The Prodigal's Father Series

One time a little boy was asked to define Father’s Day and he said, “Its just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the present.”

Erma Bombeck in her usual humorous way wrote the following about fathers, “When I was a kid a father was like a light in the refrigerator. Everybody’s house had one but no one really knew what either did when the door was shut.”

The father says, "You better get ready the bus will be here in a minute to pick you up to take you to Sunday School." The Boy asked,"Did you go to Sunday School when you were a boy?" The father replied, "Yes I did." The boy said as he was getting dressed, "It probably won’t do me any good either!"

THE PRODIGAL’S FATHER

I. HE HAD TWO SONS

Notice: They both grew up in the same environment, yet they were very different.

A. The Elder Son

1. Content to continue under the authority of his father.

2. Probably dependable and hardworking.

3. Was willing to wait on the father’s time for his inheritance.

B. The Younger Son

1. Resented authority considering himself to be his own man.

a. He was conceited in his knowledge, having never truly learned.

b. He wanted his freedom---to sin.

2. Probably undependable, shifty and rambling.

3. Wanted all that was due him in one lump sum.

C. God is the Father of us all

1. Some are content to follow Him patiently.

2. Some must learn the hard way that their position under God is the best.

II. FATHER GIVE ME

A. The Elder son was content to receive his blessing daily. Give us this day our daily bread.

B. The Younger Son wanted instant and complete gratification. Give me the portion.

C. God has an inheritance for us all based on our life toward him.

1. Repentance will result in the blessings in this life and Heaven in the next.

2. Rebellion will result in a pig’s life here and then torment with the Devil and

his angels.

III. THE FATHER’S LOVE

A. He loved his children equally.

1. He loved his older son who had chosen to stay with him.

2. He loved his younger son who had chosen to leave.

Regardless of whether our children choose right or wrong they still need to know dad

loves them.

B. He treated them equally. Did not show favoritism between the two sons.

Although the elder son did not make the request, the father gave him his portion as well.

He divided unto them his living.

C. God loved us while we were yet in our sins.

IV. THE FATHER’S RESPONSE WHEN HIS SON LEFT

A. Recognized his son’s right to choose his own path.

1. Tough love allows children to fail when necessary.

2. The hardest thing to do is let our children make their own decisions.

B. If we choose the wrong path we must pay the price.

There is hope that will bring us to our senses.

C. God allows us to choose our own path.

V. THE FATHER’S ATTITUDE WHEN HIS SON RETURNED

A. Dad’s attitude was not

1. You brought it on yourself son - tough

2. Don’t come crying back to me

B. He had compassion on his son

C. He was thankful his son had come home

D. Honored his return with a celebration

E. He restored him back to the family as a son rather than a servant

F. Our Heavenly Father loves us even when we do wrong and when we repent His arms

are open to restore us without grudge or hesitation.

The story is told of a father of 5 who came home with a toy, he summoned his children and asked which

one should be given the present. “Who is the most obedient, never talks back to mom and does every thing he or she is told to do?” There was silence, and then a chorus of voices: “You play with it Daddy!”

Fathers are interesting creatures. Here are the TOP 10 THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR DAD SAY 10. Well, how ’bout that? I’m lost! Looks like we’ll have to stop and ask for directions. 9. You know Pumpkin, now that you’re thirteen, you’ll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won’t that be fun? 8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain hostile attitude. I like that. 7. Here’s a credit card and the keys to my new car. GO CRAZY!! 6. What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating’s not good enough for you, son? 5. Your mother and I are going away for the weekend. You might want to consider throwing a party. 4. Well, I don’t know what’s wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies--ya know--that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks. 3. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring. Now quit your belly-aching, and let’s go to the mall. 2. Whaddya wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend. 1. What do I want for my birthday? Aahh, don’t worry about that. It’s no big deal. (Okay, they might say it. But they don’t mean it)