My Son Wouldn't Listen...

My sermon notes following the week after he preached on the subject... My Dad Would Not Help Me.

"It is good to be with you today. I understand that Phil preached last week on the subject," “My Dad Wouldn’t Help Me.”

It’s true, I would not always come to his rescue or fix the problems he encountered whether he created them or not.

Having given thought to what he preached “My Dad Wouldn’t Help Me.” I am going to preach today on: “My Son Wouldn’t Listen.”

My response to this message is not to defend myself but to set the record straight. It is very scriptural. Jesus said, “You have heard it said, but I say unto you.”

The truth is there would have been fewer problems for Phil to deal with if he had listened to me in the first place. But of course who wants to say, “I told you so.”

I do agree that crises and problems happen sometimes with no rhyme or reason, but we probably bring them on more than we want to admit. Either by: DOING WHAT I SHOULDN’T DO. (or) NOT DOING WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE.

I have not completely conquered or perfected this. Now don’t get me wrong Philip was not a bad boy or difficult teenager. He was fairly normal. (note fairly) But I truly am amazed at how much different our views or recollection of stories and family happenings were even to this day.

The day he joined the Army, I remember how proud his mother and I were when he sat us down and told us that he needed some more time for growth and maturity before he entered the ministry, so he thought it would be a good idea for him to join the Army. He was seeking our blessing and we were so proud of him.

Now on the other hand Phil only remembers his mother and I calling him in and setting him down and informing him that he could no longer live at home, and we thought the Army would be a good choice for a vocation until he knew fully what he wanted to do with his life.

Strangely, He remembered hearing what I didn’t remember saying, and I remember saying what he didn’t remember hearing.

But the bottom line is that HEARING, LISTENING, and OBEYING have both BENEFITS and CONSEQUENCES. By the way, Phil did learn how to listen. THE ARMY, THE LORD, AND WHAT I LATER TAUGHT HIM enabled him to be a good husband, a good dad, and a good pastor today.