FATHERHOOD

Sermon Notes, June 17, 2012

Pastor Ralph Branch

            Pastor Ralph spoke Sunday on “Fatherhood.”  Fathers make mistakes; they are flawed.  We follow the example of our earthly fathers.  In Luke 2, we find that Mary and Joseph had traveled a day from Jerusalem before they realized Jesus wasn’t there.  When they found him—in the temple—he asked “Didn’t you know I must be about my Father’s business?”  Jesus identified God’s plan for his life as a 12-year old.  However, he also followed the example of his earthly father, learning to be a carpenter. 

In Luke 15:11-32, we find the story of the prodigal son.  The father gave his son his portion of the inheritance.  We receive gifts from the Heavenly Father, for His use.  In verse 15, the prodigal son was flawed: he thought the gifts were HIS and he could do things his own way.  He cut himself out of God’s blessing.  He squandered his gift.  Do we do the same thing, thinking our gifts from God are our own, and we can use them as we see fit?

In verse 16 and 17, the prodigal admitted he’d failed.  He realized his father’s servants were better off than he was, feeding pigs in some far-off country.  As with the prodigal, until we identify our condition, nothing will change.  Unlike the butterfly that morphs from a worm, we have a choice whether or not we morph.

The prodigal identified with his father; he knew him.  He apologized to his father and was willing to be a servant.  In order for us to receive God’s blessing, we have to know Him, to identify with Him. 

The father forgave his son, not only running to meet him, but throwing a party for him.  God forgives us, too, and the angels in heaven rejoice when one of us comes home.

The second son was upset, but the father told him, “You’re always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

            We need to identify our flaws, identify with the Father, and realize God watches over us.  He will move us from one condition to another—He will help us morph.