What Fathers can Learn from Andy Griffith Today is Father's Day. Let's talk about some things we can learn from this TV father.

Andy Griffith Show ● Even if you were not born then, you have seen the re- runs of Andy Griffith. There were 249 episodes which ran from 1960 to ● Today we can watch this show and be reminded that there is some value in the old ways. ● God calls men to the “old paths” - Jeremiah 6:16a Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it.

1 – Take their rightful place ● Remember the episode where the older boy taught Opie how to throw a temper tantrum to get his way? But Andy did not buy it. ● Fathers must not be manipulated by the child ● Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. ● Part of the training is to “honor father and mother” (Exodus 20:12)

2 – You don't have to be filthy ● Today many shows use filth, profanity, vulgarity and immorality for their humor. ● You can be a father without the filth ● Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ● Ephesians 5:3-4 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

2 – You don't have to be filthy ● Matthew 12: Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

3 – Integrity matters ● Andy Griffith tried to do the right thing, live with integrity. ● Job lived with integrity. ● Job 2:3 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause."

3 – Integrity matters ● Job 27:5 Far be it from me That I should say you are right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. ● Not many examples like that on TV today. ● Our name (reputation) must be earned. ● Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

4 – Don't think too highly of self ● Andy Griffith was humble. ● Big city police would need Andy's help. But Andy was not arrogant or boastful. ● Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ● James 4:6b Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

5 – Respect is better than fear ● Andy didn't carry a gun. “When a man carries a gun all the time, the respect he's getting might really be fear. So I don't carry a gun because I don't want the people of Mayberry to fear a gun. I'd rather they respect me.” ● God must be respected because of His great love for us. ● God must be feared because of his power and might.

5 – Respect is better than fear ● Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. ● The lesson of respect must be learned by: – Those in government and all in authority – Christians – Preachers and elders – Fathers and mothers

I Miss Mayberry ● Song by Rascal Flatts ● As you look at TV and see movies today many of these things are missing. ● We can't unwind the clock of time ● But we can still ask for the old paths. ● They are still available today.

Ask for the old paths ● Jeremiah 6:16a Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it.