A Father’s Love

Luke 15:22 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.

INTRODUCTION: We would like to celebrate all of the father’s today by letting you know that we (as a society) appreciate who you are and what you do on a daily basis. Thank you for being a covering, for your teaching, training and mentorship to those in your sphere of influence. Your knowledge and wisdom through word and demonstration is essential to influencing the next generation. You are honored in the sight of God. You have been faithful over the few… God will make you ruler over many.

TRANSITION: As we celebrate the men today, we want to take a look at a familiar passage of scripture that demonstrates a father’s love and wisdom on full display. The title of today’s message is “A Father’s Love.” We will cover the following three points:

Point 1: The Actions of a Son

Point 2: The Reaction of a Brother

Point 3: The Interaction of a Father

POINT 1: The Actions of the Son

Luke 15:11 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.

This parable is about a man who had two sons. One son wanted his inheritance early. In his mind, he thought that there was more to life than what he was currently experiencing. He felt that he could do better on his own so he took some Actions that were not wise or beneficial.

Impatient: He wanted his inheritance (blessing/anointing) prematurely. Although the inheritance (blessing/anointing) was rightfully his, he moved out of season. There was a perfecting (maturing) process that he didn’t want complete.

There are many people in the Body of Christ who don’t like where they are in life. In their minds, there are some other things that they could/should be doing.

On one hand, we should have a desire to move to the next level in every area of our lives (ministry, finances, vocation, education, relationships, etc.). However, we must always understand “seasons.” God’s timing might not be the same as ours.

Emotional: This young man made an emotional decision that negatively impacted his life. He made irrational decisions based on how he was feeling. He made a permanent decision based on a temporary circumstance.

Wasteful: This young man gathered all of his belongings and left home. He “wasted his substance with riotous living” (Riotous: disorderly, unruly, uncontrolled, lawless, rebellious, rowdy, etc.)

There are many people in the Body of Christ that are “wasting their substance” on riotous living. They have an anointing, but they are disorderly; a calling but unruly; gifts but uncontrollable; talent but lawless; potential but rebellious.

Like many of us this young man made some bad personal decisions that placed him in an uncomfortable position. Although he was in a self made mess, it wasn’t the end of the road for him. God still had a purpose and a plan for his life. He still had a destiny to fulfill regardless of his past actions. His destiny was not limited/restricted to his season!

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee…

? He had an “Ah Ha” moment. He remembered who he was. There had been some seed deposited into him from his youth that said, “You are not restricted or limited to what you are going through. There is a king in you!” He recognized his mistakes and truly repented .

? Humility: He came to himself and remembered who he was. He humbled himself, repented (changed his mindset) and returned home. This is how we should remember this man!

POINT 2: The Reaction of the Brother

Luke 15:25 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.

? Servant’s Heart: The older brother continued to serve even though his sibling left home. He remained faithful to his Father and continued to serve even though his brother had fallen away.