preached @ Metro 4th September 2006

Happy Father's Day to all our Dads!! A fatber does many things, but if we could only use one phrase, what could it be?

A father gives!

The sure evidence of love is the act of giving. That is one reason we give presents on Father's Day. John 3:16 tells us that our heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave a gift - His one and only Son, Jesus.

The sign of giving is not just found in the objects that a Father gives, but in the giving of Himself.

The story of the prodigal son could be renamed the parable of the loving Father! 

The father in this story gave many things and they are symbols of what our heavenly Father has given us.

The father gave gifts -

a robe, ring, shoes and a feast in celebration. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above.

The father gave acceptance

Notice what the father didn't say to his son:

I told you so:-

So, you finally came home

You should have known better

Why didn't you listen to me

The father ran towards him, and didn't evcn wait for an apology. The son eventually started his speech of repenatance, but the father wouldn't let him finish it.

The father gave love

The father ran towards him and emraced him, and kissed him. The bible tells us that God has loved each of us with an everlasting love.

The father gave forgiveness

He didn't hold his actions against him, or make him repay because of his bad choices. So too our heavenly Father forgives us.

The father gave restoration 

The son was restored to the place of sonship.

The father gave respect

The son thought he would be doing well if his father treated him like one of his servants. But the father terated him as his son.  

Our  heavenly Father wants us to know Him as a father, may each of us always remember what His gift of love really means for us all.