THE DAD GOD USED AS AN EXAMPLE
It’s good to be a man, isn’t it, men? 12 top reasons it’s good to be a man.
1: Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
2: A 5-day holiday requires only one suitcase.
3: When clicking through the channels, you don’t have to stall at every shot of somebody crying.
4: Guys in hockey masks don’t attack you ... unless you’re playing hockey.
5: You only need 2 or 3 pairs of shoes.
6: Car mechanics tell you the truth.
7: You can admire Clint Eastwood without starving yourself to look like him.
8: Gray hair and wrinkles only add character to men.
9. We can do our nails during 1 traffic light.
10: If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you just might become lifelong buddies.
11: The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
12. We get to be Dads!
It’s great to be a man, and it’s great to be a dad!
In the 15th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells 3 parables. The first, the parable of the lost sheep, tells us how God responds to someone who wanders away. The second, the parable of thee lost coin, tells us how excited God and heaven is when someone who was lost, is found. The third, the parable we know as the parable of the Prodigal Son, gives us a beautiful picture of what our Heavenly Father is like, and it is that one I would like to look at this morning as we think about Fathers.
- Read Luke 15:11-32
This is one of the three parables Jesus told because the religious leaders of His day were complaining that Jesus treated the “sinners”, the bad people of society so well. In this parable Jesus gives us a great picture of what our heavenly Father is like, but we also see in this passage 6 traits of a godly dad. Notice with me first:
I. A GODLY DAD SETS A STANDARD 13, 17-18
Verse 13 us that after getting his inheritance from his father, that the youngest son left the house. Now I am sure there were probably many reasons the son left his parents’ house. He probably left because he thought it would be more exciting in another place. He probably left because he thought it would be more exciting with different friends than he had around his parents’ home; but I believe one of the reasons, probably the main reason he left, was that there were certain standards in that house and he chafed under those rules and with that standard.
Later in verses 17-18 we read that the young boy came to his senses. He came and told his dad that he had sinned against the dad and against heaven. How did he come to his senses? How did he realize that he had sinned against heaven and his dad? He did so because his dad had set a certain standard, a certain climate in the home when he was growing up.
>Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.
The dad knew that unless the Lord was the head of his house, that all of his work would amount to nothing, so he made sure his was a godly home. He set a standard to his home and his family.
How do you do that? How do you make your home a godly home and instill that value in your children? You do it by:
1. Teaching your children about God – Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Notice, that in order to teach your children about God, you must first know God yourself.
> 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
Dads, don’t settle for the preacher knowing about God. Don’t settle for your children’s Sunday School teachers or their Mom learning the Bible, Dads, make sure you know the Bible yourself.
But also, take the time to teach your children about God yourself. Point out to them things you learn from the Bible, and never miss an opportunity to teach them about God during the day…
Well, it was a typical scenario of young boys debating whose father was the best. This discussion highlighted who their fathers knew. The first boy started the debate by claiming his father knew the mayor. He was soon topped by the second boy who said, "That’s nothing. My dad knows the governor." The stakes were getting pretty high, and the eavesdropping father wondered what his young son would say about him. The little boy shot back, "So what! My dad knows God!" Would your son say the same thing? May our children always be able to say, "My dad knows God!"
A godly dad sets a standard by teaching his children about God, but he also does it by living a godly life in front of his children.
2. Living a godly life in front of your children
Forget that devilly deception about, “Do what I say, not what I do”. Live a godly life in front of your children. Live in front of them, what you want them to be.
* Good Samaritan, I do it today because that’s what I saw my Dad doing.
His little arms crept round my neck,
And then I heard him say,
Four simple words I can’t forget,
Four words that made me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul,
On secrets no one knew,
They startled me, I hear them yet,
He said, “I’ll be like you!”
II. A GODLY DAD PRAYS FOR HIS CHILDREN
- Luke 15:20
When the son was still a long way off, the Father saw him. His children were often in his thoughts and prayers. …
III. A GODLY DAD MAKES TIME FOR HIS CHILDREN
- v20
When the son was still a long way off, his father saw him.
This dad had many things to do. He had responsibilities. He had a home to take care of. He had a farm to run. He had a business to take care of. Friends of his were sitting down in the city gate, waiting for him to come and share a cup of coffee and the news of the day. Where was this man? He was looking for his son.
* Volleyball behind the barn. Daddy telling Mama, “Linda, come on. That stuff will wait, but the boys won’t be here forever.”
Dads, make time for your children. Yes, take some occasional time for yourself. Visit with your friends. Take care of your business and do a good job at work, but don’t neglect your children.
IV. A GODLY DAD FORGIVES HIS CHILDREN
- Luke 15:20
… filled with compassion, he ran, threw his arms around him & kissed him. He didn’t hold a grudge. He didn’t say, “I told you so.” He didn’t have to. The son knew he had messed up. His dad forgave him.
V. A GODLY DAD BLESSES HIS CHILDREN
- Luke 15:20-24
He threw his arms around him, kissed him, & welcomed him. He blessed him.
- Genesis 27:26-29
1. Through Touch – Kissed him. Hugged him. Drew wanting to wrestle. Sitting next to me on the couch at night before bed. Touch your children. Hug your children.
2. Through Speech – Talk to your children. Not just getting on to them. …
3. Through Value – Genesis 27:29
Let your children know how special they are. Show them they are of great worth. Let them see the possibilities. Paint a good future for them. Let them see what can be.
The prodigal son’s dad butchered a fatted calf because his son came home. Those were set aside for special occasions, and for special people.
He said, “Son, you are special. You are valuable to me.”
VI. A GODLY DAD ACCEPTS HIS CHILDREN
- Luke 15:31-32 The boys are different. They have different temperaments, likes, priorities, & personalities, but he loved them both.
Conclusion – Many decision to make. Will you decide today, I will be that man?
