“Words from Father”
June 15, 2014
1 John 3:1-2
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
I had the toughest dad in Northern Minnesota. He was respected by everyone. Being a decorated World War II hero had something to do with it. His reputation as a fighter certainly had something to do with it. His ability to use harsh and profane words when crossed had something to do with it. But there was no doubt – he was respected. He demanded respect. And we respected him.
Dad could also be tender and gentle, too, especially when he accepted Christ as his Savior. When he held a baby or when he held Mom in his arms I saw I side of him that was usually kept hidden.
Dad’s words were very impactful. When he spoke – you better be listening. If not, a swift cuff upside the head would get your attention. Usually his words to me seemed pretty harsh and stern, but sometimes he would impart words of wisdom that I clearly remember to this day.
I remember when I joined the army during the Vietnam Conflict, dad gave me some advice on how to survive. I remember the words he spoke about being a good worker. That was important to him. I applied those words and was a employee everyplace I worked.
But the words that were most impactful to me where words not spoken. There are three things a child needs to hear from his father, 1. I love you; 2. I’m here; and 3. Good job!
Some of you don’t remember words that your father spoke because he wasn’t around. Maybe you didn’t have a father. Some of you had a father but maybe you would have been better off without him. I heard about some kids who had talked their Mom into getting a hamster. They promised to take care of their pet, whom they named “Danny.”
Within two months, though, Mom was taking care of Danny. One day Mom decided enough was enough; Danny would be given to a new owner. She called the kids together to tell them. One child said, “I’ll miss him. He’s been around here a long time.” The other child remarked, “Maybe he could stay if he ate less and wasn’t so messy.” Mom was firm, “It is time to take Danny to a new home.”
“Danny?” the kids wailed, “We thought you said Daddy.”
Ernest Hemingway lacked the love of a father in his life. I have read that he grew up in a very devote Christian home, but apparently he never received the love from his father that he needed, or responded to God’s grace. A story he wrote about a father gives a little glimpse into the longing of his soul. It is the story of a Spanish father who decided to reconcile with his son who had run away to Madrid. The father, in a moment of remorse, takes out this ad in the newspaper. "Paco, meet me at Hotel Montana, Noon, Tuesday… All is forgiven… Papa."
When the father arrived at the square in hopes of meeting his son, he found eight hundred Paco’s waiting to be reunited with their father. Was Paco such a popular name? Or was there just that many Pacoes who longed for their father's forgiveness? Perhaps that was the longing of Hemmingway’s heart as well when he ended his own life at the age of 63.
My Dad has been gone for quite a few years now, but I realize that I still am affected by his words in many ways. The words I didn’t hear from him until I was 42 was, “I love you”. Sure – I knew he did. He showed his love in many ways. We were always taken care of and provided for. But every child needs to hear those words addressed to him personally by his father – I love you.
When I was 42 I had a massive heart attack, and lying on what I thought I was my deathbed, I only had three regrets - I never went to Israel, I never grew a beard and never heard my Dad say “I love you”.
When I recovered I must have shared those words with my mom – because it wasn’t too long after that – that Dad called and before he hung up he spoke those three powerful words to me. From that time until he died many years later he often spoke them and even felt free enough for a quick, manly hug from time to time.
Words matter – don’t they? And those three words especially matter. They can build us up into strong men and women, knowing we are love and instilling in us a confidence that enable us to face the world head on. Without them they leave us insecure and uncertain in many areas of life.
In our Scripture this morning we are told,
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … Dear friends, now we are children of God!” 1 John 3:1-2
Do you realize that you are a child of God and you belong to the Perfect Father? As a child of God you need to hear those words from your Heavenly Father – I love you. It is not good enough to know that God loves ‘everybody’ or God loves the whole world. You need to hear those words whispered into your ear by the Holy Spirit referring to no one but you.
We know God loves us. The Bible says,
“1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4
When I look around me; when I look at the works of the Father’s loving hands – I know I am loved. But we need something more, don’t we? I remember when my heavenly Father first told me He loved me. I was driving home from my parent’s house, after a huge argument with my Dad, to my little apartment on the east side of town. I stopped at the stop sign on the intersection in front of the police station and muttered to myself that I didn’t need anyone or anybody. I can make it with just God.
And then, as clearly as I am talking to you now, God said to me, “That’s right, Andy. You only need me. I love you just the way you are.” Those words changed my life. I knew I was loved in a way I never had before.
If you have never heard those words in a personal way – you can. Jesus said,
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 13:23
If you haven’t heard those words spoken to you it may because you haven’t listened. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who insists on doing all the talking? Hard to get a word in edgewise. God says “Be still – and KNOW I am God”.
If you haven’t heard those words spoken to you it may because you don’t have a loving relationship with the Father. It’s hard to feel love when you are living in rebellion. First, get into a love relationship with your Heavenly Father. Also, do you tell your Heavenly Father that you love Him? If you want to hear it - you have to say it! Don’t be afraid to express your love to the Father by the way you live, by the way you talk and also by saying it to Him directly. We do that sometimes in song – with songs like, “I Love You, Lord”. But do it in prayer time, as well.
Some more words we need to hear is, 2. “I’m here.” Last week Julie and I celebrated 42 years of marriage. For 42 years I have had a friend, my wife, by my side. What a blessing that is! To have someone stick with you through good times and bad; times of prosperity and times of poverty; times of health and times of sickness; times of youth and times of old age – what a blessing.
I was blessed with a Dad who was always there. I never had to worry if I was going to have something to eat or a place to sleep. Dad was there to provide. I never felt afraid or insecure about the future. I felt secure and protected.
It good to have a Father like that. Many people – maybe even MOST people don’t have a dad like that today. But you do. Your heavenly father will never leave you or forsake you. Oh, you – like the prodigal son – may leave Him – but He will never leave you. The Word says,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrew 13:5
There is a security the Child of God has that the world longs for. We are never alone. We don’t have to face our trials alone. We don’t have to carry our burdens alone. We don’t have to face the future alone. The last words Jesus spoke, according to Matthew’s Gospel was, “I am with you always to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). He will be with you, as well. He says, “I love you. I am here.”
The third thing we need to hear from our Father’s is, “Good job!”
Some people live all their lives trying to please their father – and fail. Some dad’s demanded perfection and there is no way any child could achieve it. Some dad’s have unrealistic expectations of their children – especially some Christian dads – and no earthbound child with fallen nature could live up to those standards. Consequently, many children live all their lives striving for approval, longing for acceptance, seeking excellence in a way that is impossible for them. It is so important for fathers to celebrate success in any small area. We need to encourage and project approval any time we can.
Jesus told the story of some disciples who received accolades for a job well done. They were entrusted with responsibility and did well. Listen.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21
Jesus also talked about a people who are surprised by approval. They were righteous people just going about their business, doing good from simply from the overflow of the goodness in their hearts. Listen.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:37-40
Jesus then rewards them with eternal life.
Is there a longing in your soul to hear those words, “Well Done! You are a good and faithful servant!” It is what every child longs to hear from his Father.
I don’t know if you were blessed with a good father or not. I do know your heavenly Father loves you. He will never desert you. One day may you hear those wonderful words, “Well done! Good job! You are good boy! You are a good girl! Come in! Come share in your Father’s joy!”
May it be so in your life.
SONG
