Help from the Lord, Father's Day Sermon, Loyal OK Peace UCC

Peace United Church of Christ
Loyal, OK
Leon Seaton, Pastor
Sunday, June 18, 2000
"Father's Day"

Rev. & Mrs. Seaton

About Jonah and the whale...is the story true?
Read what a child said.

Help from the Lord

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. Romans 8:12-17

This is Father’s Day, the day our country has set aside to celebrate the joy of being a dad! Thank you, dads! We appreciate what you do for us!

It is a wonderful privilege to be a dad…although there are occasional moments of doubts and fears about whether or not we are able to measure up to the responsibility. Since self- confidence (or a lack thereof) was always a problem for me, I wasn’t sure I could be a successful dad, but with the help of God and a wonderful wife, we have some fantastic children! And so do the rest of you!

Although there is a lot of sin in the world, the God we serve is able to help us overcome the problems in rearing our children. It appears that God’s biggest problem is finding men and women – and young people - who are willing to walk in complete obedience to Him in bringing up God-fearing children. God is committed to our success, but He will not override our free wills! As you know, with freedom comes responsibility. And with responsibility comes accountability!

Roberta and I have four children. Until recently we had one in Germany, one in Texas, one in California and one in Oklahoma. Our influence was being felt around the world! That, my friends, is scary. As I wrote this sermon yesterday it occurred to me that by putting it on the Internet it could be read around the world. Since I am your pastor I am sensitive to what you say, and I learn from you on a routine basis. Therefore you influence what I preach, so you are a vital part of this ministry – and have some accountability! Wow! [Note: our son who was in Germany is now in Texas.]

How are we going to fulfill that responsibility? Through the power of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit! In verse Romans 8:5-10 we read: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”

Verse 10: “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Paul indicates that although our bodies are dying (the death rate is still 100%) our souls will live on forever. Where the soul lives is entirely our personal choice! What does this have to do with Father’s Day? Everything! Our children usually follow us wherever we go!

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
(Written through the eyes of a child)

(This is a message every parent should read, because your children are watching you and “doing as you DO,” not necessarily “doing as you SAY!”)

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned those little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but that it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.’”

Each of us, whether parent or friend, influence the life of a child.
(From an email sent by a friend, source unknown)

The church is the body of Christ – all believers make up the body of Christ. The organized church is where we attend each week. The tragedy of the organized church is that far too many men have dropped out. This absence speaks volumes to the silent observer. Whether or not you give lip service to the need for the church the bottom line is whether or not you attend! Example is so important.

In his book Lessons from a Father to His Sons, Senator John Ashcroft writes:

Until 1997 Michael Jordan, indisputably the leading player in the NBA for over a decade, was never the highest paid player. When asked why he did not do what so many other players do – hold out on their contracts until they get more money – Michael replied, “I have always honored my word. I went for security. I had six-year contracts, and I always honored them. People said I was underpaid, but when I signed on the dotted line, I gave my word.”

Three years later, after several highly visible players reneged on their contracts, a reporter asked Michael once again about being underpaid, and he explained that if his kids saw their dad breaking a promise, how could he continue training them to keep their word? By not asking for a contract renegotiation, Michael Jordan spoke volumes to his children. He told them, “You stand by your word, even when that might go against you.” His silence became a roar.

--John Ashcroft, Lessons from a Father to His Sons (Thomas Nelson, 1998)

One of the greatest tragedies in the world today is the abuse of children by their parents. Abuse, emotional, sexual, and physical, plus neglect is happening on a daily basis. This spreads the anger against God and mankind because the child has to express it some way or another. Then when abused children become parents, they often pass the abuse on to their children.

It is imperative that we routinely seek help from the Lord – and offer our services to God in any way He chooses. We need to think globally! We are in this world to make a difference, otherwise God would just take us on home to heaven when we become Christians!

What have your children learned from you? The story is told of a pastor who was feeling mischievous one Sunday morning. As he walked down the hall toward the sanctuary he met a little girl standing outside her preschool Sunday school classroom. She was waiting for her parents to pick her up for “big church.” She was clutching a big storybook under her arm with the title, “Jonah and the Whale.”

As he knelt beside the girl he asked, “What’s that you have in your hand?” “This is my storybook about Jonah and the whale,” she answered.

“Tell me something,” he continued, “do you believe that story about Jonah and the whale?” The girl said, “Why, of course I believe it!”

The pastor inquired further, “You really believe a man can be swallowed up by a big whale, stay inside him all that time, and come out okay?” She declared, “Yes! This story is in the Bible, and we talked about it in Sunday school today.”

Then the pastor asked, “Can you prove to me this story is true?”

She thought for a moment and then said, “Well, when I get to heaven, I’ll ask Jonah.”

Finally the pastor asked, “What if Jonah’s not in heaven?”

The girl put her hands on her hips and sternly declared, “Then YOU can ask him!”
Rich Tatum, Carol Stream, ILL; source unknown
PreachingToday.com

This girl believes because of what she was taught at home. What do you believe? What do you teach?

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When unchurched people know we are Christians they have high expectations of us and often let us know about them. In 1959 I had just broken up with my girl friend and was feeling pretty discouraged. Late one evening I was joking with some of the guys in the barracks and told a shady joke. They all knew about my commitment to God and let me know immediately that they did not think I should tell such a joke. It really messed up my testimony. In fact, it was several weeks before I earned their respect again! It was an expensive lesson. Things changed when I was pushing my $100 typewriter down the sidewalk on a typing table. ($100 was my monthly take home pay back then.) The cart hit a broken spot in the sidewalk and turned over, destroying the typewriter. Most of the guys who had heard my joke were sitting on the porch when I dumped the typewriter. All I said was “Oops!” One of the men said, “You must be a Christian if you didn’t curse just now, for you certainly had a right to!” (Don’t tell dirty jokes! It is expensive!)

Have you made Christ the center of your life? I certainly hope so! If not, take a moment to pray, confessing your sin and asking Jesus to come into your life. It really is that simple. Then make a strong commitment to serve him.

Examine your heart before the Lord… see if He has any suggestions! He will give you all the help you need to live an overcoming life and accomplish the work He has called you to do!

Please feel free to contact Pastor Leon by e-mail.
He will be pleased to hear from you!

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