Scripture References: (Implicit Themes: Romans 8:28, Galatians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Prodigal Son narrative)
Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: My Father's Son: A Story of Redemption and Restoration)
- Happy Father's Day – honoring earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father.
- Gratitude for the church community's welcome and for family.
- Sharing a personal testimony of God's faithfulness through a life journey marked by unexpected turns, joys, and deep sorrow.
Key Points:
- Early Fatherhood & Worldly Pursuits:
- Became a father at 16, facing shame and the intense challenges of school, work, and pursuing a rock-and-roll dream without knowing Jesus.
- Encountering Jesus:
- Met future wife, Joyce, while living a compromised life.
- Intrigued and convicted by the different life of a Christian bandmate (Don Garber).
- Led to personal conversion alongside Joyce; experienced immediate life change and a hunger for God's Word.
- Ministry, Opposition & Son's Salvation:
- Transitioned from secular clubs to Christian ministry. Co-founded Christian metal band Bloodgood.
- Experienced God opening doors for global ministry, seeing lives saved and healed, despite facing significant opposition.
- Witnessed his son, Jeff, come to faith through the ministry.
- Grief & Trusting God's Sovereignty:
- Faced the sudden, tragic death of son Jeff at age 48.
- Wrestled with intense grief and prayed for resurrection, but ultimately accepted Jeff was with Jesus and trusted God's timing and goodness, even in immense pain ("God doesn't make mistakes").
- Restoration & Identity as Sons:
- Needed personal healing and restoration, particularly concerning identity as a father.
- God guided him to volunteer with toddlers in the church nursery ("Grandpa Les").
- Found profound healing and purpose in loving and blessing the little children, reaffirming God's love and his identity as a valued son of God. We are all sons and daughters of the King.
Conclusion:
- God faithfully works through all of life's circumstances – the rebellious choices, the unexpected conversions, the ministry highs, the devastating losses – for His glory and our ultimate good.
- He restores our brokenness and affirms our true identity as His beloved children, heirs through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live this reality.
Call to Action:
- Reflect on God's hand in your own life story – where have you seen His guidance, provision, redemption, or restoration?
- Embrace your identity as a son or daughter of the Most High God.
- If you are carrying grief or feel broken, ask God for His healing path, which may involve serving others.
- Live confidently as a child of the King, filled with His Spirit.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
Please notify us if you find any errors.
Activity