Multipurpose Men
2020 Vision • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsThis message is a both an encouragement and challenge for fathers using 3-In-One Oil as a metaphor.
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Fathers
Fathers
Now, fathers, you have been expecting something like the next statement. “Children need to have fathers in their lives”. I pulled this statement from the magazine Fatherly…
Although motherhood has dominated past parenting studies, researchers are learning more about what makes a good dad and how to be a good dad every day. So far, they know that kids who grow up with a present, engaged dad are less likely to drop out of school or wind up in jail, compared to children with absent fathers and no other male caretakers or role models. When kids have close relationships with father figures, they’re less likely to have sex at a young age and tend to avoid other high-risk behaviors. They’re more likely to have high-paying jobs and healthy, stable relationships when they grow up. They also tend to have higher IQ test scores by the age of 3 and endure fewer psychological problems throughout their lives when fatherhood is taken seriously.[1]
We don’t say this on Mother’s Day because it is already ingrained into us – kids need their moms. However, I really want to change the way that you are listening to me today. Patrick Morley in The Man in the Mirror challenges us:
After all is considered, the number one shortcoming of man at the close of the twentieth century (as it has been at the close of every century) is that we lead unexamined lives. Most men have not carefully chiseled their life view by a personal search for truth and obedience to God.[2]
Some of us are fathers of grown children. Others of us are fathers with kids still at home. Others are soon to be fathers (Jacob). And, others have fatherhood as something to look forward to in the future. Regardless of where you are, listen to learn ways that you can become a better father for your family.
3 in 1 Oil
3 in 1 Oil
A couple of months ago I was working in my shop and smelled the scent of 3 in 1 oil. The sense of smell has a way of transporting us and, for me, the smell of 3 in 1 oil took me back to my childhood and my father’s shop. Dad used 3 in 1 oil for everything. He put it on my bicycle chain, used it on a sharpening stone before sharpened his tools, applied it to bolts that were stuck, oiled mom’s sewing machine, and put a layer on the snow shovel. The list could go on and on. Heck, for that matter he may have used it as a cologne!
God Uses Fathers Like My Father Used 3 in 1 Oil
God Uses Fathers Like My Father Used 3 in 1 Oil
3-In-One Oil Lubricates
3-In-One Oil Lubricates
Each time that I use one of my nail guns I put a little bit of 3-In-One Oil into the inlet before I put the tool away. I have learned the hard way that forgetting to lubricate the moving parts on nail guns will cause the gun to seize up. The parts inside the gun are undergoing stress from the heat of friction.
Studies indicate that stress levels are higher than ever before.
Families that have the highest stress levels are those with school-age children. Remember back to when we had school? Wake up, get ready, shuffle off to school, homework, play time, family time, and activities. One study suggested that families with children in ‘outside’ activities reported the most stress of all.
Dads, you are the oil for your family to protect them from the friction that they experience in their lives.
Gone are the days when the definition of a ‘good dad’ was someone who provided well for the family. Of course, it never ended there because being a good father requires a constant state of readiness and demands spiritual strength. Being a father is not like building a deck or hanging wallpaper. It is a 24 hour a day, seven-day-a-week responsibility for years and years. Sometimes the responsibility is a passive one, but even then, parents are like napping firefighters, ready to jump and run.[3]
Guys, you know the look that you get from your wife. She’s exhausted. The kids are hyped up on large doses of Little Debbie’s Swiss Rolls. You need to apply some of dad’s 3-In-One-Oil. It is not just for families with little ones. You have grown kids and you see that they are stressed out with financial concerns, parenting, job pressures and more. You’ve been there. You are a veteran of that war. Provide some 3-In-One-Oil of understanding, kindness, and wisdom.
Oil will not dry up under heat. Men, be strong under the heat of stress!
3-In-One Oil Penetrates Rust
3-In-One Oil Penetrates Rust
One of the things that I remember watching my father do was put 3-In-One Oil on rusted bolts. I remember not being very impressed. It didn’t seem like that oil was going to do much good on a nut that was frozen. I’ve learned this about 3-In-One Oil, it is a very thin oil. Because of that, the oil will penetrate into the rust and cause it to soften.
At the beginning of the book of Isaiah, God tells the people that they are not behaving the way they ought to. Things aren’t going well….there is no oil to sooth their wounds.
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.
Fathers, realize that you have the opportunity and the ability to change the atmosphere of the home.
Rust builds up when things are ignored and eventually the rust will weaken the iron.
The atmosphere that you allow in your home becomes the culture of your children. It has become increasingly difficult to monitor the “voices” that are allowed to speak into our homes—the internet, smartphones, and television has invited influences that are not always in agreement with our belief systems. I am sure that internet filters and monitoring controls for these devices are helpful but we should be the primary filters for the culture of our homes.
Our spiritual 3-In-One Oil is the Spirit of God. Paul contrasts the things that create ‘rust’ to the things that break ‘rust’ up in Galatians 5:
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Our gift today to you on this Father’s Day is this bottle of 3-In-One Oil. It represents these gifts of the Spirit that each of us have to intentionally encourage in our lives.
Demonstrate love. Joy and peace are not just Christmas themes. Model patience, kindness, and goodness. Be self-controlled.
When there is no oil, there is no softening and only sorrow.
3-In-One Oil Cleans
3-In-One Oil Cleans
You don’t want to use 3-In-One Oil on your kitchen counters, but out in the shop it works great to clean tools. It is a great solvent once any rust or scaling has been removed. All week long I’ve been applying the oil to the tools that I use. It is amazing how much neglect take place unless you are really thinking about it.
That brings up an interesting point. At the opening of the message I mentioned that I hoped this message would make us examine ourselves. Patrick Morley suggested we should examine our lives. Let’s mention discipline for a moment. I believe in the proper use of corporeal punishment (spankings). But sometimes we get lazy and overdo it. We have often heard “Spare the rod and spoil the child” but the entire verse says:
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
…”the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”. I don’t put axle grease on my tape measure. I use WD-40 or 3-In-One Oil. I don’t put 3-In-One Oil in the engine of my truck. As parents we need to be thoughtful about the way that we discipline our children. Thoughtfulness demonstrates love.
You can use consequences other than spanking. You can use the issue to teach. Yes, it takes more thought and time but use the right oil for the right situation.
Men, another way to use your oil is to heal.
Do you remember the Good Samaritan? A man was on his way to Jericho when he got beat up by robbers. He was left for dead in the ditch. After being neglected by the priest and the Levite a kind Samaritan helped him. In addition to his kindness he applied oil and wine to his wounds:
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
Of course, the oil that would have been used by the Samaritan would have been olive oil. Olive oil is still used. The properties of the oil work as anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agents.
Forgiveness goes a long way when it comes to healing. Humility also heals.
We are going to get hurt and hurt others. The oil for these wounds is to forgive others and to ask forgiveness of others when you have done something wrong. These things prevent emotional fungus and emotional bacteria from having a feast on us.
So, those are the reasons that this oil got the name 3-In-One Oil – lubricates, penetrates rust, and cleans. But, there is also another quality.
3-In-One Oil is Long-Lasting
3-In-One Oil is Long-Lasting
I don’t want to use a product that is only temporary. I don’t have the time reapply every day. Fortunately, 3-In-One Oil is long-lasting. I want to refer to something else Patrick Morley wrote in The Man in the Mirror.
“What do you think is a man’s greatest need? Someone recently mentioned they would like their tombstone to read, “He made a difference.” Whether we speak of achieving our full potential, or only of surviving to the next paycheck, men invariably talk about their need to be significant. A man’s most innate need is his need to be significant—to find purpose and meaning:
• “I want to make a difference.”
• “I want my life to count.”
• “I want my life to have meaning.”
• “I want to have an impact.”
• “I want to make a contribution.”
• “I want to do something important with my life.”
• “I want to conquer, achieve, excel, prove myself.”
• “I want to be somebody.”
• “I want my life to be significant.”
The difference in men is in how we go about satisfying our need to be significant. Some men, eager for the spoils of this life, pursue significance by gratifying only their own ambitions. Others, trained by the Scriptures, find it by obeying God.”[4]
I believe that if we take the things we’ve discussed today seriously, then we will leave a legacy with our families and communities.
In the OT, oil was used as an offering for God. When we examine our lives and become intentional about our opportunities to reduce stress, establish a healthy environment, demonstrate godliness, and bring healing we are offering a pleasing sacrifice to God.
Take your bottle of oil and keep it somewhere as a reminder of your privilege as men and fathers.
[1] Krisch, Joshua A. Fatherly. “The Science of Dad and the ‘Father Effect’”. Accessed June 15,2020. https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/science-benefits-of-fatherhood-dads-father-effect/
[2] Morley, Patrick. The Man in the Mirror. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-man-in-the-mirror/id5277050211.
[3] Garland, Diana. Family Ministry. 563.
[4] Morley, Patrick. The Man in the Mirror. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-man-in-the-mirror/id527705011 This material may be protected by copyright.