Introduction: (Tell the history of "Fathers Day.") Being a father has never been easy. But it is now doubly difficult because we live in a secular culture heavily influenced by the feminist movement of the latter half of the twentieth century. We are told that there should be no differences between men and women. Many women are choosing to be mothers without getting married, and without having a man in the home. And this is accepted as moral and OK by our society. Men are being marginalized in the home, in the workplace, and in the church. Yet even as our culture strays from the God-given norms about men and women, mothers and fathers, secular sociologists are discovering that both boys and girls usually turn out happier and better with an active loving father in the house. (Read excerpts from Wade F. Horn's article, "The Importance of Being Father." In Jesus' parable of the "Prodigal Son," which could also have been called the parable of the "Loving Father," Jesus teaches us about the Heavenly Father's love toward His children, and by application what it means for us to be good fathers. What can we learn from this parable?
I. A good father knows when to control and when to let go.
A. God is sovereign, but He also allows us to make decisions for ourselves. Even bad decisions.
B. Sometimes He prevents us from sinning. Other times, He allows us to learn from our mistakes.
C. As our children grow older, we must let go more and more. We must allow them freedom to make mistakes; freedom to get hurt; freedom to make intellectual and moral choices. We must discern the differences between the crucial, the important, and the less important areas of our children's lives.
II. A good father teaches by example.
A. The father in the parable was successful, prosperous in business. He was fair and generous to his employees. He was a good and godly man. His son saw, and remembered.
B. Our Heavenly father is Holy and Just. He is not like the gods of the nations. We are not only awed by what He has done, but we worship Him because of what He IS.
C. What we ARE and what we DO are just as important than what we SAY. Beware of hypocrisy with your children!
III. A good father teaches his children to understand spiritual truth.
A. The prodigal son was able, when he came to his senses, to distinguish right from wrong, and to make correct moral judgments. He knew he had sinned against his father and agains Heaven. He knew that he needed to repent and confess. He realized that he had to go back, and ask to be forgiven.
B. Are we teaching our children the 10 commandments? Do they know right from wrong? Are they able to understand and make good decisions about questions of morality and ethics? This is a special challenge in the light of the accepted immorality in our nation today.
C. Our parental vow at infant baptism urges us to "bring them up in the nurture and admonishion of the Lord."
IV. A good father has an attitude of compassion (Psalm 103:13).
A. The father in the parable had not forgotten or disowned his son. He said no hateful words. He had no animosity, no festering resentment, no hard bitter heart. He was looking for his return. When he saw him coming, he rushed to meet him half-way. He received him back with joy.
B. Our Heavenly Father receives all who repent and seek forgiveness. He doesn't make us do penance, or earn our way back into his love. He forgives immediately as we repent and turn to Him.
C. Have we learned to forgive our children? Are we willing and eager to forgive all who have sinned against us, when they come and ask forgiveness? Do you have God's heart?
V. A good father elevates and blesses his children.
A. The father in the story went all out to make his son feel appreciated and honored. He made a party for him. He put a ring on his finger and fancy clothes on his back.
B. Our heavenly Father not only barely receives us for salvation, but He also showers blessings on us now, and will continue to do so for eternity.
C. We ought to be generous and kind to our children, and make them feel blessed and honored and lifted up, not just taken for granted.
VI. A good father teaches His children to love each other.
A. The elder son in the parable was angry at his brother, and was not happy that he repented and returned. His father taught him, and admonished him to change his way of thinking.
B. Our Heavenly Father teaches us to love one another. To forgive one another. To live for one another, and not for ourselves.
C. The good father teaches his children to love and be kind and forgiving to each other.
Conclusion: According to his father, the prodigal son was dead, and now he was alive! Spiritually, without Christ, people are dead in their trespasses and sins. Every needs the Lord. People need to turn away from the pig pens of sin and self, and to return to the Heavenly Father. If there is anyone here today who needs to return to God, may God grant you repentance and saving Faith. Return to Him, and He will gladly receive you. Amen.