What You Can Give To The Father Who Has Everything

 

 

 

Luke 15:10-24

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

11 And he said, 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.

 

Fathers can have the hardest time trying to meet all of their families needs, but it seems like as time goes by their children and wife need more and more things.

 

In 1916, if a father put a roof over his family’s head, he was a success.

In 2016, it takes a roof, pool, 4-car garage, and a basketball court. And that’s just the outside!

 

In 1916, a father waited outside for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.

In 2016, a father must wear a smock, cut the umbilical cord, and make sure film is in the video camera.

 

In 1916, fathers could count on children to join the family business.

In 2016, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR.

 

In 1916, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.

In 2016, a father spends $800 at Toys ‘R’ Us and the kid is still unhappy.

 

In 1916, it was a happy meal when Father shared funny stories around the table.

In 2016, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald’s.

 

In 1916, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.

In 2016, a father’s involved only if he coaches a footy team and organizes Boy Scouts.

 

In Luke 15, It was all about taking…

The wayward son wanted his share of his dad’s inheritance at that SPECIFIC moment.

His dad was taking too long to die and was as good as dead to the younger son.

The son had no hesitations asking for his portion.

Obviously, the son wanted to use his inheritance to his own pleasure and self-destruction.

He was tired of living the way his Father did.

God has given us life, health and a mind to make decisions. It’s very easy to waste it all in a pleasure-filled, selfish, sinful lifestyle.

The son did just that with such eagerness that the reputation of his wicked lifestyle reached all the way home.

His devilish friends understood taking as well, and they took from him until he had nothing more to give, then they left him too.

After working as a servant for a citizen, and noticing that the pigs were being fed better than himself, he decided to go home.

He did not expect to find a warm welcome, but he knew that his father would be a better employer than the one he was presently serving.

How many times do we fall into the trap of thinking we are working for God rather than working for the devil?

No, we are not working for God; we are working with God! We are His children, not employees!

He would apologize and hope for a job.

He didn’t get a chance to finish his apology.

He repented of his sins, was given a royal robe and a royal ring.

A party was called in his honour; the once dead son returning alive!

 

When God looked for a metaphor to explain Himself to us, he chose Fathers!

God is the father in this story.

God likes to be known primarily as our Father.

He created us, and wants us to understand that relationship.

He also begets us by His Word when we are born again – and then we are truly sons of God and can enjoy the relationship that our original birth was meant to lead us to.

 

Proverbs 3:12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

 

Have you ever been spanked by the Lord?

God corrects those He loves! He said He delights in us! Yes! Us!

He does NOT want us to get into sinful habits! SPANK – Stop it!

He wants to shake our world and get us out of sin! SPANK – Stop it!

He does it because He loves us! SPANK – Stop it!

It might even result in us being embarrassed or inconvenienced!

What is the role of the Father in the home?

He is the High Priest of the family.

He is to PRAY for his family individually and establish a hedge about his family through prayer to the Lord for protection and blessings.

He is to LOVE his wife, the mother of his children.

He is to WATCH over the house, like Adam, to protect the family from evil influences. He is not to just observe!

He is to LEAD the family into righteousness. He is to do what is right and to encourage his family to do likewise!

He is to INSPIRE and CORRECT his children. He needs to cheer them on to do what they are gifted to do, and he is to rebuke them when they neglect or misuse their potential.

The father MODELS God – the children will get their impression of God through their experience with their father.  A good father leaves a good impression; a bad father leaves children afraid to submit themselves to a supernatural heavenly father who is much bigger and more powerful!

 

Fathers are not to hide behind the spiritual leadership of the wife, but the fathers are to lead with holy boldness and empower their wife and children through the example of a strong, confident man who trusts in the Lord for all things.

 

What Can You Give to the Father Who Has Everything?

 

What did the father of the rebellious son want?  His son back!

 

We have run for too long – we need to return to the Father!

 

What does God want from us this Father’s Day?

 

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.