107 Coldren Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904, United States
Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
May Sermons 2026
Communion Sunday
5-3- The Joy of Holiness
Nehemiah 8:8-11 Titus 3:5-7
Mother’s Day
5-10- A Mother’s Vow
1 Samuel 1:11 Proverbs 31:10 + Proverbs 31:30
Ascension Sunday
5-17 What Goes Up Must Come Down
Daniel 7:13+14 Acts 1:6-11
Pentecost Sunday
5-24 A Holy Ghost Pour Out
Joel 2:28-32 Acts 2:1-4
Memorial Day Sunday
5-31- Never Forget
Exodus 12:14 Mark 14:3-9
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
Some Thoughts on the Impact of a Father's Choices
Even the best parents can have rebellious children, but some of King David’s children were truly awful. Amnon raped his own sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:14), Absalom led a revolt (2 Samuel 15-17), and Adonijah tried to steal his father’s throne.
Adonijah was the oldest of David’s remaining sons and a likely successor to his father’s throne. His chariots, entourage, and natural good looks gave him a kingly appearance. But like his brother Absalom, Adonijah was overly ambitious.
“Adonijah... put himself forward and said, ‘I will be king’” (1 Kings 1:5).
Since David was frail at this point in his life, Adonijah appointed himself king without expecting much resistance. He had the support of many officials, including Joab (David’s general) and Abiathar (David’s priest). So Adonijah held a celebration to make his kingship official. Once again, David’s throne was being challenged by one of his own sons.
Where did David go wrong?
Even though David was known as a man after God’s own heart, his personal sin with Bathsheba had a residual effect that would ripple through his children’s lives. The seeds of sin in his life had been sewn into the lives of his offspring, and David failed to address it. It’s almost as if he avoided dealing with the sin and dysfunction in the lives of his children.
David was also a busy king and probably delegated most parental duties to the mothers of his children. Most mothers are well equipped for this, but religious training is a father's duty. The Apostle Paul wrote:
“Fathers should raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
Mothers are helpful and effective (2 Timothy 1:5), but there’s no substitute for a good and godly father.
I know some amazing single moms—or moms who are trying to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord without the support of their children’s dads—but there's no substitute for the impact of a father who's faithful in living faith and engaged in raising their children to love and serve God.