Dads, Prepare for a Blessing

Luke 15:17–24 NKJV

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.

His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words: •~

A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.

My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something.'

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.

The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the WorldTrade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.

Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves ..

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.

This may seem as a different scripture passage for Father’s Day. This is the story of the prodigal son. The son who was selfish and just wanted to live his own life. He wanted his inheritance and to get away from any parental influence. He thought life was perfect until the money ran out. Then, things were not so grand anymore. Then he turned to the one person who he could not wait to get away from. This message is not about the prodigal son or the older brother. This is about the father

Let me ask you a question. Men, do you have broken fences that need to be mended in your life? Are there estranged relationships? What about your relationship with your wife?

Colossians 3:19 NKJV

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

What about your children?

Colossians 3:21 NKJV

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

What about friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors? This is not about the prodigal son, but about the father? Prepare for better relationships. Prepare for reconciliations. Live and talk like those reconciliations will happen. It is not a question of if. but when.

2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

We must prepare for these changes. They do not just happen. We must prepare our heart and our mind.

video facing the giants preparing for rain

Does it seem like it does not make sense what God is doing in your life?

Prepare for rain even when there is no cloud in the sky.

The father in the parable specifically had a calf being fattened to celebrate when son came home. It did not just happen. It involved spending money on grain and hay. He needed to make sure the calf had plenty of water and was in good health.

Prepare for victory. Prepare for blessing. Be proactive. Look for God to reconcile those relationships as you prepare and work toward those goals. Whether it is a better relationship with your wife, children, co-workers, friends or neighbors. Seek the Lord on how to prepare for rain in your own situations. Plant the seed. It is never easy. Whether it is planting seed in dry and barren land with no cloud in the sky or fattening a calf for a child who wants nothing to do with you right now. Prepare for the blessing.

Conclusion:

We live in a world that devalues men. We are counter-cultural. We want our men to stand up and be the leaders God wants you to be. We love you and appreciate you. We also realize you carry a great burden. We want you to know how much you are appreciated.