## A Great Father

## Luke 8:40-42; 49-56

Today is Father's Day. This is a day set aside to honor fathers. Since I am one, and I had one. It is a good day for me. There are many men that the world regards as great. Kings and political powers that have kept the peace or conquered territory are considered great. Generals who have been great leaders on the battlefields are considered to be great. Athletes who have thrilled the spectators with their abilities are called great.

But this morning I want us to think about the view from above. Let's think about men who are considered great by God. These are men that are most likely unheard of by most of the world. I am talking about men who have come to faith in Christ; men who have been faithful to their wives; men who have been examples to their children. These are great men!

In the text I have chosen for this morning's message we have just such a man. His name was Jairus.

Now what is it that would qualify Jairus to be regarded as a great man, and more than that…a great father?

I. Jairus Did the Greatest Thing a Father Can Do (v. 41)

A. He came to Jesus.

1. Now that might not seem like much initially, but it will make all the difference in a family.

2. Much is made of deadbeat dads, abusive fathers, and the like.

3. Greatest abuse a man can do is to fail to lead his family spiritually.

4. You may not be all you need to be as a dad this morning, but come to Jesus and He will change your life!

5. As you allow Christ to change your life, He will, in turn, have an impact on your family.

B. Who was Jairus?

1. The Bible tells us he was a religious man.

2. He was a ruler of the synagogue, a respected leader in his community and among his people.

3. But that wasn't enough, and he recognized its deficiency.

4. Religion is of man, not of God.

5. Religion will send a man to hell and he will take his entire family with him.

C. What brought Jairus to Jesus?

1. A crisis at home…his daughter was dying.

2. This was something that he couldn't handle…his religion didn't offer him any relief at all.

3. He came to Jesus, humbly. "…he fell down at Jesus' feet…"

4. He begged Jesus to come to his house.

5. The greatest thing a father can do for his family is invite Jesus to come into his home.

D. What will it take to bring you to Jesus?

II. Jairus Demonstrated the Greatest Example of a Father's Love (v. 42)

A. He came to talk to Jesus about his child

1. I have seen some of the toughest, strongest men I have ever known…

2. Break down and cry like babies over their children.

3. You men who have daughters, you must have an idea of what Jairus was going through.

4. Those little girls who look up to their daddy and believe that he can do anything in the world…

5. If it is broke, he can fix it…

6. If it messed up, he can straighten it out…

B. The most privileged children in the world

1. Are those who have parents who will pray for them…

2. Parents who care about what happens to them…

3. Parents who will love and discipline them in accordance with God's Word.

C. Jairus was willing to put aside all of his own selfish pride and come to Christ on behalf of his little girl.

III. Jairus Faced the Greatest Test of a Father's Faith (vv. 49-56)

A. He had to wait on God.

1. Before Jesus responded to his request, another in need reached out to Christ.

2. Can you picture what happens?

3. Another took Jesus' attention.

4. The woman with the issue of blood had touched the hem of His garment.

5. As Jesus dealt with this woman's need, Jairus had to wait.

6. Most of us do not wait well…especially we men.

7. But the Lord knew what He was doing.

B. It seemed he had waited too long.

1. While observing the conversation between Jesus and the woman he must have been encouraged.

2. Here he was privileged to observe a miracle of healing…the exact thing that he desired of the Lord for his little girl.

3. But then a servant arrived with horrible news.

4. "Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master"

5. What do you think went through his mind at that moment?

a. I can only speculate, but I can imagine all sorts of emotions welled up within him.

b. Grief over the loss of his little girl; anger over the interruption by the woman; and regret that he hadn't come to Jesus sooner.

c. But before he could act upon any of these emotions…Jesus spoke wonderful words of encouragement.

C. Listen to His words.

1. "Fear not; believe only"

2. How could Jairus have faith?

a. Everything he counted dear to him was gone.

b. His little girl was dead…but Jesus was telling him to believe.

c. Faith is believing when it seems totally impossible to believe.

3. His faith was turned to reality as he and his wife watched as the Savior took their little girl by the hand and brought her back from death.

a. You see that is what Jesus does best.

b. He is the giver of life…

(Rom 6:23b) "…The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

c. Eternal life is only available through Jesus Christ, there is no other way.

This morning, we have looked at a great father in Jairus. He was great because he did the greatest thing a father can do…he came to Jesus. He was great because he demonstrated a Father's love for his child. He was great because of his faith in Jesus Christ.

Although this world may never consider you to be great…from God's perspective we can be. Will you come to Jesus Christ today? Will you love your children enough to intercede on their behalf? Will your faith stand the test that a crisis will bring? Jesus said, "Fear not, only believe…"

Come today and place your faith in Jesus Christ. Come today and surrender to be what God would have you to be. Come today by faith in Jesus Christ, believing His Word.