A Father's Heart

Fathers’ Day 2022

Theme: A Father’s Heart

Text: Luke 15:11-32 focus on verse 24

11 “… A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore, came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”

INTRODUCTION

The cost of raising a child today is astronomical. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the cost of raising a middle-class child today is $286,000.00. You say so much? I believe it costs more. What makes up this amount?

1. 6,000 diapers

2. 18,000 Baby Wipes

3. 500 rolls of toilet paper

4. 200 cans of formula

5. 160 baby outfits

6. 10 gallons of soap

7. Health Care

8. Housing

9. A stroller

10. 250 toys

11. A Crib

12. A bed

13. A potty

14. A nightlight

15. Baby monitors

16. Music

17. TV

18. Three trips to Disney

19. Fifteen trips to Chuckee Cheese

20. 60 Road Trips

21. 5,000 pics

22. 200 children’s Outfits

23. 150 Pre-teen outfits

24. 300 Teen outfits

25. 200 pairs of shoes

26. 25 Backpacks

27. 4 IPads

28. 300 books

29. 300 pens and pencils

30. Crayons

31. 30 Lunch boxes

32. 60 Video Games

33. 50 boxes of Kleen-ex

34. 120 sleepless nights per year

35. 5 cars

36. $80,000 College Fees

37. 3 Prom dresses/suits

38. Patience

39. Money

40. More Money

41. More Money

42. Time

43. Time

44. More Time

45. More Time

46. Love

47. Love

48. More Love

What does it really take to raise a child? Parents

A father is the male parent of a child, says the dictionary.

? Former President, Barack Obama says, “Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.”