Sermon Cloud

Communion (Song Track 2 by Jon Foreman): 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (Come Together in Unity, Not Divisions, Not Factions; Bread (vv.23-24); Drink (vv. 25); Conclusion (vv. 26).

Introduction

Clip #1: Rocky Balboa – Sets the Example of what it means to be a father and a sons concern for his father.

 Question: What kinds of images come to your mind when you think of a Father?

Illustration: Special Police Officer that was gunned down at Holocaust Museum son called his dad a Loving Father. A Hero.

 Question: Was your dad like Rocky Balboa…a fighter…a provider…a man of integrity…a promise keeper…an example setter…always leading the way…never giving up…a man who stood tall and strong no matter how difficult the storm?

 Question: Did your father care for you, your siblings, your friends, his co-workers, and other people or did he just care for himself?

 Question: Did other people look up to your father seek him out to ask his advice about matters of importance?

Illustration: I remember one of my sisters first boyfriends, a marine, he desperately wanted to go to college so he could become an officer in the marine corps…so my father helped pay for his college education. Cared For Others…

Illustration: Another memory of my dad when I was 10 years old…promised to go fishing…Promise Keeper.

Illustration: Another memory of my dad when we were fishing…taking fire from someone with a rifle...a protector…leader…man of action!

Questions…Have you ever…

 been frustrated because your kids weren’t listening?

 made a promise to help someone in need and then failed to keep it?

 shrunk back when confronted with a difficult situation where other people needed you to step up, to lead, to make a decision and stuck your head in the sand?

Illustration: Allison’s recent trip to Minnesota for her Grandmother’s funeral was challenging

at multiple levels. One area that was particularly challenging is taking care of the kids while Allison was gone. After a day of feeling sorry for myself…and recognizing I was physically present with my kids, doing what I had too to get by but relationally distant; I determined to be with them both physically and relationally. Boy this was challenging…

It’s interesting that we find God the Father interacting with His son, like a coach before a big game, before one of his greatest tests. Also interesting Jesus does exactly what His Father asks.

 Matthew 3:13-16 Jesus’ Baptism tested/trial by Satan himself…

This is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.

Question: How many of us would love to hear those words?

Answer: Many of us don’t! Our Fathers haven’t been fathered!

Clip #2: Rocky Balboa – Outside Adriannes, son asks father to back down.

 Is it incredible that you and I, even though we’ve messed it up more times than we can count, have the opportunity each and every day to do it right as a father?

 Is it incredible that you and I, even in our uncertainty, have the opportunity to influence our children, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances, to help them make the best out of a bad situation?

 Is it incredible that you and I, though we’re often over whelmed in own life struggles, have the opportunity to speak that word that encourages that person who wants to quit…to keep going?

 Question: Will we step up? Will we be the father that’s needed in the moment?

Illustration: Terry Benson, Biological Father, Dad

I’ve had the blessing to have an incredible Biological Father…which many don’t have. No he didn’t make all my football and baseball games, but he was there for the important stuff…taught me how to throw and catch a base ball, taught me how to shoot a weapon, taught me how to build, taught me how to care for my sister, taught me how to stand up and fight, taught me how to work hard, taught me how to go for your dreams. He was there for my commissioning as a 2nd Lt, He was there for my Graduation as a Baltimore Police, He was there when I was diagnosed with cancer, He was there at my ordination. He wasn’t perfect but he taught me how to be a Father, he taught me how to be a man. At his Celebration Service…I had the privilege of hearing how my lives my father’s life had impacted and influenced many.

Illustration: Larry Levy, Spiritual Father

I’ve had the blessing of having another Father…my Father In Law Larry Levy. He was what I call my spiritual father…he taught me how to be a man of God…he showed me how to take what my dad taught me about being a man and apply it to Following Christ. During his last days in the hospital many 40 somethings, friends, co-workers and so on visited him to thank him for making a difference in their lives. He was a father to me and Allison and a Spiritual Father to many.

Challenge…

I’ve seen the destruction as a cop on the streets of Baltimore of Fatherlessness! True Father’s are invaluable…, they are desperately needed. We’ve all been hurt, broken by a lack of Fathering. This pain continues to destroy generation after generation…the Apostle James wrote that true religion is to care for the widows and orphans those who are fatherless…this is our Challenge as men…

 Question: What’s the mark of Great Father’s?

Answer: A Father is always willing to sacrifice his need to meet the need of the one he loves.

The exciting reality for each of us is this…by having a relationship with the Father…just as Christ had with His Father…we have the same potential to impact and influence those people God has called us to Father… This summary of statistics paints a very sad picture of the devastation that Fatherlessness brings to America:

Children of fatherless families have greater and earlier sexual activity, dramatically greater risk of drug and alcohol abuse, more mental illness, more suicide, poorer educational performance, and higher rates of teen pregnancy, criminality, and sexual abuse. They are more likely to have suffered child abuse and more often have earlier death, confused identities (boys), more aggressive behavior (boys), more emotional distress, uncooperative behavior, more anxiety and depression (girls), more antisocial behavior, and school suspensions.

Reflection: Take a moment…think about who in your life desperately needs fathering? What are you going to do about it…and think beyond your own children, and grandchildren…who is that neighbor that needs you to speak those words of fatherly advice…who is that co-worker that looks like they’re going through hell and is just waiting for a father, someone just like, to step up and speak that word of encouragement? “This is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased!” Who needs to hear the kind of words Rocky shared with his son who was quitting life, playing the victim.

To Help You Do This…Live Relevant Hang Out Talk…

Please feel free to come up after the Gathering to hang out and talk. If you have any questions about our Uplink – Presence focused, Life Together Groups; Campus Life Clubs for HS & MS students; want to learn more about Matt’s House; or need prayer please don’t hesitate to come up and talk with us.