a Good Good Father

A Good Good Father

Last week we went to the Christ Tomlin Concert and the first song was good good father. I could feel a shift in the crowd as we begin to raise hands and sing. Something just resonates with many people about the Fatherhood of God. But for some its hard to conceive as God as a father especially if they had a negative experience growing up. so Jesus tells a parable, a story to illustrate what God as a father looks like. many of you are familiar with this passage but if this is the first time hearing it I hope you will be encouraged today

Luke 15:11–24 (NLT)
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.  13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.

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22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

1. Our Heavenly Father has the best plan for our lives. a plan that requires patience.
   • The son didn’t want to wait for his inheritance.-
   • often when we are young we want everything to happen now. and we live in a world that is willing to give it to us. or at least that’s what they tell us.
   • but there is a price to be paid for having what you want instantly. There is a price to be paid for not being patient and doing things God’s way.
     • in my early 20’s i was writing music and evangelizing and felt some call to ministry on my life but i did not guard my heart and I bought into the deception that I could occasionally engage in sin and still claim to follow Christ. but it just took me down a path that was far from where God wanted me to be.
2. Our Heavenly Father is gracious enough to let us find out where following our own path leads.
   • The son had to experience pain and loss to come to his senses.
   • Notice the son moved to a distant land to be far from his father.
   • When we are living not in a way that God wants for us we move far from him, far from the church, far from anyone who might try to offer wisdom or correction.
   • and what are the results?
     • I can identify with this story. i had to travel 2500 miles from home to be in a place where God would open my eyes.
     • while you may not have to travel far from home God may allow you to travel far from where you used to be for your eyes to finally be open to the truth.
3. Our Heavenly Father loves us and rejoices when we turn back to him

• When the son was rehearsing what he would say, imagining his fathers disappointment. he was surprised as his father ran to him and embraced him.
• When we have decided to return to the path to Come back to God we already have repentance in our hearts. and he sees what’s in our heart. there is no need to rehearse a prayer.
• God is the good good father waiting to embrace us and to love us right where were are at.
  • and for those of you who are parents and praying for a prodigal son or daughter.
  • keep praying don’t give up. my mother prayed tirelessly for me and I returned to the path.
  • The only thing i felt when i returned to my heavenly father was his forgiveness
  • The greatest place you can be today is in the presence and the peace of your heavenly father.