Father's Day 2024 - Setting your children up for success.
Ted, Anna, Joshua, and Timothy Thevaos
Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s that are here with us today.
You are simply the best!
On and off the field, you let us know how much we’re loved.
You’ve given us our identity.
I haven’t had to look far, to find Pete Thevaos.
He’s in all my growing up pictures, loving my mom, me, and my 4 sisters.
He was there making sure I was safe, even when my mom was letting me mow the grass at 10 years old or younger (Story - Tall bar, Short bar Lawnmower).
Story - Stephanie Sinclair bought a junior wheelbarrow for Caleb or Simeon.
Mom’s are basically saying, “Son, be like your dad, and you’ll be a great dad as well, one day. And by the way, help your wife with her honey do list. She’ll love you for it!”
Pete Thevaos Family Pictures (Slideshow)
So dad’s we want to say thank you for working hard and bringing home the bacon.
Thanks for protecting us, always being there, being patient with us, and being that powerful example that we can look up.
You’re like superheroes to us, so I think it’s fitting on Father’s Day to let you know how much you remind us of Chuck Norris.
Here we go — Chuck Norris. The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
In the Beginning, there was nothing. Then Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked nothing and told it to get a job.
Chuck Norris uses pepper spray to season his meat.
Chuck Norris can dribble a bowling ball.
Chuck Norris once bowled a perfect game with a marble.
The flu gets a Chuck Norris shot every year.
Chuck Norris doesn't worry about high gas prices. His vehicles run on fear.
It takes Chuck Norris 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.
When Chuck Norris's parents had nightmares, they would come to his bedroom.
When Chuck Norris plays dodgeball, the balls dodge him.
Chuck Norris makes onions cry.
Put your hands together and give all the Dad’s a big thank you!
Well, today we are continuing our “Finding Your Voice” series and we all know how important our fathers are in helping us find our voice or our purpose in life.
A great Bible example for all of us Father’s is the story of Elisha the prophet told in 2 Kings.
Elisha followed his predecessor, Elijah the prophet, and was so moved by him he actually called him “Father.”
It was when the Lord took Elijah to heaven, while he was still alive, in a fiery chariot and horses.
Elisha loved, admired, and knew he would miss his spiritual father, so he cried out, “My Father, My Father.”
Do you remember when you laid your beloved grandfather, father, or spiritual father to rest? (I’m sure it wasn’t easy)
Because they taught you so many things and were “there” to help you learn.
Look at all the great miracles that God performed through Elijah that Elisha beheld.
Food brought by ravens (1 Kings 17:5-6).
Widow’s food multiplied (1 Kings 17:12-16).
Widow’s son raised to life (1 Kings 17:17-24).
Altar and sacrifice consumed to defeat prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-46).
Ahaziah’s soldiers consumed (2 Kings 1:9-14).
Jordan River parted (2 Kings 2:6-8).
Elijah transported to heaven (2 Kings 2:11-12).
If you had seen your Father or Spiritual Father used by God in those miraculous ways, where would your faith, confidence, and expectancy be?
(Through the roof).
And that’s why Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s anointing.
And would you believe he received it from God?
Fathers, I have a question for you, with the young people present.
Do you want your children to accomplish less than you? (No way)
Do you want your children to accomplish the same as you? (No way)
Do you want your children to accomplish more than you? (Absolutely)
Anna and I say, “We want our ceiling of success to be our children’s floor or their starting point of success.”
By seeing both of my grandparents run successful businesses, I said, “I can do that and more.”
My spiritual father recorded worship albums, and I said, “I can do that and more.”
If it took me 20 years to start a church at age 40, what if I share what I learned with a young family and they can get started at age 30?
However, I believe we are going to see some saints in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s starting ministries and businesses.
President Donald Trump celebrated his 78th birthday this past Thursday.
He’s going to be the leader of the free world when he’s 82.
Look at the great things the Lord did through Elisha, a second generation minister, if you will.
He had encounters with 18 people that had tremendous needs (Double that of Elijah).
He had a ministry that lasted 50 years (Double that of Elijah’s).
And Elijah only mentored Elisha for 6 years
That should encourage you parents that have felt like 18 years to prepare your child wasn’t enough.
And I love how Elisha had a ministry to the poor and to the powerful
Dad’s, let’s prepare our children to talk to King’s and have compassion for the helpless and the hopeless.
Before I read one miraculous Elisha story in particular, look at all these miracles!
Jordan River parted (2 Kings 2:13-14).
Spring at Jericho purified (2 Kings 2:19-22).
Water in the wilderness (2 Kings 3:9-20).
Widow’s oil multiplied (2 Kings 4:1-7).
Dead boy raised to life (2 Kings 4:18-37).
Poisonous stew purified (2 Kings 4:38-41).
Prophets’ food multiplied (2 Kings 4:42-44).
Naaman healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14).
Ghazi becoming leprous (2 Kings 5:15-27).
Ax head floating (2 Kings 6:1-7).
Aramean army blinded (2 Kings 6:8-23).
Read 2 Kings 4:1-37.
Emphasize biblical truth from the heart.
Sing — “Shout To The Lord.” (Ted Thevaos)
Honor the Father’s — Prayer and Gift (Anna Thevaos).