The lesson on June 19, 2011 was celebrating Fathers Day and opened up with the scripture reading in Psalms 78:1-8 KJV "1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God." This lesson also covered the parable in Luke 15 which is normally refered to as the parable of the prodigal son... but this message looks at it from the perspective of the loving father.
The lesson on June 20, 2010 celebrated Father's Day and opened with the scripture reading from Prov 4:1-7 KJV "1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Father’s Day. The lesson on June 21, 2009 was given on Father’s Day and the scripture reading was in Matthew 7:21-29. The only time you like to get older is when you are a kid. If you less than ten years old, you are so excited to get older so you think in fractions. When asked how old you are, you answer 4 and 1/2. You’re never 36 and 1/2. When you get into your teens, they can’t hold you back... When asked how old you are, you answer “I’m going to be sixteen.” Then the great day of you life occurs when you turn 21. Even the word sounds like a ceremony. Then you turn 30.
Father’s Day. The lesson on June 17, 2007 takes a break from the Timothy Series and gives a lesson on Father’s Day. Billy Graham once was quoted as saying “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” And yet fatherhood today is being assailed, maligned, and marginalized. Perhaps this started in America 45 years ago when we allowed prayer to be removed from our schools. The de -masculinization of men was one of the reasons listed in the fall of the Roman Empire.
Father’s Day. We live in a homogenized society today. The land of the free and the home of the brave has been turned into the land of whoever and the home of “stay as long as you want”. America is in a sad state of affairs today as the Christian foundation has eroded in our families and therefore our Nation. There is no declaration of what’s right and absolute. There is an attack on the family in this homogenized society when what we have nationally and spiritually has been diluted to exclude God.
The lesson on June 19, 2005 celebrated Father's Day and opened with the scripture reading in Hebrews 12:5-11 KJV "5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
The lesson on June 20, 2004 was entitled "The Love of a Father" and celebrated Father's Day 2004. The scripture reading was in Colossians 1:16-20 KJV. "16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
All Truth - Part 1. In Colossians 4:12 (KJV), the Apostle Paul tells us “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” The idea of perfection here is not being perfect but being like a ripe piece of fruit. However, why does Epaphras pray that another saint to be complete? This prayer demonstrates that there is a difference between salvation and calling.
Father’s Day. A non-traditional Father’s Day message is in store for those who listen to the lesson on June 15, 2003. Traditional lessons would focus on the horizontal relationship fathers have or the duties they should be doing. God has given everyone the desire to succeed but work is not to become the idol of your life. It will never give you the true meaning of life. You can go through all the experiences in life and it will never give you any meaning. Solomon tells us that the things and experiences in life that people pursue is all vanity.
Living a Power Filled Life. The lesson on 06-16-2002 celebrates Father’s Day in America. For this message, the scripture reading covered Luke 15:11-13. Living a power filled life from a Christian perspective recognizes that true power is not worldly. Worldly success is vain and never satisfies. Consider the man who has six million dollars to the man that has six children. The millionare wants more yet the man with six kids is satisfied! But seriously, riches, strength, and glory are things we should not pursue.
