Father’s Day

Pastor John Talcott
Christ's Community Church

(6/1/2018) I love this time of year. I love the warmer weather, everything’s growing, the colors are brilliant, and yet even greater than all those things are the memories of my father, because a large part of those memories treasured in my heart were formed outside in the garden, cutting grass, gathering firewood, or working on the farm with my dad. It’s the outdoors and the smells and sights of spring that provoke in me memories of years gone by; much like each of us find that the word "Father" prompts a variety of memories and emotions.

For some, when you think about your father, you’ve got great memories, and if that’s the case be thankful, because I’ll be the first to admit, I love being a dad, but as a father of six children it’s not always easy being a dad. You know, we all make our share of mistakes and the reality is that we don’t all have good memories of our father. For some, the words, "I love you" were never heard; maybe you longed for his acceptance and affirmation, but all you ever knew was a father who was absent, self-centered, and never satisfied.

If that’s been your experience, these words from God that I’m about to share may enlighten you, enable you to begin healing, as well as bringing you great comfort. Once Jesus disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, Jesus replied, "This then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven…" (Matthew 6:9). Now, of course he said much more, but the point is that God is a Father. And so, what he was telling his disciples was that the key to prayer is understanding that God is a Father and we’re his kids.

As a matter fact, the prophet Isaiah said over 700 years earlier, "Lord, you are our Father. We’re the clay, you’re the potter; and we’re all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:8). And so, if we understand that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us, who hears us, and cares about us, we’ll spend time talking to him in prayer. Jesus wants us to know that God is a Father because that is foundational to having a proper understanding of prayer as well as of a father’s love.

Now obviously, each one of us have our own stories and the backdrop of our own personal experience either complements or taints our understanding of our Father in Heaven. And so, for a moment, let’s not look at God through the lens of our earthly father, you know, maybe one who was seldom there or who was always angry, but let’s look at him through the lens of Scripture; because when we do we’re going to see the image of a Father, maybe one that you’ve never seen before.

You see, the Bible tells us, speaking of our Heavenly Father, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalms 103:8). Now, this revelation of our Father is so amazing, because many of us have worked so hard to try to earn the approval of our father; and maybe you’ve even taken this same approach in your relationship with God. You might go to church religiously, even serving, praying, and reading your Bible, but not because you’re overwhelmed by the grace of God, not because you love him so much, but because deep down inside you feel as if God doesn’t really accept you and love you for who you are. However, on the contrary, the Bible reveals that there is nothing, not a single thing we can do to earn God’s love.

The Bible reveals that our Father is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love" meanwhile, maybe you’ve been working and striving, diligently trying to earn God’s love. It’s for that reason that these words of Jesus are so liberating, he says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29). You see, in our lives, many of us are weighted down, weary and burdened from the past; with the shattered dreams, the pain and disappointments of our fathers leaving us bruised, broken, and crippled.

Many of us go through life with this burden weighing heavily upon our hearts, yet no matter whether it’s the weight of guilt, regret, abuse, divorce, or unforgiveness, Jesus said, "Come to me." Now, clearly his offer wasn’t based upon our goodness, our effort, or even the depth of our theological understanding. And so, we need to recognize that our worth is not in who we are or what we do, but that our Heavenly Father finds worth in whose you are. Because you’ve trusted in Jesus and through faith in his death on the cross, his atoning sacrifice, and his resurrection from the dead you’ve been forgiven, actually becoming the righteousness of God.

You see, when Jesus came to this earth, he came to save lost sinners, to give us a new identity in him, but also part of his purpose was to reveal what our Heavenly Father is really like. You see, God knew that our earthly fathers may not provide a true reflection of who he is; therefore, in his great wisdom he chose to reveal himself to us through the living example of his Son Jesus Christ. And Jesus said it this way, "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.

From now on, you do know him and have seen him…Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me…" (John 14:7, 11). In other words, by the words that he spoke and in the loving acts of compassion which he demonstrated, Jesus was imitating his Father and showing you and I exactly what our Heavenly Father is like; that he’s a loving, faithful, never leaving or forsaking, gracious God and Father who longs to spend time with his children.

Now, this coming Sunday, June 17th is Father’s Day, a day when we can remember and celebrate the fathers in our lives, but also remembering our Father, the Father of fathers. It’s an opportunity that can be a very meaningful, powerful, and intimate experience as we gather together in celebration. In fact, when Jesus would talk to his Heavenly Father, he would use an Aramaic term which means daddy.

In his original language, he would call God Abba, which means papa, or literally daddy God, Father God. This Sunday, would you join us at Christ’s Community Church located in Emmitsburg at 303 W. Lincoln Ave, beginning at 10:30 am as we learn about our Heavenly Father’s love and worship him who said, "You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). Our celebration is casual and all are welcome to come and worship with us. God bless you and have a wonderful Father’s Day!

Read past sermons by Pastor John Talcott