Satisfying The Father Hunger Within

Satisfying the Father Hunger Within

Intro: Today we are reminded of one of the greatest needs that can be found in our world and our community. “It is being recognized more and more. Its effects are being felt over several generations. It is repairable only by the men in our society. It is within the true domain of ’home improvement.’ It is known as ’Father Hunger.’ Father Hunger is painfully felt by several generations. Grown men, some of them fathers themselves, feel a longing and emptiness created by the absence of fathering” (Kate McGoey-Smith Home Fires). Father hunger comes about when a father fails to give their children the love, support, and leadership they need.

-There’s a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.” On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers. How many sons are out there wishing for their father’s love and acceptance?

-Although they long to, many people never come to terms with the Father Hunger within them. However, if they went through childhood never receiving the acceptance and approval of their father, their self-identity and sense of inner peace may suffer. Maybe they never heard their dad say 3 little life-changing words: “I love you.” As a result, some people search for the rest of their lives for a father’s love and acceptance. If only some people could have a chance to hear their dad say, “I am proud of you,” I believe it would have a profound influence on their life.

-Charles Adams was the United States ambassador to England under Abe Lincoln. He was in the habit of keeping a daily dairy. He also taught his 8-year old son Brooks, to do the same. One day, Mr. Adams took his son fishing. In his journal, the son wrote, “Went fishing with my father today, it was the most glorious day of my life.” For the next 40 years, he used that experience to tell people how beautiful life can be. His father’s diary showed the fishing trip, too. The father wrote, “Went fishing with my son. It was a wasted day.” Hopefully, most Dads would not feel that way about spending a day with their kids, but unfortunately, their actions do send that message sometimes.

-Now I am not suggesting that all of the problems we have are a direct result of bad fathering or the absence of a father. However, I hope you see how important it is for dads to step up and be the men God wants them to be. Maybe your children are all grown up, so you think your fathering is over. Let me suggest that your adult child needs your love and approval now as much as ever. It is not too late to tell them you love them or that you are proud to be their dad. If you’re having trouble with that concept, please read through Luke 15, and see the kind of love that must still be shown- even to wayward sons who have wasted their lives and shamed their families. It is not too late now, but it might be too late tomorrow. The road that leads home is paved with unconditional love and acceptance.

-The main thought I want to discuss today is this:

Prop: Our heavenly Father can and will satisfy the Father hunger within us.

Interrogative: What are some of the ways our Father helps us in our weaknesses?

TS: Let’s look at several actions Jesus attributed to His Father that show us how much He cares for each of us. These are taken from Matt. 5-7, which is part of what is called The Sermon on the Mount.

Our Heavenly Father Satisfies Our Father Hunger by…

I. Loving Us Unconditionally (5:44-48)

-Matthew 5:44-48 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Or another way to look at v.48 is “Be complete or mature in your love, just like your heavenly Father is.”]