I found this when I was cleaning up my old Yahoo mail account. It was written by my Dad. All I have done is clean up some of the formatting and correct the odd typo. I still remember parts of this sermon years later, and I honestly think that Dad was preaching under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, perhaps even more than he understood at the time. Enjoy!
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FATHERS' DAY DEDICATION OF SIMON WESLEY DART
Sunday, 3rd September, 2000
Christian Worship Centre, Collaroy Plateau
Infant Presentation & Parental Dedication conducted by his paternal grandfather
Psalm 127:3 says that children are 'a heritage and a reward from the Lord' and in Deuteronomy Chapter 6 parents are reminded that it is their responsibility to make their faith an integral part of their family life. Parents are encouraged to love God with all their heart, soul and strength and impress God's commandments on your children. 'Talk with them
when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up'. In other words, informally in the everyday living of your life, demonstrate in words and attitudes and actions that God is in control of your life, that He is the creator, that He is the provider, that He is the sustainer of your life and relationships i.e. parental education is NOT information-oriented but relationship-oriented and life-oriented!
Purpose :
1. To give thanks to the author of life
2. To enable the parents to make a commitment to God publicly
3. To invite special friends, church family and extended family to support the parents in the privilege and responsibility entrusted to them
Q.(of Wesley & Belinda) Do you promise before God and His people, with the help of those who stand with you today and through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to bring Simon up 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ', to live godly lives and by precept and example to transmit the love of God and do your part to make Jesus Christ known to Simon as Friend and Saviour?
Q. (of Jenny & Neil) Do you, as special friends of Wesley & Belinda, promise before God and His people, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to provide all the support that Wesley and Belinda need to fulfil their God-given task and will you pray for them regularly and allow them to be accountable to you for the parenting they will share together?
Q. (of the Congregation) Do you promise before God, insofar as you are able to live your lives before Simon (and all other children) in ways that are Christlike and to pray and do whatever you can to encourage and support Wesley & Belinda in the challenging task of parenting? (IF YOU ARE PREPARED TO DO SO, PLEASE INDICATE BY STANDING )
The following blessing and then prayer (taking Simon in my arms)
SIMON WESLEY DART, 'May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and give you His peace.' (Numbers 6 : 26)
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PARENTING IN THE 2000's
I want to speak today to parents of all kinds............
The Family was instituted by God and in Genesis 1:27 the Bible says that after God created Adam and Eve and then He blessed them and said to them amongst other things - 'Be fruitful and multiply'.
And so parenting was approved by God. Children are special to him and he entrusts them to fallible human beings!
The Word of God tells many stories about both the influence of parents on children. I want to remind you this morning of a few examples of parenting which are recorded in The Bible for our instruction.
1. HOW NOT TO DO IT
* ISAAC & REBEKAH (Gen. 27) with sons, Esau & Jacob
Deception & Lies
* JACOB & RACHEL (Gen. 37 esp. vs 3&4) with son, Joseph
Favouritism (sibling rivalry)
* ELI - The Priest (1 Sam. 2:12 & 22-25a) with sons, Hophni & Phineas Lack of Discipline -immorality
* DAVID (2 Sam. esp. Ch.13) & his children
No boundaries or limits set
cf. own adultery, incest, rebellion,murder
2. HOW TO DO IT
* THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON (Luke 15 :11-31) - told by Jesus
vs. 11 - Two sons.
Children are different.
vs. 12 - The father listened to his son and was willing 'to let go'.
Children need parents to listen and after modelling the right values, to allow them to take risks and, if they make mistakes, to be there when they come to their senses vs 20. The father continued to love his son even though he was 'in a far country'. Children need parents to love them even when they do the wrong thing.
vs. 21ff - The father allowed expression of opinions & feelings and was ready and willing to forgive his children.
Children need parents to respect how they think & feel and to distinguish between them and their behaviour so that they can forgive the child without condoning sinful behaviour.
vs. 20,22 & 31 - The father affirmed his children in words & deeds.
Children need parents to express their love as well as show affection.
vs. 28ff - The father was prepared to take the initiative (esp with his elder son)
Children need parents to make the first move when relationships have turned sour.
N.B. The story of the prodigal son is not just the story of an earthly father treats his children but the story of how our Heavenly Father treats us - his prodigal children!
1. He is an active listener to our requests (even unreasonable ones).
2. He always responds and allows us the freedom to make mistakes . He never seeks to control us and make us do what He wants but has a given us a free will.
3. Even when we make mistakes, He loves us just the same and He never gives up on us.
4. He allows us to learn from the mistakes we make and is always ready and willing to forgive us when we come to our senses and repent of our wilful and sinful ways.
5. He affirms our worth and value and made each of us in His image.
6. He permits us to own and express our thoughts and feelings to Him without judgment or condemnation.
7. He hates sin but loves the sinner.
8. He loves us unconditionally and He took the initiative in expressing His love in action by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and Redeemer.
This is how God parents us and nurtures us. What a gracious, tender, loving and forgiving parent He is. He invites you and me today, with the enabling of His Holy Spirit, to treat our children, grandchildren and one another the way He treats us.
It's my prayer that, in future, as you reflect on the parable of the prodigal son, you will not miss the picture of the love of God for His lost children and will see His arms outstretched and running towards you , ready to embrace you and welcome you or any other person who repents and returns home.
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