By Rev. Eddie Victor

Excerpts from Rev. Eddie Victor's (Living Water Assemblies of God) Father's Day sermon ...

Introduction

Each day when we hear the local news on ZNS, Freeport News, Cable 12 and other media, the stories that are carried continue to reveal the social deterioration of Bahamian society. Our Country is at a critical stage of development, a pivotal point in the history of the Bahamas that which requires believers, especially men to become Men of Influence, Integrity and Impact. In this season in the Bahamas will require individuals, particularly men, who will rise up in the power of God and represent God in society.

... In 2 Kings 2 the Bible reveals to us the relationship that existed between Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was Elisha's mentor or teacher and Elisha was the apprentice or student. The two had a mentorship relationship.

Elijah appeared on the national scene of Israel in I Kings 17. When we first hear about Elijah he is declaring that 'there will be no rain or dew in Israel unless by his word' and we see that rain seized in Israel and a famine developed in the land.

Elijah begin his ministry in Israel in I kings 17 and not much is known about him.The bible reveals he was a Tishbite and an inhabitant of Gilead and nothing else He was a man with no reputation, no position, not a celebrity and had no credentials.

This reveals to us that God can use anyone that is willing to be submitted to his will. Elijah was raised up to confront the territorial spirit called Baal. The worship of Baal had become the state religion and Elijah mission was to turn the nation back to God.

This generation today is an Audio / Visual Generation that is motivated by what they see and hear. Much of the destructive manifestations that we see such as abuse, guns, domestic violence and crime, can be tied to what this generation has seen. We have young people that see others with guns, they see violence on TV and play violent video games. Before a generation has repeatedly seen destructive and violent acts like will manifest these things in their lives. Young people need to see a good example of fathers doing Godly and good things. Before Elijah was taken up into heaven Elijah asked Elisha 'what shall I do for you before I leave ?' Elisha replied 'Give me a double portion of your spirit.' Elijah would tell him 'This is a hard thing that you asked, but if you see me when I am taken up it shall be granted to you.'Elisha saw the power of God demonstrated in Elijah's life and wanted a double of what he had seen in his father's life Elijah. This generation is just as impressionable they will want more of what they see and we must show they the power of God moving in Godly fathers' lives. In 2 Kings 2:12 we get a further revelation of the relationship between Elijah & Elisha. Although a Mentorship relationship exited between Elijah and Elisha, there existed also a father and son relationship.

This is quite evident when Elijah was taken up by the chariot of fire into Heaven, Elisha cried out 'And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.' Apostle Paul during the era of the early church saw a dilemma taking place in lives of the believers and said in 1 Cor 4:15 'Even though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.'

... In society today there an urgent need for fathers to be functional in the lives of our young people in the Bahamas. The majority of children in our nation is been raised by single mothers. These children need the presence, protection and provision of caring fathers. A definition for the word father is progenitor which means originator. A father should be the pattern that children model their lives after. Men who are pursuing God must be prepared to be fathers to children who did and didn't come from their loins. In Elisha's cry he further said '... the chariot of Israel and its horseman' (2 Kings 2:12). It would appear that Elisha was talking about two different individuals, but in researching the original text we find that he was talking about one person.

... Elijah was seen by Israel as a prophet and a warrior. In 1 Kings Chapter 18 Elijah alone stood up to 950 prophets of Baal and Asherah. He alone called down fire from Heaven and consumed his prepared sacrifice. Then he executed all the false prophets. This generation needs fathers who will fight against the ills of society that comes against our children. In closing the Bible shows us in James 5:17-18 that Elijah was a man just like us.

James 5:17-18 'Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.'

Every man has the capability to be use by God in a meaningful and powerful. Also, what Elijah we too have the ability to do it. Like Elijah was a Father to Elisha, Men need to become Fathers of Faith to the children of this Generation in The Bahamas.