Father's Day

CHILDREN’S SERMON

The 3 Bs

OBJECTS: Bread, Ball, Bible

The first B is bread. When we said the lord’s prayer, we asked God to provide us with our daily bread.

God has always provided for me. He gave me a very loving Daddy who made sure that my mom and I were taken care of.

Just like my dad was able to give me food and provide me bread, our Heavenly father does the exact same for us. He provides for us daily.

2. The second B is a ball. My dad and I used to play softball a lot. It’s my favorite sport. Our Dad’s take the time to play with us, right? It’s always so much fun when we can play sports with our dads.

Well our heavenly father wants us to know he has time for us too! Just like our earthly dad’s love us, he also loves us!

3. The last B...is a Bible. We should all be happy that we have Dad’s that are teaching us about God’s love and his word through our Bible. Our dad’s do a lot of important things for us, but this is probably the most important: teaching us about Jesus and God’s love for us!

I hope that you all know just how much your dad’s love you. They love you enough to provide you with food, they take the time to play with you, and they teach you about God’s love for you! So be sure to tell God Thank you for your Dad’s today!

A Father's Heart: Reflecting God's Love

Theme: Fatherhood is more than provision - it’s about embodying the character of our heavenly father.

Today on Father’s Day, we celebrate the men who have poured into our lives. Not just with material gifts, but with love, leadership, sacrifice, and strength.

At the heart of all these things, is a reflection of God’s love and his generous heart.

Jesus and writers of the Bible often use the role of a father to reveal deep spiritual truths.

Today, we look in the books of Matthew, Ephesians, Hebrews, and Luke. Each one representing a reflection of a father’s heart.

I’ve broken it down into 4 different ways God’s word calls not only father’s but parents to be a reflection of His love and a few challenges to practice in our journey through fatherhood and parenthood.

1. Generous Gifts: God's Heart

Matthew 7:9-11

9 ' “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! '

This passage reminds us that the heart of a good father is generous, responsive, and loving.

Just as God delights in giving to his children, earthly father’s reflect His character when they offer their time, wisdom, or love to their children.

Jesus paints a powerful picture of God’s character by appealing to something that is universally understood by most: the love of a parent.

Even flawed as human beings, earthly father’s have an instinct to provide for their children and care for them.

Their gut response isn’t something that reflects cruelty or neglect, but it’s a response of kindness, provision, and protection.

Now some may be thinking, this wasn’t how my father was or is, or perhaps you did not have a great relationship with your father.

This is about a reflection on what our relationship looks like with our heavenly father.

It is about knowing and understanding that when we turn to God with ANYTHING that we have going on, literally anything, we will be met with the trust and assurance that when we come to God, we are coming to a father that knows us inside and out, we are coming to a father that loves us more than we could ever imagine, and gives not out of duty but out of delight.

A generous father is one who gives beyond what is expected. It’s not just about giving bread or fish, it’s about providing that invaluable gift of time, patience, guidance, and love.

This passage challenges fathers to reflect on how to give to your children. A godly father, meaning if you are a father and you aim to walk in a relationship with Christ, you are mirroring your father in heaven. Our father in heaven. We said it this morning with the Lord’s prayer...our FATHER who is in heaven...

Giving gifts is great, my 5 year old is just tickled pink when I give her a new animal for her zoo she has going on, but I see the biggest delight on her face when I give her that gift of time, when I give the gift of myself.

I think back to the time spent with my dad. I don’t recall any of the material possessions I was given but I do know I was all about softball.

***CHECK FOR PICTURE SLIDE***

I started playing softball and played up until I graduated high school, even a little bit after. But I remember saying “Dad, I want to learn how to be a pitcher”.

My dad loves sports, he played basketball and baseball growing up so when I took an interest in softball, he was happy.

Soon after I told my dad I wanted to learn how to pitch, he and my mom started signing me up for every softball camp there was and I even went to a pitching coach, but what I remember the most about playing sports...is the time my dad spent with me.

On afternoons when we didnt have much going on, we would go to the park a few miles from our house and my dad would practice with me.

He was the recreation director for our little town in Minden, Louisiana and somehow acquired a gallon bucket of softballs. So every time we went to the park, that bucket of softballs came with us.

He would unload the bucket and put all the balls by the pitchers mound then he would take the bucket and sit on it at home plate and for what seemed like hours, I would just practice pitching.

I’m sure there were afternoons where my dad was tired from work and didn’t want to catch ball after ball (I did throw some strikes on occasion) but I’m sure he would have much rather been relaxing indoors where it wasn’t hot.

But he took the time to catch for me, and he took that time to spend with me and I will always cherish that time!

I could share many more stories about my dad but then I might actually preach for a full 30 minutes....

Of course, the greatest gift a father can give his child is to lead them to a closer relationship with God. The one who gives all things good!

Here is your first challenge: Be generous with more than things - be generous with your presence, your encouragement, and your love.

2. Gentle Guidance: Loving Discipline

Ephesians 6:4

'Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. '

This passage highlights the importance of patience and understanding when it comes to discipline.

Discipline in any form can be extremely frustrating not only for the child, but for the parent carrying out the discipline.

I can think back to when I’ve had a hard day at work or I am trying to handle too many things at once and my daughter has made a mistake like spill her food on the floor. I can think back to times where I responded in harshness. In the moment it was just my initial reaction. I later realized the mindset I was in and I went back to apologize to her, but me apologizing doesn’t take away that I was harsh to her.

The word that stood out to me was exasperate...it says fathers, do not exasperate your children. Meaning, do not irritate them or frustrate them. How many times have we wanted to match energy with energy. You made me mad so I’m going to make you mad!

Paul is telling us not to do that.

He is calling for patience. Something that can be hard to practice when you are in the thick of it in parenthood.

He wants father’s to practice wisdom, truth, and grace. He wants parenthood to be rooted in love.

A generous father gives guidance without provoking. He disciplines with grace and teaches with love.

Fathers are invited to consider how discipline can be conducted in love, just as God disciplines us for our benefit, aiming to cultivate righteousness and peace in our families.

Every person in here can think about the legacy they will leave when they leave this earth and go on to Heaven.

The legacy of a father or parent is not in what the are able to provide or leave their children with, but on WHO they are able to help their children become. (REPEAT)

For me, as a mother, that really hits home. I can try to do all the right things, and say all of the right things but what was it for if I can’t teach my daughter to walk with Christ and model her heart after His.

How can I show her what walking with Christ looks like?

Is it bringing her to church? I do that every Sunday… Is it praying with her before bed? We do that every night.… Is it reading our devotional? We need to get better at that.....

I can show her as a parent by taking some time to reflect on my actions.

How am I responding to her when my temper is short? How am I responding to her when she takes 5 minutes for each shoe she puts on? Am I annoyed? Impatient?

I may not be preaching to anyone else in here but myself but food for thought. Fathers and parents...you do not have to be perfect. None of us will ever be perfect. But how are we showing God’s love through discipline and the training of a child?

A father’s instruction is one of the most generous investments he can make in his children.

Here is your second challenge: Lead with calmness, consistency, and care. Godly guidance leaves a legacy.

3. Growth Through Discipline

Hebrews 12:9-11

9 'Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. '

Diving a bit deeper into discipline....

This passage reminds us that one of the most generous gifts a loving father or parent can give is not just discipline that shapes behavior but discipline that shapes the heart.

Discipline can be extremely uncomfortable in the moment. Nobody likes to see their child upset and crying.

But..if we as parents strive to practice love and wisdom in those difficult moments, it can be a very powerful tool for growth and maturity in our children.

Discipline may not feel like a gift in the moment - but over time, it produces a harvest of peace IF we keep our walk with Christ.

Having been a child once myself, I know getting discipled was never fun. There were times in school where maybe I wouldn’t focus as much and came home with a bad grade or two. My parent’s discipled me and at the time I remember thinking “well they are just being mean”....not realizing now that my talking in class or not paying attention was giving me those bad grades and they wanted me to excel in school.

Loving discipline is a form of generosity - it is a father’s way of investing in his children’s future. It reflects our heavenly father who doesn’t discipline out of anger, but out of deep care and purpose.

A faithful father doesn’t just prepare the path for his child—he prepares the child for the path. (repeat)

Discipline isn’t punishment - it’s preparation. The goal is growth, not guilt.

Now, let’s apply that same concept to the work place....maybe some of us are in supervisory positions and our coworkers need a little guidance. Giving that discipline is never fun as a supervisor but is needed for the mission to continue and be successful.

If we find ourselves on the other end of a punishment, we can look at it through the eyes of we are being prepared. Maybe we didn’t get it right this time, but we are preparing to get it right. We are growing from our experience and God is with us every step of the way.

Here is your third challenge: Correct with grace. Discipline to build up, not tear down.

4. Graceful Embrace: Forgiving Love

Luke 15:20-24

20 '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.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “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.

23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.'

In this moment, Jesus reveals the heart of a father who never stops watching, never stops waiting, and never stops loving.

This story tells us that the prodigal son wasted everything.

He was a disgrace to his family and returned to them in shame.

But pay close attention to how the father met his son: he met him with a graceful embrace. He calls for the best robe, bring the fattened calf and let’s celebrate his return.

This father is restoring the relationship. He doesn’t respond in anger, he isn’t reprimanding him. He celebrates the return of his son. He forgives him quickly and completely in this moment.

Fathers are inspired to model this unconditional love and acceptance, continually pointing their children back to God, no matter the circumstances.

This is the kind of love that changes everything.

A love that says “you are still my child, you are still welcome here”

It is because of the father’s grace and love, that the son is given a new beginning.

Forgiveness is not easy, it can require a lot of prayer and thought but it is one of the best gifts a father can give to his child.

This is the kind of love that doesn’t ignore sin, it overcomes it with compassion.

It reflects the grace of our heavenly father who rejoices not in perfection, but in return.

There is no greater reflection of God’s heart than a father who forgives.

The prodigal son did not receive condemnation - he received compassion.

Our heavenly father calls us as Christians to practice this compassion daily. Will we always get it right? No, but we try and we are obedient to that calling from Christ. We give compassion when we may think the situation may not warrant it. We give compassion because we want others to feel the same love of Christ.

We forgive, because Christ forgives us DAILY.

Here is your final challenge: Let your children know the door is never closed. Forgiveness is a gift that restores identity and relationship.

Conclusion

On this father’s fay, we honor the dad’s who just didn’t stand firm - but who run toward the broken, the ones who offer grace over a grudge, and who celebrate restoration over resentment.

That is the heart of our father in heaven and that is the legacy that transforms our future generations.

The generous heart of a father reflects the generous heart of God:

He provides out of love

He guides with patience

He disciplines with purpose

He forgives with grace.

Today, we thank God for father’s who live out this calling. We thank God for every man who is shaping lives - whether it is as a biological father, a step father, or a mentor...your gift matters.

Big Idea: Godly fatherhood is a call to reflect the heart of the Father in our homes, showing love, discipline, and guidance to our children as we model Christ.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Heavenly father, thank you for revealing your heart through the gift of fatherhood.

Strengthen and guide every father here today. May they be generous with their time, steadfast in their teaching, humble in their correction, and overflowing in grace.

Let their lives point their children to you - the ultimate father, full of mercy and love.

I pray each father here knows how much they are loved and appreciated for all they do.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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SERVICE DISMISSAL:

I pray we can all take these challenges as we continue throughout our week. Not only as parents, but as friends, coworkers, and followers of Christ.

Now I leave you with the blessing from Christ:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance on you. Go in peace to love and serve our Lord.

AMEN