In the times of the Old Testament, God commanded all man, in The Ten Commandments, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). Yet God also reminds the parents, especially the fathers not to exasperate on the children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord – forming a complete picture of a godly family with equally important roles of children and parents.

Father’s Day Sunday Service was started with a powerful Praise and Worship led by Brother Allen. A short video clip showing the beautiful kids from The Children Church – Alicia, Pui Pui, Ka Chun, Phoebe, Daniel, Samuel, Dave, Kristina, Isabel and Joseph – expressing their love and gratitude to their thoughtful fathers on this special day.

Brother Eddy of Group 4 testified the goodness of God upon his mother who has a dual parental role. Eddy recalled the times when he and his younger brother would pray for God’s sovereign hand to be upon his mother whenever she is on the road, especially in times of heavy rain, driving around town making deliveries, and God’s protection has always been faithful. Mother had never once come in drenched by the rain. There was another time when Eddy’s mother was involved in a car accident, although the other party was giving false witness, God’s righteousness stands firm under false accusations against Eddy’s mother in court. The impious was judged and sentenced and the righteous compensated accordingly. The Lord promised in Psalm Chapter1: 6,”For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

All the Fathers in the congregation were presented a gift symbolizing our recognition for their love and devotion to the family, particularly for their faithfulness in God in loving and caring for the children.

Pastor Gavin sermon topic was based on Ephesians Chapter 6:1-4. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”. “Honor your father and mother”, which is the commandment with a promise – “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”. The three qualities highlighted the characteristics of Godly children and Godly parents. Firstly, we delight in obeying our parents as a result of being obedient to God. We shall obey until we are no longer under the caring of our parents, but the responsibility in honoring parents continues for a lifetime. We should respect, holding our parents in high regards and giving them importance in our lives. Last but not the least, we should also realize that children are on loan from God, and as parents we nurture the children to grow-up in a Christ-honoring manner involving plenty of patience, with tender loving and caring, according with biblical principle in Proverbs Chapter 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him”. The fathers, being the head of the family set the tone for the Biblical order in the family; he will coach, not to criticize, to train the children positively, and not to provoke resentment.

God’s blessings shall continue to shower upon those who practice His principles, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity”.(Proverbs 3: 1-2).