By Philips Robinson-Adefioye, UK
Father’s Day, as we know it originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It was inspired by the success of Mother’s Day and was spearheaded by Sonora Smart Dodd who wanted to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised her and her siblings alone after her mother’s death.
The first Father’s Day celebration took place in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910. Although it gained some traction, it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon officially declared Father’s Day a national holiday, celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Divine Revelation Parish, Liverpool, United Kingdom celebrated the Father’s Day in an appreciable way to honour the fathers.
The sermon of the day titled: ”A father,Man who Dreams Big and Make Me to stand Tall” delivered by the parish Pastor Jacob Oluwabiyi, stressed on how the fathers should distinguish themselves and stand tall in everything they do.
Pastor Oluwabiyi who drew the message text from the book of 2 Corinthians 6:18 hinted that the word ‘Father’ is attraction despite the Adamic fall but the celebration of the ‘Father’s Day’ is a way of showing that they are loved and amplifying their efforts.
In his words: “The fathers should always distinguish themselve in whatever they do, show responsibility and stand tall despite the circumstances or challenges before you.
“The word “Father” is: attraction despite the Adamic fall, honouring the fathers is treating them in high regard and amplifying their efforts”.
According to Oluwabiyi, there should be a relationship between the father and his family, citing an example of how he was stepping out from his room, the children accosted him with a lovely song wishing him Happy Father’s Day which shows the bonding between him and the children.
He further urged the fathers not to be too imposing but encourage them to have faith, to be good visionary, good leaders, be good mentors and also to be protective which he backed up from the bible in the book of Habakuk 2:4, Romans 1:7, 2Kings 20:3-7, Matthew 27:46 where he gave an example of Jesus while on the cross.
The charismatic Pastor emphasized that a father needs not to brag of who is in charge of the home, pointing out that doing so means the father has lost his authority which he backed up with Deuteronomy 16:17.
www.sunrisetimes.com.ng reports that no man(father) in the parish returned home without a Father’s Day gift.
