The Three B's

Objects: A belt, a ball, and a Bible

Theme: Father's Day

Scripture: If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?   Luke 11:11-13

Today is a very special day.  It is Father's Day.  I am sure that all of you gave your fathers a nice gift and a Father's Day card this morning.  This is the day when we tell our father that we love him and say, "Thank you" for all of the things he does for us each day.

I was thinking of my father today.  Even though he is now in heaven with Jesus, I still have wonderful memories of him.  I have three things this morning that remind me of my father.  All of these things start with the letter B and remind me of something that my father did for me when I was growing up.

The first "B" that reminds me of my father is a belt.  I am sure that you can guess why the belt reminds me of my father.  There were times when I was a little boy that I did some things that I wasn't supposed to do. When that happened, I sometimes got a spanking.  I know that this isn't a very popular form of discipline today, and I would never want to see any child abused, but there are times when we need discipline, and I am glad that I had a father who loved me enough to discipline me when I needed it.

The second "B" is that reminds me of my father is a ball.  When I was a boy, my father and I used to go out in the yard and play ball together.  My father always took the time to do special things with me.  Some fathers get too busy and never seem to have time to do things with their children.  I am glad that I had a father who loved me enough to take the time to do things with me.

The third "B" that reminds me of my father is the Bible.  The Bible reminds me of my father because he read the Bible to me and taught me about God's love and about how Jesus died on the cross for my sins.  Of all the things my father did for me, this was the most important.  I am glad that I had a father who loved me enough to teach me about God's love.

I hope that you have a father who loves you enough to discipline you when you need it.  One who will take the time to play with you.  Most of all, I hope that you have a father who loves you enough to teach you about God's love.  If you do, be sure to thank God for him today.

Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for our earthly fathers.  Help us this day to show our love and appreciation to ourfathers, and may we always remember to show our love for you, our heavenly Father.   Amen.

Note: I have received some questions concerning the reference to the use of a belt as a form of discipline. I know that there are differing opinions concerning the use of corporal punishment. My personal view closely agrees with that of Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family. I have respect for the views of others, and I realize that some may teach children who have been physically abused by their parents, so use your own judgement regarding the use of this sermon.