Sunday, June 25, 2006
June 18, 2006--Father's Day
Note: Sermon taken from loose outline notes of pastor. Actual delivered sermon may have varied. No video available...sorry.
Text: Mark 5:22-24; 35-42
Today is the day we set aside to celebrate an honor fathers everywhere. Just a few weeks ago, we honored the mothers and the ladies. Today it is Dad's turn. A father's love is an amazing thing. Look at what Earl Woods's love did for Tiger. Look at the love shown by many parents, and how it got us through those tough times. The Scripture we have highlighted today shows us the depth of a father's love. Let's look at the story:
Now, think about this. One of the rulers of the people Jesus is going against, one of the rulers of the people, is lowering himself to consort with this carpenter, this rabblerouser. Think about that. Think about the risk. Jairus risked ridicule, he risked his job, he may have risked his life. However, he thought more for his child, and Jesus was touched by that love for the child.
Jesus healed the little girl. Even when ridicule was the ruile, and even whne Jairus was told not to bother the teacher, he had that father's love and concern that Jesus still help his daughter. Dads are like that. They don't listen to those who tell them to quit bothering. They don't give up on their children. They will do anything to provide for and nurture their children. So will our Heavenly Father as well. Look at how He has provided Creation, how He has provided Salvation. That is a lot of work.
Fathers also teach us. They teach us alot about sacrifice. They can also teach us about having Faith. Let's look way back in Genesis 22, to the story of Abraham and Isaac. Remember that story? Abraham waited so long for his son Isaac. He was a miracle baby. He was the apple of Abe's eye. Yet, one day God told Abraham to go and sacrifice his son. This had to tear Abe's heart out. However, he taught his son a valuable lesson, of having faith in God and following His commands. He took the little boy up there, and tied him down, and....as a reward for Abe's faith, God made a ram appear in the thicket, and Abe sacrificed it. Through sacrificing Father's teach us alot.
Fathers sacrifice a lot for us. They work, they toil, all to provide us with good things. Our earthly dads work hard so we can wear nice clothes, so we can have things better than they did. Our Heavenly Father works so hard that He created the universe FOR US in six days. All the miracles of nature, for US. Amazing. Truly a loving Dad.
As with Moms, Dads are the embodiment of John 15:13. They show that they have great love by giving their lives for us. They would much rather, I am sure, be doing something else sometimes instead of fixing our cars, helping us move, but there they are, and no thanks are necessary. Well, today we thank them, and we thank God for them. We thank God for all His heavy lifting for us, much of it we probably don't see or often appreciate, just like with our earthly dads.
Good fathers put it on the line for us. They are scared, but they don't let us show it. They don't run away. It takes more than biology to be a good dad. You are'nt a dad just because you helped plant the seed. You are a dad when you cultivate it and care for it. A good father provides, a good father cares and instructs. God bless those who follow in God's example--of providing for us, teaching us, and caring for us. God bless the fathers, today and everyday.
Text: Mark 5:22-24; 35-42
Today is the day we set aside to celebrate an honor fathers everywhere. Just a few weeks ago, we honored the mothers and the ladies. Today it is Dad's turn. A father's love is an amazing thing. Look at what Earl Woods's love did for Tiger. Look at the love shown by many parents, and how it got us through those tough times. The Scripture we have highlighted today shows us the depth of a father's love. Let's look at the story:
22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24So Jesus went with him.
Now, think about this. One of the rulers of the people Jesus is going against, one of the rulers of the people, is lowering himself to consort with this carpenter, this rabblerouser. Think about that. Think about the risk. Jairus risked ridicule, he risked his job, he may have risked his life. However, he thought more for his child, and Jesus was touched by that love for the child.
35While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
36Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
37He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." 40But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ). 42Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
Jesus healed the little girl. Even when ridicule was the ruile, and even whne Jairus was told not to bother the teacher, he had that father's love and concern that Jesus still help his daughter. Dads are like that. They don't listen to those who tell them to quit bothering. They don't give up on their children. They will do anything to provide for and nurture their children. So will our Heavenly Father as well. Look at how He has provided Creation, how He has provided Salvation. That is a lot of work.
Fathers also teach us. They teach us alot about sacrifice. They can also teach us about having Faith. Let's look way back in Genesis 22, to the story of Abraham and Isaac. Remember that story? Abraham waited so long for his son Isaac. He was a miracle baby. He was the apple of Abe's eye. Yet, one day God told Abraham to go and sacrifice his son. This had to tear Abe's heart out. However, he taught his son a valuable lesson, of having faith in God and following His commands. He took the little boy up there, and tied him down, and....as a reward for Abe's faith, God made a ram appear in the thicket, and Abe sacrificed it. Through sacrificing Father's teach us alot.
Fathers sacrifice a lot for us. They work, they toil, all to provide us with good things. Our earthly dads work hard so we can wear nice clothes, so we can have things better than they did. Our Heavenly Father works so hard that He created the universe FOR US in six days. All the miracles of nature, for US. Amazing. Truly a loving Dad.
As with Moms, Dads are the embodiment of John 15:13. They show that they have great love by giving their lives for us. They would much rather, I am sure, be doing something else sometimes instead of fixing our cars, helping us move, but there they are, and no thanks are necessary. Well, today we thank them, and we thank God for them. We thank God for all His heavy lifting for us, much of it we probably don't see or often appreciate, just like with our earthly dads.
Good fathers put it on the line for us. They are scared, but they don't let us show it. They don't run away. It takes more than biology to be a good dad. You are'nt a dad just because you helped plant the seed. You are a dad when you cultivate it and care for it. A good father provides, a good father cares and instructs. God bless those who follow in God's example--of providing for us, teaching us, and caring for us. God bless the fathers, today and everyday.
# posted by Mark : 12:21 PM
