What Kind of Gifts Are You Giving Your Children
Luke 11:11-13; Matthew 7:7-11
This is Father’s Day, a time set aside to honor and remember those our dads. Good or bad, our dads have played a vital role in our lives.
Today many Dads will receive gifts from those who love him. However, in this message, I want us to consider, not the gifts children give their dads, but the gifts every father should be giving to his children.
Jesus uses this short parable on prayer to illustrate what we can expect from our heavenly Father when we ask compared to what earthly fathers give to their sons and daughters.
I. A son’s PETITION (v. 11).
Sometimes our children ask for things that would be harmful to them. A wise and careful father will withhold those things that are dangerous or would hurt his child.
Each item the son requested in Jesus’ parable was a food item. These things were all needful and good for him.
A. Bread is a type of the Word of God that guides our lives (Ps. 119:105) and water that cleanses us (John 15:3; Eph. 5:26).
B. Fish was a main food staple of Jesus and His disciples—a type of daily sustenance. Fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids—essential nutrients keep our heart and brain healthy (“brain food” — reduces Alzheimer’s risk).
C. Eggs from earliest times were symbols of life. I remember how fascinated I was the first time I watched a baby chick emerge from an eggshell. Eggs are rich with nutrients like riboflavin, Vitamin B12 and B6, phosphorus, and lots of protein. Helps build muscles and keep you energized. This would make a son strong.
II. A father’s PROVISION (vs. 11-12).
A. These are things a wise father should provide for his children:
1. The bread of God’s Word to guide and keep them clean.
2. Fish to nourish their lives both physically and spiritually.
3. Eggs to strengthen and keep their lives energized for God.
B. What kind of a father would give his son a STONE when he asked for some bread… a SERPENT when he asked for a fish… a SCORPION when he asked for an egg?
1. A STONE—Worthless…Cold…lifeless…insensitive.
Partial Sermon: CLICK HERE for full PDF
