Super Dad: Being A Good Father Series

Series: Playing A New Game [#6]

SUPER DAD: BEING A GOOD FATHER

Luke 15:11-32

Introduction:

Yesterday was a day full of mixed emotions. I preached Dan’s Memorial Service, which was difficult; and then later Karen and I went to David and D’Linda’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. There was a common theme at both services- Love for the honorees. At both events, the dads were honored for their faithfulness to their family and to God. I believe, when most men have children that they plan on being the best dad ever; but you discover quickly that it is not an easy thing to do.

“The Father’s Day Top 10 List of Things They Have Wanted To Say”

• Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

• Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, we are never going to think of it that way.

• Sunday = sports. It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

• “Yes” and “No” are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

• Check your oil! Please, check your oil!

• Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all past comments become null and void after 7 days.

• If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

• If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

• ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

• Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we!

Although none of us are perfect, on this Father’s Day, I want to look at the example of a perfect father by looking at our Heavenly Father.

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

“Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. "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. "The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. `Your brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' "`My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"