Father's Day 2008
Luke 15:11-32
For some reason, the Bible contains very few stories of interaction between fathers and their children. What few accounts there are, more often than not, describe poor parenting. Because of his faulty character, Lot’s wife was slain and his daughters corrupted. Isaac allowed one son to follow his mother’s poor example and made the other his favorite. Jacob favored two sons over the others and produced a pack of brother selling, unrepentant losers. Eli was a poor example to his sons who were both guilty of a multitude of sins and were ultimately slain. David set his sons a poor example so that one attempted to kill him and another took hundreds of wives and concubines. The best Old Testament account of a father and his children is that of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham was willing to do as God commanded and offer Isaac as sacrifice. At the last moment, God intervened and provided another offering.
For this occasion, I selected a text I have never used before. It is the story of a father and his two sons. One was foolish and headstrong, asking his father in advance for his portion of the inheritance. The other was selfish and uncaring. He refused to rejoice at the return of his brother and attempted to manipulate his father. Both these stories serve to prove a very important point – a father may love his children and do his very best for them and still see them go the wrong way in life. The good news is that both sons eventually repented and were restored to the father’s household.
Much is made of a mother’s love. As children, they tend our needs and offer us warm memories of safety and comfort. But what about dad? Many of us were raised to hide our feelings. We were taught that manliness requires toughness and that we should be careful to hide our affection. Speaking from personal experience, one should never doubt that a father’s love is as true and as deeply felt as a mother’s.
I. God’s Plan For Men
A. God intended men to head the family
1. Not as a tyrant or monster but as a loving husband and diligent father
2. Men must take and women must yield responsibility
B. Society has excused men of their responsibilities
1. The result is often a man less household – more and more children are born outside marriage
2. Our welfare system rewards single parent households
3. We see the results of this failed philosophy especially in the inner city
C. Husbands and fathers are to act as spiritual leaders in the home
1. Failure to lead is dereliction of duty
2. God commands that the husband and father offer the sacrifice, prepare the Passover, and teach the children
3. Abraham did not consult Sarah
4. Every child deserves a Christian home and it is the father’s responsibility to provide it
D. Men are to take the lead in Kingdom work
Much of what is wrong with our society can be traced to the failure of men to accept their proper place. Too often, the state is responsible for feeding, clothing, and raising our children. When they grow out of control, the state is forced to deal harshly with them. Women need to understand that it is in their best interests to promote the Biblical example of manhood. They lose nothing (and gain much) by allowing Godly men to take the lead.
