(I didn't post the sermon last week due to VBS activites. I will post it on Shannon's Youtube Channel which is called Green Broke Preacher. The sermon last week was called "In The Beginning . . . and the end. Access it here)

The following statistics are of American households:

43% of children live without a father in the home.
90% of homeless/runaway children are without a father in the home.
71% of pregnant teens are without a father in the home.
85% of children who exhibit behavioral disburtances are without a father in the home.
71% of high school dropouts are without a father in the home.
63% of youth suicides are committed by youths without a father in the home.

Being a father is hard.

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his [a]wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and [b]hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the [c]pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to [d]his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and [e]in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to [f]his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and [g]embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate." Luke 15:11-24

Our compassion has to be beyond our natural human tendencies.

Qualities of a Biblical Father:

I. A Biblical Father Teaches.

5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as [a]frontals [b]on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

If we're not teaching we are letting our children down.

You might not be actively teaching but you are still teaching kids with everything you do. They watch and will do what you do.

II. A Biblical Father Leads.

"15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

III. A Biblical Father Disciplines.

Correcting behavior, explaining.

"My son, do not reject the [a]discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12

IV. A Biblical Father is compassionate.

Mourn with them.

Be vulnerable with them.

"Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who [a]fear Him.
For He Himself knows [b]our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust." Psalm 103:13-14

V. A Biblical Father Provides.

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8

"Or what man is there among you [a]who, when his son asks for a loaf, [b]will give him a stone? 10 Or [c]if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:9-11

VI. A Biblical Father Loves.

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag andis not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [a]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of [b]prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.' 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Men, step up. Fathers, need to be in church. Be a father to a child, a young man who doesn't have a father. 

The whole world is a prodigal son!

Four Mothers

Hannah -- A praying mother

18 "Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a boy [a]wearing a linen ephod. 19 And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you [b]children from this woman in place of [c]the one she dedicated to the Lord.” And they went to their own [d]home." 1 Samuel 2:18-20

If you have a praying mother, be thankful.

Our mothers were the first ones to show us the love of God.

"Behold, children are a [a]gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Eunace -- A Teaching Mother

3 "I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience [a]the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my [b]prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 [c]For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well." 1 Timothy 1:3-5

If you have a teaching mother, be thankful.

Jochebed -- A sacrificing mother

"Now a man from the house of Levi went and [a]married a daughter of Levi. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw [b]that he was [c]beautiful, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a [d]wicker [e]basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to [f]find out what would [g]happen to him.
5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the [h]basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. 6 When she opened it, she [i]saw the child, and behold, the [j]boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call [k]a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?”8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him [l]Moses, and said, “Because I [m]drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:1-10

Jochebed sacrificed him to save him.

If you have a sacrificing mother, be thankful.

Mary -- a long-suffering mother

18 "And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:18-19

What an amazing experience for Mary. 

"When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, [a]what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:3-5

Jesus honored her mother's request even though he told her it wasn't his time. He loved her.

47 "Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”[a] 48 But [b]Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” Matthew 12:47-48

She gets rejected by her son publicly.

26 "When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”27 Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household." John 19:26-27

From the cross Jesus took care of his mother. It was one of the last things he did.

14 "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Acts 1:14

​If you have a long-suffering mother, be thankful.

We have a Father who listens and answers prayer.

Christianity is the only faith with a living God and a God who is listening to us.

Pray according to God's will.

14"For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a]in heaven and on earth derives its name." Ephesians 3:14-15

2 ways to learn how to pray: taught or caught

20 "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Ephesians 2:20

9"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

We aren't given faith to get things.  Get your feet wet.

What we're asking for should glorify God.

He won't give us something that won't glorify God.

Be strengthened within.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,"
Ephesians 3:16

​ "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

If we focus on the problem the problem becomes who we are.

Put your heart and mind on the other side. If not where's our witness?


Our inner strength will grow when we focus on Christ.

If you don't push yourself beyond your capability you won't grow.

To do this we must be rooted in Christ.

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,"
Ephesians 3:17

Be rooted in Christ.  Power to Serve God.  Ask to fully grasp the love of Christ.

"may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:18-19

Be filled every day.

Be loving toward all all the time.

Without the love we cannot be who we are meant to be.

God is more than we can comprehend.  We are to be filled for His glory daily.  Don't be overwhelmed with life. Be overwhelmed with God.

Desire for us to have this.He loves to see joy in His children. He loves to see His children living to their fullest potential.



​

Shannon preached at the Pioneer Hall in Dupree today as part of the Community Service for Pioneer Days. He spoke the importance of being in a community of Believers.

I. We all see God.

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.
 “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
And let the fish of the sea declare to you.
 “Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
 In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?" Job 12:7-10

When you watch a sunset you know God exists.  Every newborn has God's fingerprints. New Birth is a miracle in all its forms.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
 Their [a]line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun," Psalm 19:1-4

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20

II. We have faith He will keep working. This isn't an easy place to live. We have faith it will be green again in the spring even when it is a drought right now.

III. The Creator wants you.

He wants a personal relationship with you as an individual. 

"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40

There's not a single person God doesn't want.

 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

We're not good enough. We can't fix it by ourselves. He loves us anyway. You were born ready to accept God. You were born with a need for Jesus Christ. Accept Him now. 

The only thing that keeps us from God is our own stubbornness. He did everything He needed to do so we could be with Him. We need more God and less religion. We let religion get in the way of relationship. The most necessary part is relationship with Christ. There is no way to the Father except through Christ. We have to go through Jesus. 


1. Recognize God as God.
2. Recognize you as you. 
3. Ask Him to enter life. 

The most important communities are based on relationships. 

There is a legacy of faith in each of us (or we wouldn't be here). There's a need for revival. 
​


Footnotes:

Human error once again stopped us from sharing with you Shannon's sermon verbally, but we do have some notes. Hope they bless you. See below:

Paul had a list of challenges. He saw Jesus and was struck blind; then had to be led around. He was used to being respected and became an outcast. Even the church didn't trust him at first. He was shipwrecked, flogged, stoned. He knew hunger and cold. He was in prison for many years. Through all this (and not through incredibly "blessed" circumstances) he learned how to be content. 

"I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13

It's not natural to be content. Our natural state is we want more of _______. We never have enough. Satan uses this against us. He says if you do this you'll have more. What a lie!

Satan did this with Jesus in Luke 4. The first temptation was to turn stones into bread -- temptation for necessarities. The second one was proving Himself (throw yourself off the building. Angels will catch you). The third was about having all the stuff you'd ever want (I'll give you the whole world. Just fall down and worship me). 

Jesus could have done any of that but that wasn't why He was sent. If He had given in, if He had cut corners to God's way, He would have negated His purpose. We will do the same if we live our way rather than God's way.   

If we are not living in the moment, we are missing out. You are not creating a memory by videotaping it. You create a memory by living it.

Find your joy on the inside. Can't allow that desire for more control us or we will cut corners when we shouldn't. We will fail. 

If our contentment isn't coming from within material stuff will take control. Without Christ there is no contentment.

​God has all the big things under His control.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

Put your mind on the beauty. This is a learned behavior. Look for the beauty!

We don't undersatnd the lack in other parts. We just have to look around and find the joy. 

Little things!

The big secret -- remember what we have. God takes care of the big things. Don't look horizontally for contentment. Look vertically -- look up to God. 

We gotta let go of the past (forgive everyone including yourself). Acknowledge baggage is there so God can deal with it for you. 

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

It isn't about self suffficiency. It isn't about our strength. God gives us strength. This verse is about contentment not about our own strength. We are insufficient. God is sufficient. Self-sufficiency will always fail. 

God doesn't give us unlimited strength. He has unlimited strength. 

It was neat to see the imperfection. When we aren't able to pull, He'll pull. He uses His strength to carry us. I can't do it alone. Be content with this. God's got us.

Life is not a DVD. We cannot fast forward through bad times.

Look at the other side of it. We can learn contentment. 

Chlldren. When they hurt they run to Mom and Dad. They know Mom and Dad will make it all better. This is how we need to be with Father God. We need to run to HIm with everything knowing He will make it better. 

Following are the notes I took from today's sermon. Wow -- it is worth listening to. It is very challenging personally and socially.

Text taken from Revelation 2:1-7.  Walking in this means "actively walking for a purpose" or patrolling. Jesus is patrolling His churches (Rev 2:1).

Ephesus was a successful church. It was about 40 years old at the time of this letter. Many had been involved in it: Paul, Timothy, Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla. It was one of the churches doing it right. Every letter starts with what the church is doing right.

1. Labor to the point of weariness.
2. Perserverance -- ability to carry on.

Apostles in this passage means missionaries. The church at Ephesus was good at discerning right from wrong. The church held to right from wrong.

"Yet, I hold this against you." Rev. 2:4

"You have left your first love."

Meaning you have divorced your first love. Without love, the rest of it means nothing.

You're consistent. The reason you do things went from a desire, a burning passion for Christ was replaced with obligation -- this is a red flag for us to do something.

Are we like Ephesus?

Have we lost our passion, our love?

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first"
Rev 3:5a

You gotta come back -- you can do it right. Love, love, love, love. If we've gotten too busy doing other stuff -- without love it's all worthless. God's a jealous God. He doesn't want anyone to slip away.

Christ never abandons us. Never. You know right from wrong. Great. So now, come back. That child-like faith. Repent -- turn back to God. Remember from where we came from.

1. Spend more time in worship, praising God. It is one of the first things to go when our faith goes stale.
We cannot add to the time we have here on earth. We can add to the quality of our time. If I don't make an effort I will only remember the negative. We need to see God at work.

2. We need to surround ourselves with others who are passionate about Jesus. We are here to support each other. We need this connection. We need each other. We're here to help each other get recharged. We need to guard that first love. He should feel us holding onto Him.

Imagine what Father wants from us -- Hold my hand. Jesus said we have to have the faith of a child. Let's reset ourselves. 

Jude 17-25

"Keep yourselves in the love of God" (21)

build "yourselves up on your most holy faith" (20)

When people look at me, do they know I love Jesus? We have to have that first love in our lives.

VBS is a great outreach to our community. This week we kicked it off today and will go through Friday. Monday we had about 35 children attend. We are believing for a whole lot more tomorrow. Thanks to the wonderful people at the church who are so dedicated.