Message For Fathers

FATHER KNOWS BEST! For all fathers, especially Black Fathers, whose voices have not been heard, I sense your pride, feel your pain and hear your cry! Today is your day! The role of black fathers is one of the strongest and most important traditions in the black community.There is no question that in their earliest years in the New World enslaved African-Americans were concerned about their fathers- Moreover, their loyalty to their fathers.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: The president of the Chicago branch of the Lions™ Club, Harry Meek, is said to have celebrated the first Father's Day with his organization in 1915; and the day that they chose was the third Sunday in June, the closest date to Meek's birth date. Ms. Dodd of Spokane Washington did a lot for Father's Day. Ms. Dodd felt she had an outstanding father.He was a veteran of the Civil War. His wife had died young, and he had raised six children without their mother. Her church then started celebrating Father's Day.States and organizations began lobbying Congress to declare an annual Father's Day. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved of this idea, but it was not until 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event on the third Sunday in June.

TEXT: I would like to call your attention to the following text for Father's Day. This scripture is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:21-24)

THE TEXT AND ITS APPLICATION! The text deals with the parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke. This account is familiar to most of us. It's the story of a rebellious son who rejects his father's upbringing. Prideful and strong, the son heads off to a far-away land, leads a wild life of adventure and squanders everything of value (literally and symbolically). Not until he's confronted with failure and despair, does he return home, repentant and willing to do anything to win back his father's favor; To his surprise, and the surprise of others, he's welcomed, without question, into his father's loving and forgiving arms.

No amount of time, no amount of money, and no amount of rebellion could get in the way of the father's patience and unconditional love for his son. "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24). Of course, the awesome message of this parable is that God is patient and gracious with all of His children. He is willing to welcome each of us home with His loving and forgiving arms.

The Prodigal Son is a reality for many of us. In the journey of life, we soon realize there are no guarantees as Christian parents. No matter how hard we strive to teach our children about God and His Word, and no matter how often we pray for our children to discover Jesus Christ and His message of salvation, some decide to reject it all! Even in those families where God is loved, trusted and glorified, children sometimes rebel and run from their roots! PRODIGAL SON!

The road to God for each Prodigal Son is different. However, as the two stories above tell us, we should never give up - no matter how far away they seem! God gives us these examples in scripture so that we realize that our children may turn against God. He also gives us instruction on how to dig in spiritually for our prodigal children: Be in constant prayer, always lead by example, and follow through with love and grace, no matter how despairing things get.

WHAT IS A GOOD FATHER! Remember God's promise to those who raise children in a Christian home: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6 KJV).This is the foundation for fatherhood or parenting period! Great fathers make God the head of the house!

What is a good father?The text seems to emphasize three major qualities of a good father. They are love by example, patience, and unconditional love. I am sure there are many others. EXAMPLES OF GOOD FATHERS! Gardner Taylor is now 88 years old. He is considered one of the fifteen greatest English-speaking preachers in the world. He was asked who had a major influence on his decision to become a minister. He stated that his father was that person. Rev. Taylor said that his father was not well educated, however, he taught himself by reading in many areas.

This is a good example of ...love by example. I was involved in teaching young children chess in the 1980's.A young man calledme from South Africa who was an outstanding teacher in that area and said he would like to come to Raleigh where I was at the time and do a class. I said sure! He came with his father and brother. His father was a medical doctor and his brother was a medical doctor.I was amazed that his father loved and respected his son the teacher just as much as his son the medical doctor.

This is a good example of a father's¦ love and patience. I was very blessed growing up. I had the pleasure of growing up with my father and grandfather. They were both God fearing men. They were both farmers. They taught me great work ethics. I had to work very hard on the farm from the time I was six years old. However, we had a lot of down times. I still can remember the fishing and hunting trips I went on with my father and grandfather. There were many times my father could not go with us; my grandfather and I would go fishing or hunting. They were great examples of how to work hard and have quality down time.

When I did something wrong they were quick to show me the error of my way. When I got in trouble, they always knew what was best and could lead me in the right direction. My father and grandfather were great examples of unconditional love.

PRODIGY SON! My brother George learned much from them! He is a third generation farmer and has carried on their tradition well. I heard him say several weeks ago about his accomplishments as a father. He said that his two daughters had graduated from college and owned their own homes. He also has... two grandsons... to follow after him. What a great accomplishment as a father. He was the only child of four who built his career in the same town he was born. The other siblings moved away from home. He had the pleasure of being around my father and grandfathers all of his life. He has been successful in farming, mechanical engineering career, personal building, and construction. He and his wife have also been successful in the assistant living business.

Now, his leadership impacts the lives of hundreds of individuals in the community, on the job, and among family members. He and his wife were invited to the White House to be ...recognized by the... president for being ...successful minority business owners.

THE BLACK FATHER! Belle Hooks, in her "Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism" (1988), reminds us that "scholars have emphasized the impact of slavery on the black male consciousness, arguing that black men, more so than black women, were the real' victims of slavery." She documents the reality that "sexist historians and sociologists have provided the American public with a perspective on slavery in which the more cruel and dehumanizing impact of slavery on the lives of black people was that black men were stripped of their masculinity, which the psychologists and historians argue resulted in the dissolution and overall disruption of any black familial structure."

BLACK FATHERS WILL OVERCOME! I HEAR GOD SAYING...KEEP THE FAITH...FATHER KNOWS BEST! Regarding family and personal relationships, today's African-American males are no less sensitive than their forefathers. According to one black physician, "black men come to the psychiatrist's office in large numbers, in pain and genuinely seeking help. They have little or nothing to say about the statistics, myths and other sociological pronouncements so often made about them. Rather, they come in talking about depression, anxiety, frustration, fear, guilt, esteem issues and anger that are most often related to the close, ongoing relationships in their lives," (Henry E. Edward, "Black Families in Crisis: the Middle Class," 1988).

KEEP THE FAITH...FATHER KNOWS BEST! FATHER KNOWS BEST!! CONCLUSION God's promise to those who raise children in a Christian home: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6 KJV).This is the foundation for fatherhood or parenting period! Great fathers make God the head of the house! Of course, the awesome message of this parable is that God is patient and gracious with all of His children. He is willing to welcome each of us home with His loving and forgiving arms. The same way the father did the Prodigal Son. FATHER KNOWS BEST! HAPPY FATHERS DAY!! Esco Yancey, Jr., Ed.D.(ACSI) © 2008 GOSPEL TIMES MINISTRIES

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