A Good Father Makes a Great Future

At our church this Father’s Day, we pause to honor the dads—not just with a “thank you,” but with a renewed reminder of their divine purpose. In a culture that often sidelines or satirizes fatherhood, we stood together to declare that fathers matter. More than ever, the presence and leadership of a good father is one of the greatest gifts a family, a child, and a community can receive. As we explored both statistics and Scripture, it became undeniably clear: a good father truly makes a great future.

The sobering truth is that fatherlessness has reached epidemic levels in our society. Nearly 1 in 4 children in the U.S. live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in their home. The ripple effects of this are staggering—higher rates of poverty, school dropouts, incarceration, mental health issues, and more. But the inverse is just as powerful: when a father is actively involved, children flourish academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Dads, your presence is powerful. Your influence is irreplaceable.

But beyond celebrating earthly fathers, we turned our hearts toward the perfect Father—God Himself. In Romans 8:14-17, we’re reminded that we are not orphans. Through Christ, we’ve been adopted as God’s own children, and by His Spirit, we cry out, “Abba, Father.” No matter our earthly experiences—whether marked by joy, pain, or absence—we are invited into a deeply personal and life-changing relationship with a Father who never leaves, never wounds, and never gives up.

This perfect Father demonstrates what true fathering looks like. He affirms our worth, not in vague sentiment but with words of love and identity: “You are my beloved child.” He challenges us to grow, not to harm us but to stretch us beyond our comfort zones and into Christlike maturity. He teaches us through His Word and Spirit, lovingly disciplines us when needed, and speaks wisdom into our lives. He heals our wounds—emotional, spiritual, and physical—because His love always moves toward restoration.

God also desires relationship and intimacy with us. He is not a distant authority figure but a close, compassionate Father who wants our hearts. Through every season of joy and sorrow, success and failure, He is present. He awakens passions within us, draws us closer to Himself, and transforms us into people who love deeply and live purposefully. And then, like any good father, He entrusts us with real responsibility—inviting us to carry His name and His mission into the world with courage and faith.

For every dad, this vision of God’s fathering provides a model to follow. We can echo His ways by affirming our children, guiding them with wisdom, allowing them to face challenges, walking with them through their pain, building strong relationships, and entrusting them with meaningful responsibility. No father is perfect, but every father can be faithful—and that faithfulness can shape generations to come.

We also know this: for those who grew up without a father, or who face the challenges of parenting alone, especially single moms—God sees you. He is not only your Father, but He longs to father your children too. His grace is sufficient, His presence is near, and His love is strong enough to fill every gap.

Ultimately, our hope lies in this truth: a good Father makes a great future. And our Heavenly Father is already building it. He is calling each of us—fathers, mothers, sons, daughters—into a deeper relationship with Him. Let’s lean in, listen for His voice, and follow His lead. Because the future isn’t something we stumble into. With God, it’s something we are lovingly fathered into.

- Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 6/15/25.