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Teacher: Jonny, if you have two pounds, and you ask your father for four pounds. how much will you have? Jonny: Two pounds.
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Teacher: You don't know your maths. Jonny: You don't know my father.
A short times ago my grandson was out at the local shop with his friend when his friend was grabbed by the throat and nearly strangled leaving awful bruising on his neck.
When our daughter told us I said His friends father should speak to the other boys father. It turned out that neither had a father that could deal with it.
Many young people have an unusual understanding of a father. They are not sure what a father is or even where their father is. Even if they have a father their concept of a father is not what it ought to be because of the example they know.
I am going to be introducing the subject of relationships especially that of a father.
Many young people have not a relationship with their father.
Here in Luke 10 we get a wonderful picture of the heavenly Father.
A PROVIDING FATHER
a. He provided life
“A certain man had two sons”
“created man”
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“he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” Acts 17:25
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b. He provided livelihood
“father give me”
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father”. James 1:17
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“the living God, ......... giveth us richly all things to enjoy”; 1 Timothy 6:17
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The son took all that his dad gave and then went his own way, thinking no more
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dad, no more laws, I can live my own life my own way.
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He soon found out that his own way was not the best way and finish up feeding
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pigs and eating pig food.
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As a last resort he thought, my father provides for all his servants I will go back to my father and ask to be his servant
A PERMANENT FATHER
a. He was remembered for his provision.
“bread enough and to spare”
“the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” 1 Tim.6:17
My father always had plenty I will always have somewhere to stay and something to eat
b. He was remembered for his permanency
“I will arise and go to my father”
I don’t know what reception I’ll get. I have treated him so badly
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD” Hosea 6:1
A PREPARED FATHER.
a. He was prepared to forgive
“saw him ... ran .. fell his neck and kissed him”
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7
b. He was prepared to restore
“Bring.. best robe.... ring, shoes,.. fatted calf.....eat.. be merry”
“Son.. lost.. found.. dead.. alive. again”
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But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
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even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
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