Scripture: 1 John 3:2
Sermon: Father’s Day – June 21, 2026

This week as I prepared this sermon, I compared the way we celebrate Father’s Day to the way we celebrate Mother’s Day. Father’s Day is not the “cash cow” for the greeting card industry Mother’s Day is. Kids just don’t buy as many cards for dads as they do for moms. They do buy dads more ties! But Dads are still loved. One writer who knew how to put that love for her dad into words was Erma Bombeck. Let me read it to you:

My Daddy just didn’t know how to show love. It was Mom who held the family together. He just went to work every day and when he came home, she had a list of sins we’d committed, and he would give us what-for about them.

I broke my leg once on a swing set. It was Mom who held me in her arms all the way to the hospital. Dad pulled the car right up to the emergency door and when they asked him to move it because the space was reserved for emergency vehicles, he shouted, ‘What do you think this is, a tour bus?’

Mom carried me in while Dad parked the car. It seems all my life Dad was parking the car someplace, coming in wet and half-frozen.

Dad was always sort of out of place. At birthday parties he just busied himself blowing up balloons, setting up tables and running errands. But it was Mom who carried the cake with the candles on it for me to blow out.

I remember when Mom told him to teach me how to ride a bicycle. I told him not to let go, but he said it was time. So, I fell, and Mom ran to pick me up. But he waved her off. I was so mad that I showed him. I got right back on that bike and rode it by myself. He didn’t even feel embarrassed. He just smiled.

When I went off to college he was fiddling with the luggage and the boxes. It was Mom who sat down and said that everything would be all right. She did all the writing. He just sent checks and a little note about how great his lawn looked now that I wasn’t playing football on it…

When I got married it was Mom who got choked up and cried. Dad just blew his nose loudly and left the room.

All my life he said, “What are you doing? What time are you going to be home? Do you have gas in the car? Who’s going to be there? No, you can’t go.” Not Mom, she just loved me.

But Daddy, he didn’t seem to know how to show love – unless, is it possible, that he was showing it all along, and I just didn’t recognize it?

On Mother’s Day we worked through What is a GODLY woman? Today we want to ask, What is a GODLY man? A godly man is like Jesus. And it doesn’t matter what your marital status is. Jesus was never married and He’s the standard of what it means to be a godly man. As 1 John 3:2 says, Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. Whatever our marital status, the Bible demands that all Christian men, seek to be godly men. So being a husband or a father is not a Christian man’s highest calling – being conformed to Jesus Christ is. Every Christian man has spiritual gifts given to him to use for the glory of God. Every Christian man is to glorify God in all that he is and does.

The only perfect model for a man is God. And God is repeatedly described as our Father in the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 6:18 God says, I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters… In Matthew 9:6 Jesus taught us to begin our prayers by saying, Our Father. The word “Father” is literally translated as “Abba” which means “Daddy.”

Have you ever wondered: “What does a godly man look like?” There are lots of opinions, so what does the Bible say? What are some guideposts for a godly man? If your taking notes…

1. A godly man loves the Lord. 

During His ministry Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment? He’d reply, love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind and then add to love your neighbor as yourself.

The first characteristic of a godly man is that he loves the Lord Jesus. This commandment sets the stage for everything else. If a man follows the first commandment, the rest will fall into place in his life. A godly man understands his first calling is to love his Savior.

In his bestselling book The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman writes about various “love languages” by which people communicate love. He suggests there is a distinct way every person gives and/or receives love. Words of affirmation, physical affection, gift-giving, service, and time are various ways that love is communicated. His argument is that to have a healthy relationship, you need to learn your partner’s love language and communicate love in a way that speaks their language.

What is God’s love language? God communicates His love in a very clear and definitive way. John 3:16-17 says, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 1 John 4:8-9 says, Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.

God communicated His love for the world by sending His Son to die on the Cross to pay for our sins. But how do we communicate love to God? To love God is to obey God. Love for God is not about a feeling on Sunday morning. It’s about a life of devotion and commitment every day.

If you love God, you obey God. 

Genuine love for God results in obedience. Rather than a burdensome list of rules, obedience is a joyful response to His love. When you truly care about someone, your natural desire is to honor them and align your actions with what pleases them.

Genuine obedience needs to be done out of a right heart. Jesus came so we could have a real relationship with Him based on love, not some list of rules. If we love Jesus, we’ll obey Him. Obedience flows from genuine love. 

We don’t have to work to make Jesus love us. He already loves us. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. When we realize how much He loves us, we want to love Him back. Obedience is simply proof that we love Him, just as a loving husband’s actions demonstrate his loving heart toward his wife.

If you love God, you want to know God.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him,rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7).A man who loves the Lord diligently pursues developing godly character. A.W. Tozer said: An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly. A godly man is a student of God’s word. Each day is a new chance for him to become better than he was yesterday. No matter how many times I’ve read any book in the Bible, there’s always something new to apply to my life, a new area to grow spiritually in.

A godly man devoted to spiritual growth welcomes feedback. He knows his strengths and weaknesses. Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. A godly man will listen to godly counsel and apply it to his life.

And a godly man spends time in prayer. The greatest feedback a man can get is from his Lord, so such a man will devote time in his day to reading God’s Word and prayer, seeking to know His heavenly Father.

2. A godly man is responsible. 

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). A man of godly character steps up to responsibilities. Before taking on the role of a husband or father, a godly man evaluates his heart and desire to take on the task of being responsible for those under his care. Being responsible isn’t just putting a roof over their heads but also being a provider of spiritual and emotional support. A godly man takes responsibility seriously whether it’s at work, in his neighborhood or home and family.

A responsible man prioritizes. 

Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’ (Luke 9:62). A godly man knows what his priorities are. It begins with time set aside to build his relationship with God, because that relationship is the foundation on which all earthly relationships are built on. A godly man understands where his focus is needed most at any given time, whether it’s in his family, work, church or community. The list is different for each person and in various seasons of life, but the characteristics show the same quality. 

A responsible man communicates.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ (Ephesians 4:15). He knows the importance of communication. He won’t slander or gripe about others. He’s open to talking through all matters of life, including conflicts. His words lift up others because he gives affirmation and wisdom. A godly man doesn’t avoid conversations that need to be had. He takes time to listen before speaking. While each of us has our own personal style of communication, learning to communicate well and openly is increasingly important, especially in today’s world that primarily communicates through technology. 

3. A godly man is generous. 

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered (Proverbs 11:24-25).He lives a life of generously serving and giving. He offers help to those in need. His spare time prioritizes serving God. This doesn’t mean only in his church, but in his family, his community, and friends. Selfishness has no place in a godly man’s heart. He uses his abilities for the glory of God to serve God and others. 

In the book, God So Loved, He Gave, Justin L. Borger shares a powerful story about a homeless woman who lived under a bridge in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. After providing Tammy with some basic hygiene supplies, he didn’t hear from her for a few weeks—until she called and said that she’d been raped. After Borger brought her to the hospital, Tammy started attending Borger’s church. The church also started providing vouchers so she could buy food and other items.

But Borger said that created a problem: Tammy kept giving the vouchers to other people. Borger told her, “Tammy, you need to keep this for yourself. Otherwise, you’ll run out of food.” But living under the bridge meant living with other needy people, and it was unthinkable for her to receive a gift and then not share it with others. So, with an incredulous stare she asked Borger, “Why can’t I give some too?” And Borger writes: I found myself taken aback. Why shouldn’t Tammy be allowed to give some of what she’d received? Wasn’t that exactly what I was doing? 

I paused for a moment. But then I gave her a very pragmatic answer: “We’re giving this to you, not to everyone else you meet.” Yet, I recognized the deeper problem: to only receive and never give back is to be belittled—to be humiliated. The good news is that God not only made us to be recipients of His grace but also participants in the sharing of His generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:7, God loves a cheerful giver. Probably the area most men struggle with is to be generous is with words of praise and encouragement. Brother, are you an encourager? Do your words build up and edify others? Would your wife and family say that you’re an encourager?

He extends kindness to all, no matter who they are. Just like Jesus loves us, we’re to love others. A godly man is generous in loving because he extends the blessings and grace God gives him to others. 

Pastor J.D. Greear made this observation, If you are not generous, you’ve never really experienced the Gospel. If you feel guilty about how little generosity you show, you don’t understand the Gospel. It’s impossible to truly experience Jesus and not be radically generous in response. A major component of what it means to be truly “converted” is that you realize His Kingdom is the most beautiful and lasting reality in the universe. You begin to find your significance in it, not in what you possess. So, you don’t have to spend lots of money to add significance to your life.

Then, you recognize Jesus, not money, is your security for the future. You don’t have to save extravagant amounts of money to feel secure. And to be truly saved means you have some sense of how gracious God has been to you. The Bible repeatedly says that the sign that you have tasted God’s grace is that you become gracious So, if you’ve really experienced the gospel, you’ll be generous because a godly man is generous.

4. A godly man is humble.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).Jesus walked this earth as a humble servant. A godly man strives to imitate Christ’s example. His pride is not a stumbling block for himself or others. He has reasonable expectations of others and doesn’t consider himself better than others. He’s not egotistical.

A humble man is a teachable man.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning (Proverbs 9:9). A godly man is teachable. He’s not opinionated and realizes that he doesn’t have all the answers. In other words, he’s not guilty of “man speak.” He knows where he lacks and finds ways to grow. While it’s not an overnight change, the fruits of dwelling in Scripture and being shaped by the Spirit will produce the right change and growth.

He looks for mentors to help him grow. Seeking out and receiving honest feedback is an indicator of a desire to keep growing into a man after God’s heart. This character trait requires a humble spirit and teachable resolve. 

A humble man is a forgiving man.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).  A godly man understands the price that was paid at the cross for his sins to be forgiven, so he knows how to forgive. He doesn’t hold on to past grudges. Instead, he’s quick to forgive and forget. Forgiveness opens ways to keep moving forward. Holding on to grudges is a weight that breeds poison and holds a man back from completing the mission set before him by God. 

Majid was born in Tehran. He was just eight years old when the Iranian Revolution erupted in 1979. Over the next eight years, the upheaval claimed the lives of eight of his brothers and sisters. His mother and one remaining sister survived but were imprisoned. “Everyone I loved died or was killed or taken to prison,” Majid writes.

At 19, as his father succumbed to Alzheimer’s, Majid was consumed by anger and thoughts of revenge, blaming the Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini, and the revolutionaries for his family’s suffering. Overwhelmed by grief and rage, he attempted to end his life by crashing his car in the hills outside Tehran. Miraculously unscathed, he stood at the edge of a valley and cried out, “Why did you take everything from me? I cannot love all these people who killed my family. Can you kill them all?” And in that moment, he experienced a vision: “I saw thousands of people praying for their enemies instead of fighting. From that moment, the hate inside me began to weaken. From that moment, ‘Somebody’ took me and helped me, though I was still very confused.”

In 2009, his surviving sister who had endured torture and imprisonment before escaping to the United States reached out to him, setting the stage for the next chapter in his journey. During that time, Majid’s mother took him to an English class at a local church. Then one Sunday he went to the church service. He watched as the pastor and church members began to pray for the people of Iran. Majid thought, “The Iran that teaches ‘death to America’ and wants to kill your citizens and neighbors. And you pray for them? Thousands of people praying for their enemies, showing love instead of hate.”

Standing in the back of that church, he started crying. He finally understood that he could know God and know peace. He was baptized and began reading the book of John. He thought, “this is my life on the page. I am the one lost sheep whom He went out to find.” A humble man is a forgiving man.

5. A godly man fears the Lord.

How blessed is a man who fears the Lord. In His commands he delights greatly (Psalm 112:1). Reverence would be another word for fearing the Lord. Fearing the Lord means having a 24/7 awareness of God’s holiness and power. It’s a healthy, loving reverence that leads to wisdom, a desire to avoid evil, and humble obedience.

A man of godly character walks in constant awe of the Lord’s greatness. This starts in the heart and manifests in actions – his seriousness and attentiveness to his life. Evidence of fearing the Lord will always be seen in a man’s daily walk with God. 

The godly man who fears God is obedient to His Word. He willingly complies and submits to God’s will for his life. He works to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Word of God is the well from which flows his life’s direction, answers, wisdom, encouragement, and so many other things. He submits to God’s final say in his life, because he believes God knows what’s best for him. 

Reverence for God is seldom mentioned today. We’re so focused on the love of God, as we should be, but we’ll never fully appreciate the love of God unless we’ve first learned the fear of God.

We can’t really sing Amazing Grace with understanding until we’ve had a glimpse of God’s amazing fearsome judgment. Psalm 34 says, The angels of the Lord encamp around them that fear Him. Oh fear the Lord you, His holy ones. For those who fear Him have no want. Come, oh children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Fear of the Lord permeates the Bible. The fear of God means to be in absolute awe of God. To be intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically overwhelmed by the holiness, power, purity, righteousness, justice, greatness and glory of God.

The Bible says that no one can see God and live. His awesomeness is too overwhelming. The invincible might of ten million soldiers armed with the latest implements of war or the explosive force of an atomic bomb, these things are but a snap of the finger of God.

To fear God is to have reverence for God. It’s to fall down on one’s face before God in adoration and worship. The people of Israel in Bible times had a great way of showing their reverence for the Lord. The covenant name of God, Yahweh, was so sacred that Jews refused to write it or say it out loud. When a Jewish scholar read the Old Testament and came to the word, Yahweh, he wouldn’t read it out loud or write it. Instead, he’d use the word, Adonijah, which means “my Lord.” That’s reverence.

Conclusion

Are you a godly man? Let me end with a question by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who was not a Pentecostal preacher but a Reformed one. When he pastored Westminster Chapel in London, he was known as a great preacher of Reformed theology. Near the end of his life—and some say at the very pinnacle of his ministry—he asked his congregation a question.

He said, “I want to talk to you today about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You may call it what you want, but I want to know, have you experienced the fullness of the Spirit? I know all of you listening to me come as I do from a Reformed background. But it’s not good enough. I know that all of you would want to say to my question about the Holy Spirit, ‘Well we got it all at conversion; there’s no need for any more experience.’

Then, Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “I have only one other question to ask you. If you got it all at conversion, where in God’s name is it?”

What was he saying? When you come to Christ, there’s a transformation. When you come to Christ, you’re baptized by the Holy Spirit. So, if you’ve been born-again and you’re baptized by the Holy Spirit – no one has to ask if it happened. There is such a transformation that you are a godly man (or woman), and everyone knows it! No one has to ask, “Where is it?” Because it’s all over your life! Being a Christ-follower has spiritually revolutionized your life! That’s what it means to be a godly man!

So, are you a godly man (or woman)? If not, are you sure that you are truly a Christ-follower?