Remembering Our Fathers

Remembering Fathers

Introduction-

Good Morning…welcome. If you have your bibles either your bible or phone app would you turn to Luke chapter 15

It is tough preaching Father Day message because there is a mixed crowd of people with mixed emotions.

Some who’s father have died and they miss them greatly.

Some who have fathers who are very much alive and yet they are not active in their lives.

Each comes this morning and wants to hear a word from the Lord- I believe He has one if you have a heart that is centered on our heavenly Father.

Prayer

For me, I had no father at home, I was 1 ½ years old and had a pregnant mom with my brother when they split up. I had no father to watch any of my sports accomplishments and had no father to teach me what life was all about or what I could expect. It did not happen because I only met my father one time in my life for about one hour with my brother when I was 19 years old. It was a once and done moment for my brother and I to see what He looked like and who we came from. We both knew that it was not going anywhere because if he wasn’t in our life when we were young, we didn’t need him as an adult. He has since died with his other family. Anyone relate to that?

It is hard times for anyone- I did have someone to step up and be that part in my grandfather and my uncle- the two closest men in my life till after I graduated high school. So for me dad was only a word- a person who didn’t exist so when I got married and became a father I was going to learn things the hard way- because no one gave me a blueprint with all the answers.

Why am I telling you this? Because some of you know painfully well what I am talking about. You have walked that road. For others, you say I cannot imagine, my father has played a big part of my life and has always been there- thank God- no really, you should thank God for that!

If your earthly father did not measure up to what he was suppose too, I want you to know that it was not suppose to be that way but your heavenly father is not that way- He is not like your earthly father, your earthly father was suppose to be like him.

This morning no matter what road you have journeyed… blessed or challenged I want us to center in on our heavenly Father and what He desires for each of us.

I have five grown children and three of those children have children and I now have five grandchildren. Was I the perfect father? Of course not! Would I change a few decisions raising them? Of course I would. But we do our best and leave the rest to the Lord to help us every step of the way.

Before we go to the text, let me read you some words of encouragement from His word.

Titus 1:9

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Who must hold firm?

You must hold firm to the word of God that was taught to you or learned.

So that it will give you instructions and you will have a defense against those that try to sway you away from his word.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Again, so you will not grow weary because the road is long and hard and if you do not give up you will see victory.

Anyone tired and weary?

Anyone thinking about giving up?

Matthew 7:9-11

which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

For those who have kids- those of us who have made an impact on someone else kids- if you know how to give good gifts to those you love, how much more will your heavenly ‘Father know how to give you His child good things to those that ask!

Listen, we cannot change the past but we can change the future.

We can do something about what is ahead of us and use the past to encourage us either to do the same or completely change it.