FATHER UP: EMBRACE YOUR CALLING TO LEAD
• God calls men to lead, direct, and serve their families with humility and love — according to His design, not the culture’s trends.
• Today’s world often looks down on godly men who lead their homes — but this is not a new calling.
THE COST OF FATHERLESSNESS
• Fatherlessness is devastating families, churches, and society in our culture today.
• This is not just a modern issue — Scripture shows us the generational cost when fathers fail to lead.
And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. —1 Samuel 3:13
• When fathers fail to engage, correct, and lead, entire families — and even nations — suffer.
YOUR HOME NEEDS A ROCK — NOT A PERFECT MAN, BUT A PRESENT MAN
• Your family does not need you to be flawless — they need you to be faithful and present.
Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” (See also Luke 22:61-62) —Luke 22:33-34
• It’s not too late. Jesus restores what is broken and calls us to lead again.
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” — John 21:17
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. —Psalm 51:12
• Your presence matters — in the living room, in the church, in the delivery room, in everyday life.
YOUR PAST DOESN’T DISQUALIFY YOU – RADICAL TRANSFORMATION IS POSSIBLE
• Paul (formerly Saul) was a persecutor of the church — but Jesus transformed his life.
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. —Acts 8:3
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” —Acts 9:3-4
YOU’RE NOT FATHERING FOR TODAY — YOU’RE INFLUENCING A 40-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF YOUR CHILD
• The intentional leadership you offer TODAY shapes who your children will become for decades to come.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. —Deuteronomy 6:6-7
• This is a daily, long-game calling — not just a one-time event.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
• What am I actively teaching and modeling for my children?
• Am I present — or just around — in my children’s lives?
• What kind of example am I setting — would I want my kids to follow in my footsteps?
• Am I giving my family my best — or what’s left after work and hobbies?
• Have I let past failures define my fatherhood — or am I choosing to leave a godly legacy?
Book Recommendation: The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character by Jon Tyson
CLOSING WORDS
• You don’t have to be loud to leave a legacy.
• You don’t have to be perfect to be a powerful influence.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7
• Father Up. Leave a legacy worth telling.
How do I give to 1MSO?
The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:
- Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
- Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
- Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
- Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
- Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab
