Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction (Angela)

In our journey through the theme of relationships in marriage and family, we have looked at moms, kids, and those who are not married.

Next Sunday, we will conclude this series by looking at biblical marriage.

Today, my husband and I want to draw our focus on FATHER.

Fathers are important—critical to the health and vitality of children—which heavily impacts every aspect of community.

Dr. Edward Kruk, in an article written for Psychology Today, made these sobering statistical observations: (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/201205/father-absence-father-deficit-father-hunger)

Truancy and poor academic performance (71% of high school dropouts are fatherless).

Truancy and poor academic performance (71% of high school dropouts are fatherless).

Delinquency and youth crime, including violent crime (85% of youth in prison have an absent father—fatherless children are more likely to offend and go to jail as adults).

Drug and alcohol abuse (fatherless children are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and abuse drugs in childhood and as adults).

Homelessness (90% of runaway children have an absent father).

Exploitation and abuse (fatherless children are at greater risk of suffering physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, being five times more likely to have experienced physical abuse and emotional maltreatment, with a one hundred times higher risk of fatal abuse; a recent study reported that preschoolers not living with both of their biological parents are 40 times more likely to be sexually abused).

Dr. Kruk sums up his findings with these words: “Given the fact that these and other social problems correlate more strongly with fatherlessness than with any other factor, surpassing race, social class and poverty, father absence may well be the most critical social issue of our time.”

Talk with school teachers, community activists, and law enforcement — and they will confirm these facts.

Talk with school teachers, community activists, and law enforcement — and they will confirm these facts.

Having a good, stable father benefits us all.

However, a good father does not necessarily mean that we would be free from problems.

I know of children from strong, stable families, who made poor choices.

But, having dad that is there for you—that is strong and loving—this is a powerful thing.

Text

Did you know that Jesus taught about this?

Luke 15:11-

Luke 15:11-

Luke 15:11-

Luke 15:11-

Transition

This story that Jesus told is commonly referred to as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.”

With this title, it focuses the theme of the younger son who “wasted” or “squandered” his inheritance in “wild” or “loose” living.

Unfortunately this title, focusing on the younger son, causes us to miss the point that both Jesus and Luke are making.

The parable should be called “The Parable of the Gracious Father,” for he is the character who occurs in both halves of the story and is the main character of the parable.

So, on this Fathers’ Day, we want to draw your attention to THE Father who, through His abounding grace and compassionate mercy, is able to empower us in our relationships—our relationship with God and our relationships in marriage and family.

Jesus is confronting the wrong thinking of the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day.

They were appalled at how Jesus acted toward sinners— “This man received sinners and eats with them.”

()

Our Heavenly Father - One who Listens

So, through a series of three stories (called parables), Jesus revealed the passion and heart of God for people—even those people who live in sin.

Introduction to the story of the Prodigal Son: (Ed)

Our Heavenly Father - One who Answers

It must have been heart-wrenching for the Father to hear his youngest son’s request: “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me...” ()

hhh

This son’s intentions and actions would soon be clear: he “gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.”

()

They were appalled at how Jesus acted toward sinners— “This man received sinners and eats with them.”

()

The son takes advantage of the Father’s hard work.

He makes an unusual request of the Father—give me my share!

So, through

The son comes across as arrogant and disrespectful.

But the Father is not aloof, distant, or unapproachable.

He is connected to His sons.

He is there—for them—to listen—to hear them out.

Luke 15:

And that describes our Heavenly Father.

Even with a son who

The Psalmist says:

I see love here—our Heavenly Father loves us—even in our failures—even in our lack of integrity—even in our selfishness—God loves us—God loves people!

Our Heavenly Father Loves Us

No matter what I do, what I say, where I go—God loves me!

Now, I’m not preaching universalism here—I am not diminishing or changing the meaning of the Cross—and Christ’s substitutionary work for salvation—I’m not suggesting that because God loves us, we can do what we want—believe in what we want—and ignore the need to have faith and trust in God alone for salvation, and have no consequences for our actions.

But what I am saying is that God love us, values us, and has imprinted His image on us!

And, that love is displayed powerfully in this story.

After the son left—it didn’t mean that the Father stopped loving the son.

For when the son lost everything—and found himself working by feeding pigs—where he longed “to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate”—he came to his senses.

He realized that even the servants of his father had food to eat—he would go back home, confess his sinful ways, and be willing to serve.

Luke 15:20-

The Father ran and embraced the son.

Our Heavenly Father Seeks Us

When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they hid themselves—but God sought them out.

When King David committed the sins of adultery, lying, and murder—God sought him out.

When Peter denied Jesus three times—it was the resurrected Jesus who sought him out.

When we sin and hide from the presence of God—it is God who seeks us out.

Clearly, the Father had been waiting and looking for the son’s return.

The Father’s eagerness and joy at his son’s return is unmistakable.

This is the magnificent attribute of God that sets Him apart from all the false gods invented by men and demons.

He is not indifferent or hostile, but a Savior by nature, longing to see sinners repent and rejoicing when they do.

Let me pause here to remind us of a critical truth concerning what God does and what we need to do—and how this is beautifully illustrated in this story.

It is God who seeks after us—it is God who draws us to Himself—but we have a part to play in this drama called life.

We see the son coming to his senses—and starts for home.

He hoped that instead of judgement, he would experience grace and mercy.

Faith is the step we need to take—a step encouraged and empowered by the Holy Spirit—to draw us toward the loving arms of God.

For the son in our story, something quite unexpected happens!

Luke 15:21

His father forgives him.

Our Heavenly Father Forgives Us

Instead of receiving what he deserved (judgement), the son received forgiveness and restored relationship.

The son owned up to his sin: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you...”

What the son realized is what we need to recognize.

His sin was not only to his earthly father—the sin also was an offense to his Heavenly Father.

Confession is essential to restored relationship—it is more than a mere acknowledgement of a transgression—it is seeing sin as God sees it—it is deliberate rebelling against the holiness and authority of God.

Confession does not offer excuses—it submits to the full justice of God!

It is surrendering our will for His will.

Forgiveness—one of the most powerful acts of grace one could ever experience.

God’s grace is greater than all our sins.

Greater than every lie.

Greater than every act of hatred and bitterness.

Greater than every act of disobedience—every act of pride—every act of selfishness.

I am so amazed at God’s grace—instead of the judgment we deserve, we receive grace—forgiving grace.

But, it does not stop there!

Our Heavenly Father Blesses Us

As Jesus continues His story to describe the awesomeness of the Father, he goes in a direction not expected:

Instead of rebuke, the son receives “the best robe”—not just any robe, but an ornate garment signifying high honor

Instead of shame, the son receives “a ring”—which symbolized authority.

Luke 15:22