Description

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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").
5. 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.

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