FROM THE PULPIT; WHOSE DAD IS BEST?

"My governor can beat up your governor." So reads the message on some bumpers of Minnesota cars. It reminds me of the bragging we used to do as children about our dads. "My dad is bigger than your dad." "Oh yeah? Well, my dad is stronger than your dad." "Oh yeah? Well, my dad is faster than your dad." "Oh yeah? Well, my dad is smarter than your dad." "Oh yeah? Well, my dad is richer than your dad." "Is not." "Is so." Etc.

Well, let me tell you about my dad this Father's Day weekend. My dad really is smarter than your dad. He knows everything. "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give Him advice?" (Rom. 11:34) "Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding." (Ps.139:6)

My dad really is the richest of all. He owns everything! "All the animals in the forest are mine, and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are mine, and all living things in the fields." (Ps.50:10-11) "The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord, the earth and all who live on it are His." (Ps.24:1)

My dad is stronger; He can do anything. "Sovereign Lord, you made the earth and the sky by your great power and might; nothing is too difficult for You." (Jer. 32:17) "For there is nothing that God cannot do." (Lk. 1:37)

My dad gives me all good things. "Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." (Mt. 7:7) "How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." (Lk. 11:13)

My dad loves me more than anything. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "But God has shown us how much He loves us -- it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!" (Rom. 5:8) "God is love." (1 John 4:8)

My dad really has the biggest and best house imaginable. "There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2) "He showed me Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down out of heaven from God and shining with the glory of God." (Rev. 21:10-11)

God's spirit causes His children to cry to Him Abba!, which means "Daddy" or "Papa." This is the term Jesus used when He called God "Father." And it indicates the tender love God has for each and every one of us, and the love we can have for Him when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and turn toward God. Jesus' "daddy" becomes ours as well, and He will be glad to receive us as His children, to save us, perfect us, and takes us someday to our heavenly home- His "house."

I have been blessed with a wonderful earthly father. God has blessed me through him, I give thanks for him often, and I honor him today. I hope you too honor your fathers this day.

But even the very best of earthly fathers is but a faint image of our heavenly Father, who is the source of all life, all blessings, all goodness. Let us thank and honor Him, today and every day.