Every Saturday, Pastor Mike and Sherry write our congregation a letter of encouragement as well an introduction for the sermon topic he will preach the following morning. Below you will find the letter from Father's Day, June 16th, 2024. To watch this sermon, follow this link: Christ and the Faithful Father , a sermon on the the lessons we can learn from Jairus. Luke 8:40-56
Week of June 16, 2024
When working on the message for this Father’s Day I came across a verse I’m sure I’ve read more than once but simply read past it. But this time it caught my attention.
“So I responded to you, “Do not be terrified of them! The Lord your God is about to go ahead of you; he will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt and in the wilderness, where you saw him carrying you along like a man carries his son. This he did everywhere you went until you came to this very place.”” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31)
“Like a man carries his son!” Those words jumped out of the page and caught me by surprise. It drew me back to when my children were small. They loved to ride on my shoulders wherever we went. It was a delightful sound as each would demand their turn on dad’s shoulder. “Me, next; me next!” Now, that was a sound that could melt a heart - and did.
Fathers are the biggest source of strength for a child. The innocent eyes of a child perceive their father as the all-powerful, most knowledgeable, truly affectionate and most important person in the family. For daughters, their father is the first man with whom they fall in love. For sons, fathers are the strongest person they know and someone they aspire to emulate. Even for grownups fathers are someone they look up to for the most experienced and honest advice, knowing it will always be in their best interest.
In all honesty, it doesn’t take much courage to bring a child into this world BUT it does take a great deal of courage and determination to be a true and real dad or mom. So, what do I mean men?
Being a dad takes more than just phoning it in, it takes real love not temporal love. It takes eternal love, one that will surpass all things that try to come between the father and his children. No matter what, a true father loves his children, provides for them because he is driven to care, even compelled by this love. A true father will teach his children right from wrong, praying it will stick with them. If it does stick, great! But if somewhere, later down the road of life, if it doesn't? Well, a real father steps up to the challenge, opens his arms, hugs his child, and begins the journey of repair. Taking each step carefully guided by his love for the child, he is encouraging and uplifting- (“like a man carries his son”) - not tearing down a child with harsh accusations or words of anger.
The Lord carried the Israelites out of slavery, fought off their enemies, provided for them through their wandering in the desert, and brought them into the promised land.
When a child isn’t strong enough to do something on their own, we dad’s have the honor of stepping up to carry them through it. Dad’s advocate for their children. They provide wisdom and guidance in the face of uncertainty. And with the protection of a loving father, a child doesn’t have to be afraid.
Dad’s endure, they don’t quit when things get tough. Dad’s come alongside their children and give them something to believe in, something to hold onto when their worlds are shaken by adversity. We strive to teach them lessons that are eternal and will carry them through all life throws at them. We work to share lessons like: (1) faith is stronger than fear, (2) God is the Father of all there is and ever will be, (3) the love of God is the same love their dad has for them, (4) no matter what God will love them and never leave them or forsake them. Then, real dad’s make every effort to live the life of example, for this is the test of a real father - to show his children how to live, love and create a home of safety and security for all who are born into it or are brought in to reside there.
Take some time today to thank your dad and show him honor as Christ commands. Even if your relationship with dad is a bit shaky remember, you are here because he is your father. If your father is gone, take time to remember and give a silent “thank you” to dad and to your heavenly Father who gave him to you. Take time to reach out to those “dad’s” who spent time with you even if they weren’t your bio-dad. Honoring dad and mom honors God who gave them to you.
It’s time to close this out and get this sent out. I hope to see many of you tomorrow as we worship together. God has been so gracious to us and we owe Him all praise and thanksgiving. He desires to meet with us and to show Himself to us in the most significant way. So, come with expectant hearts and rejoice in His presence. Come to Bible Study at 9:45 and worship at 11. If you can’t make it I pray you tune into the service on line. Please continue to pray for one another and seek out how you might be used by God to “encourage one another to love and good deeds.” Pray continually, give generously, love extravagantly, and trust God beyond all measure.
All our love and service,
Mike and Sherry
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