forgiver

Read: Hebrews 11:1-22

Pray: Each Patriarch has an outstanding characteristic (sacrificer, seeker etc.).  Pray you will grow up toward these particular traits of a spiritual father in the gospel for the benefit of others and to please your Heavenly Father.  If you ask,  The Heavenly Father will give you the Holy Spirit to be your source of grace and knowledge (Luke 11:13).

Share: Find one other person you can personally share this devotion with in a meaningful way.

ABEL (v4): Sacrificer-  Spiritual fathers give their best. They understand the value of the blood of Jesus as the high cost of God’s grace to secure our eternal redemption & salvation.  They point others to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

ENOCH (vv5-6): Seeker-  Spiritual father’s diligently seek God and His reward. They walk with their feet on the ground in protest to the wickedness of their generation. However, they are uniquely focused on ‘other-wordly’ realities.  Heaven has the upper-hand of influence in the way they conduct their affairs.

NOAH (v7):  Prepper-  Spiritual fathers warn their family and their generation about the coming judgment of God.  However, they build into their family an enduring faith in God no matter how bad things are getting.

ABRAHAM (vv8-12;17-19): Trailblazer-  Spiritual fathers do not need to know to GO! They break the sinful patterns of their family’s tradition & idolatry  and strike out into unchartered territory. 

Isaac (v20): Blesser-  Spiritual fathers speak blessing not cursing into the lives of their children.  Like Isaac, they dig wells (Gen.26) of blessing to bring life and growth to those around them.

Jacob (v21): Wrestler-  Spiritual fathers wrestle with God, with their sinful nature (Rom.7)  and with spiritual wickedness (Eph.6). They are engaged in honest prayer and worship while embracing their weakness.  Fathers understand weakness surrendered to God in humble obedience is the true nature of Worship.

Oil Painting ‘Frederick Taubes,Jacob Wrestling With The Angel,1944

Joseph (v22):  Forgiver-  Spiritual fathers release forgiveness from their heart (deep in their bones) to those who have mistreated them.  They have insight into the sovereign goodness of God that triumphs over all evil. 

Joseph Recognized by His Brothers (1863 painting by Léon Pierre Urbain Bourgeois)

^{The Poignant Posture of Spiritual Father’s…is about Prostrate Function in potent effectual prayer for the family of God!}

all the fullness of God.^{Ephesians 3:14} For this reason I kneel before the Father,¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith. And I pray that you, being rootedand established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of

Godly spiritual father’s living under the Heavenly Father impart the strength of the Holy Spirit and the the deep stabilizing love of Jesus Christ.