THANK YOU, DADS!
GENESIS 27:27-40
Today I
would like to share two different stories about dads from the Bible. As we
celebrate what it means to be a dad, I want to recognize and say thank you to
the dads here this morning and those watching online today. Just as we
celebrated moms about a month ago and recognized the vital role women have
played in our lives, I would like to do the same thing for our dads and those
special men that have been so important to us during our lives. As I said I
would like us to look at two dads from scripture. One in the Old Testament and
one from the New Testament. First off let us look at what we can learn from
Isaac and the way he dealt with his two sons. What we read was the second part
of something going on between two brothers. To tell a little background without
reading it all, we see two brothers named Jacob and Esau. In Genesis 25, we see
how they were born and how things went as they grew up. In the 27th
and 28th verses of the 25th chapter, we read the boys
grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country while
Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild
game loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. So, we see their dad had a special
place in his heart for Esau who was the first born, but his mom had stronger
feelings for Jacob. We skipped quite a bit by reading those small portions of
scripture but in chapter 25 it showed us a little bit of how Esau thought about
things. At this time, there were two really big deals that happened to the
oldest son. One was the birthright; the second was the blessing. The birthright
had to do about inheritance and leadership within the family. In chapter 25, we
can see in 29-34 verses that Esau was more concerned about putting food in his
stomach than the birthright, so he sold it to Jacob for some food. What we then
read in chapter 27 has to do with his blessing--that also had great significance
at this time. Children craved their father’s blessing. We see a couple of
things happening here. Jacob’s mother helped Jacob trick his dad into giving
him Esau’s blessing. As we read, we saw what the blessing said. When it was too
late to take it back, Isaac realized what had happened. In verse 36 we read,
though, Esau was not totally honest with his dad. He said Jacob took his
birthright, which is not exactly correct. Esau sold it willingly for some food.
But we see his dad’s love and compassion for Esau. Isaac knew he could not
change Jacob’s blessing. It was binding before God, but he did what he could.
Esau’s blessing acknowledged Esau’s life will be hard, but he would break the chains
to his brother at some point. Isaac was a loving father that knew his one son
would do alright. He had the birthright and the blessing. But he wanted Esau to
also know I love you and I feel the hurt you feel.
Now I would
like to quickly shift to the New Testament and share the story of the prodigal
son. We find this story in Luke 15:11-32. Most all of us have read this story
many times or heard it talked about in Sunday School or from the pulpit. I am
not going to read it this morning. I will simply retell it to refresh our
memories. As I am sure you recall, there was a dad who also had two sons. At
some point, the younger son told his dad I want my portion of your inheritance.
Apparently at this time that was something that you could ask for. So, his dad
gave him what he would inherit. He left for what he probably wanted to believe
would be fame and fortune, but the exact opposite occurred. In a short time, he
was broke. He reduced himself to working on a pig farm, something no Jewish
person would ever do, to try to get by. Before long he realized his dad’s hired
men had it much better off than he did. I am going back home he said to himself.
Not as a son but as a hired man. His dad saw him coming from a distance and
said to some of his men we are going to have a party. To the younger son’s
credit, he admitted he deserved nothing from his dad. He just wanted a job.
When the older brother heard all the commotion and found out it was for his
wayward younger brother, he was mad. How could you do this dad? It is not fair.
But he explained to his oldest son all this will some day be yours. I
appreciate your dedication and commitment, but I thought I would never see your
brother again. I love you son, but I never stopped praying for and loving your
younger brother. As we look at these two dads, we see men who loved their sons.
Obviously, it could have been about daughters just as well. These are dads who
showed God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s compassion and yet also showed God’s
integrity. This Father’s Day I hope you all first off have some good memories
of your dads, whether they are still alive today or have already gone ahead and
are in the presence of the Lord. The truth is none of our dads were perfect,
but I pray you can remember how God used your dad or an important father figure
to help you become the person of God you are today. And for the dads here today
or watching where you are, God still has important work for you to do. You men
of God are being watched all the time. We must continue to step up and accept
the challenge God has placed before us. I have been so blessed to not only have
a great dad but also some great men who modeled God the Father to me. So, to
all you men today, I encourage you in the Lord to keep doing your best. God
will use you in a mighty way. Thank you and have a great Father’s Day! With
God’s help, we will make a difference in our families and in our part of the
world that the Lord has placed you in.
Larry
Announcements
June:
We
will worship in the sanctuary at 10:00 for those who feel comfortable coming.
Physical distancing must be maintained and the wearing of face masks, please.
We will also continue the facebook live service for those who wish to stay
home. We have not started Sunday School yet.
July 1:
Denominational Worship
Gathering will take place virtually at 7:00 pm Central. It
will center around the theme: “New
World Coming!” Two of my cousins will be performing a musical number,
probably with handbells since that is their forte`. A children’s worship will take place at
6:30 p.m. www.brethren.org/ac/virtual Follow
the links to connect that evening.
July
2: an
online Church of the Brethren concert, also at 7:00 p.m. The link above
is the one to connect to the concert as well. Trust me (Carol), all of these
events will be very well done and well worth your time to watch.
July
8: Board Meeting
Daily
Bread: June – August issue is
available.
THANK
YOU
to the people who have been mowing!!! This chore is greatly appreciated.
THANK
YOU
to all who helped in any way with our revised edition of the Strawberry
Festival!! We will report the proceeds when we have finalized the figures, but
it was successful.
THANK
YOU to
the State Bank of Cerro Gordo for the grant money that we have received.
**************************
First Sunday of the month: Food
Banks
Food
needs: boxes of cereal, boxes of prepared foods, such as soups, potatoes, rice,
mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly
This
month please consider sending The Lord’s Storehouse a monetary donation. The
address is PO Box 229, La Place, IL 61936.
Donation Box June: Vacation
Bible School; we host in 2021.
Larry
Traxler’s phone number: 217-454-2362
Keep
in Your Prayers
Anna Gentry Thompson; Arnold
Schultz; Steve Fansler; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Shirley Clarkson; Mike Seidenstricker;
Adiline Young; Barb Baker; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liam
Martina; Ali Bryant; Jeff Sawyer; Liza
Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge
Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo Hanaver; Zola Copeland and family; Jennifer
Like; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken
requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; Joe
Martina’s cousin who has COVID-19; the families of the 120,000+ people who have died from
COVID-19; protesters
Military and Other
Services and their families
Brethren Volunteer
Service workers; Disaster project workers
Prayers and cards of encouragement are requested for:
Zola Copeland – 214 E. Fitch St. Forsyth, IL 62535-9668
Anna Rose Larrick – C/O Evergreen Place
#110
4825 E. Evergreen Ct.
Decatur IL 62521
Shawn Cain – 208
West Wait St. Cerro Gordo IL 61818
Robert Cripe – 21
Park Street Danville IL 61832
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