The Presence Of My Father

TITLE: THE PRESENCE OF MY FATHER

TEXT : LUKE 15:11-24

intro: waivering child of a mother or father. prodigal,,,

PROP : GOD'S IS ALWAYS READY TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS CHILDREN.

Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

Luke 15:12 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.

Luke 15:13 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.

Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land;‑and he began to be in want.

Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he‑sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the‑swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my‑father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

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,

Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy‑hired servants.

Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great‑way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck,‑and kissed him.

Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and‑in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

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:

Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and‑be merry:

Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is‑found. And they began to be merry.

EXCLAM: THIS STORY IS A BEAUTIFUL PARABLE OF JESUS CORRELATING THE‑RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A LOVING FATHER AND SON TO THAT OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH‑THE HEAVENLY FATHER AS HIS CHILDREN.

INTER: WHAT DOES THIS TEXT SAY ABOUT FATHER?

I. A FATHER LOVES HIS CHILDREN

A. The Father loved His two children even though they were different!

1. No favoritism was mentioned.

2. His oldest son was very responsible, grave, and well disciplined.

However,‑he was not at all good humored to those around him.

He always did what his father asked.

3. His younger son was mercurial, spontaneous, irresponsible, impatient of restraint and somewhat arrogant.

B. God loves all of His children even though we are different!

1. He has no favorites.

Rom 2:11(NIV), “For God does not show favoritism.”

Rom 2:11(TLB), “ For God treats everyone the same.”

Rom 2:11(KJV), “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

C. He was a covering for His two children

1. The father provided a banner of love, protection, provision,

And nurture.

2. He enjoyed spending time w/ His children working and playing.

3. He did not want His younger child to leave HOME away from His covering of love. He realized that kids get into trouble when they are away from Mom and Dad!

D. Our Heavenly Father is a covering of love and protection for us!

1, He covers us with His presence so that we are mindful of His

love.

Ps 91:4-14(KJV)

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.