Praise Chapel Of Anaheim
“A Godly Father” (Leaves an imprint in their children’s lives)
Pastor Albert Garcia
A SPECIAL FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE
Sunday, June 21, 2009

TEXT: Luke 15:11-32

INTRODUCTION: The story of the prodigal son is a story told by Jesus.

ü It is one of the favorite stories Jesus told.

ü Much focus is placed on the prodigal son itself.

ü Today I want to place the emphasis on the “Father” in memory of Fathers day.

ü My message is entitled “A Godly Father”

ü I will take the word “F.A.T.H.E.R. as an acrostic to demonstrate the characterists of a Godly Father. (And how to leave an imprint on their lives)

A good father will leave his imprint on his children for the rest of their lives”
James C. Dobson (1936– )

I. FORGIVES.

a. In our story the prodigal spent his Father’s hard earned money on wild living. (v 13)

b. He spent his Father’s hard earned money on prostitutes. (V 30)

1. Key word (v 30) “But when this son of yours who has squandered your property”

2. NOTE: This did not legally passed on until the death of the Father.

c. Although this rebellious son spent His father’s wealth in wild living and prostitutes he had a forgiving attitude toward His son.

1. (V 20)

NOTE: Our children are going to fail. (A godly father must forgive no matter how much they hurt us.)

II. ALWAYS PROVIDES.

a. This Father was a provider.

1. He provided an inheritance for His children. (v 11-12)

2. He provided more than enough to His servants. (V 17)

3. Everything he earned was for the family. (He did not consider it his) (V 31)

1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

III. TEACHES.

a. A godly father teaches his children in the ways of the Lord.

1. He taught him about sin.

a. (V 18) “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned”

2. He taught him about God.

a. (V 18) “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven”

NOTE: The Jews paraphrased in order to avoid using the name of God, which they treated with upmost reverence.

3. He taught him about humility.

a. (V 19) “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’

4. He taught him repentance.

a. (V 18) “I will set out and go back to my father

NOTE: These teachings led him back home to his father’s house.

Proverbs 22:6 “ Train a child in the way he should go and when he is

old he will not turn from it.

The father’s most important responsibility is to communicate the real

meaning of Christianity to his children.

James C. Dobson (1936– )

IV. HAS A TENDER COMPASSIONATE HEART TOWARDS THE FAILURES OF HIS CHILDREN.

a. Nothing makes a father more angry than when a child fails.

b. A godly father looks beyond his personal feelings and considers what his child must be feeling after they fail.

1. Condemnation.

2. Guilt.

3. Discouragement.

c. This thought prompts a godly father to feel more compassionate than angry with a failing child.

1. (V 20) “So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

2. ILLUSTRATE

V. ENCOURAGES.

a. In our story the oldest son becomes very discouraged.

1. He is angry.

a. (V 25-28)

2. He was divided in his heart toward his brother.

a. (v 28) “The older brother became angry and refused to go in.

3. He is contemptuous toward his brother.

a. You hear his contempt in his words.

(V 29-30) “But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

b. In our story you see the father all he can to encourage him.

1. When he hears that the older son is angry he leaves the party and goes outside to encourage him.

a. (V 28)

2. He takes the time to speak to him in order to encourage him.

a. (V 31-32)

VI. RESTORES.

a. A godly father has a restorative heart.

1. His son did not feel worthy. (Felt as a slave)

a. (V 19)

2. He restores his son’s honor and dignity.

a. (V 22) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger”

b. NOTE: Giving a ring in ancient times was a sign of honor and dignity.

You see this when Pharaoh raises Joseph to a place of honor he puts a ring on his finger.

Genesis 41:42-43 “Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, ◙ and men shouted before him, “Make way ◙ !” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

3. He also puts shoes on his feet.

a. (V 22) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

NOTE: When slaves were purchased their shoes were taken away. (On the other hand when they were restored to liberty their shoes were retured!)

NOTE: What the father was doing was helping him feel as part of the family and not a slave.

IN CLOSING: God has called men to be godly fathers.

ü To forgive.

ü To always provide for their families.

ü To teach their children in the ways of the Lord.

ü To have a tender compassionate heart towards the failures of their children rather than be angry.

ü To encourage their children when they face discouragement.

ü To restore them.