 When we look at ourselves, we desperately need to be able to see Jesus.  Children learn their first concepts about God from their fathers.  That’s appropriate.  “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

How can we fathers become like God?

 In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the father obviously represents God.  By exploring this parable, we can learn how to be fathers like God.  Luke 15:  Is God like Daddy?  If Daddy is:  A Delivering Daddy  A Desiring Daddy  A Delighting Daddy  A Driving Daddy

A Delivering Daddy vv 11-13

 “A Delivering Daddy” gives to his son.  “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living” (vv 11-13, ESV).

 A godly father will give to his children.  “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk 11:11- 13, ESV).  In the parable, the father gives his sons their inheritance.  What will godly fathers give their children today?

 Godly fathers will give their children material blessings.  “Children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children” (2 Cor 12:14, ESV).  “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim 5:8, ESV).

 More importantly, godly fathers will give spiritual blessings.  “You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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” (Deut 6:7, ESV).  “The father makes known to the children your faithfulness” (Is 38:19, ESV).

 Godly fathers will give generously, for God gives generously.  “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45, ESV).  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph 1:3, ESV).

Shall we be delivering daddies?

A Desiring Daddy v 20

 The Prodigal’s father earnestly desires his son do the right thing.  “He arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (v 20, ESV).

 This father earnestly desires his son to come home.  He sees his son from afar.  The implication is that he’s watching & waiting.  He runs to meet his son.  It was unbecoming a man in that culture to run.  God desires his children to do right.  God “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet 3:9, ESV).

We need to desire our children to do right. Are you a “Desiring Daddy”?

A Delighting Daddy vv 20-24

 This father is “A Delighting Daddy” – he forgives his son & delights in his repentance.  “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate” (vv 20-24, ESV).

 God is a Father who delights when his children do right.  “You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (Mic 7:18, NIV).  “I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10, ESV).

 Think of all this father had to forgive.  The son asked for his inheritance long before the father was dead!  The son goes to a far country & the father is obviously eaten up with worry.

 How shall we respond when our children disappoint?  “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32, ESV).  “If one has a complaint against another, [forgive] each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Col 3:13, ESV).

Let us be delighting, forgiving fathers!

A Driving Daddy vv 28b-32

 This is “A Driving Daddy” – he’s urging his elder son to do right.  “His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found’ ” (vv 28b-32, ESV).

 The elder son is the reason Jesus tells this parable.  The scribes & Pharisees are grumbling because Jesus receives sinners (vv 1-2).  Jesus has just told two other parables that demonstrate God’s joy over repentant sinners.  Jesus throws the scribes & Pharisees for a loop by putting them in the parable.  Because this son is the “main” character of the story, it’s only fitting that we discuss him.

 The elder brother throws a tantrum.  He claims to have worked & sacrificed but never received anything from his father.  The son’s claims are outrageous.  He claims he’s never disobeyed his father.  He claims he’s never received a goat to celebrate with his friends.  The father divided his inheritance between the sons.  The son’s share would have been twice of his brother’s – he could have bought his own goat.

 The father goes out to drive him – to urge him to do right.  God is certainly a Father who urges his children to do right.  Are we driving daddies? Do we urge our children to do right?