Introduction:
Within Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son, there is a portion that states (about the father of the prodigal),…
Luke 15:20
:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Transition
: The role of a father is a unique and difficult one.
Ephesians 6:4:
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Psalm 103:13:
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
Hebrews 12:7:
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”
So a father’s place is unique and significant.
While Jesus is speaking in a parable form, I think it ok to look at the text to make some important applications.
2. The Reality
– Losses everything
Question
: While the father honored or at least concided to his sons portion/inheritance…
Question
: Isn’t it the mother’s job usually to be the comforter….the one with the unconditional love while the dad’s were the disciplinarians and strength/backbone? Maybe it’s this ‘sterotype’ that needs to change.
4. The Adversaries
– other brother
Application
: Don’t let him get away with it. It’s not fair/right!
5. The Response
– Father’s Gift
Participation
Introduction: Week Two. Preparation. Question: Have you ever wondered what Mary / the Virgin Mary did in preparation for what the angel pronounced to her about being with a child? Luke 1:3, ‘You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus’. (NLT) I will get to Mary and that…
Anticipation
Introduction: Well, the Christmas season is here! When fall has given way to winter and snow covers the ground while lights twinkle from house to house, you know Christmas is coming. Decorated Christmas trees are everywhere you look. Presents a crowd for space under the tree and families come together for a turkey feast. Christmas…
Grateful For Missions
Introduction: Missions, Missionaries, The Great Commission, Missions Trips, Outreaches, etc. Missions Heroes William Carey William Carey is regarded as the “father of modern missions”. Trained as a shoemaker, William Carey became known as the ‘father of modern missions’ for his missionary work in India. The story goes that in 1787, he suggested that all Christians…
That All Might Hear
Introduction: Missions, Missionaries, The Great Commission, Missions Trips, Outreaches, etc. ‘A Christian missionary is someone who dedicates their life to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others in His name. It is a challenging and rewarding path, but one that can transform lives, both the missionary and those they serve. ‘Missionaries are individuals…
A Person
Matthew 1 Introduction: Week 3 – Biblical Israel – The Person. We have finally arrived at the story of Jesus, which will bring the entire biblical story to a climactic fulfillment. The arrival of Jesus will introduce a massive twist into the drama, but it’s one that we’ve seen coming. In fact, to track the…
Biblical Israel – A Promise
Introduction: Genesis 12:1-3 ‘Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will…
Biblical Israel
A People Introduction: Given all the news about the War in Israel, I decided it would be important to spend a few weeks sharing what the Bible has to say about Israel: The People, The Promise, The Person, and The Plan. It could very well be that not only do our children not have an…
Pleasing Faith
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Keeping it Lit
Introduction: On last week on what we’ve been discussing about preaching the gospel because the last days are getting nearer and then judgment. Transition: Matthew 25 is a continuation of chapter 24 as Jesus continues to teach about being aware and prepared. I ended last week on Matthew 24:14 The rest of chapter 24 looks…