August 24, 2008 Sermon Title:  Who’s Your Daddy? Reverend James (Jim) Langdoc, Pastor Scripture:  Isaiah 40:1-8; I John 4:7-12; Matthew 16:13-20        The scripture passage in I John 4:7-12 is God’s expression of love for us that draws us into communion with God, and is the core of Judeo-Christian faith.  God desires a relationship with every person.  We refer to ourselves as daughters and sons of God, and to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.  It is God’s initiative to love us first – to draw us into deep, loving relationships.        Some hear this message clearly, even regularly.  But some will likely never hear that good news.  And from time to time even those who have heard need a reminder and a word of encouragement and affirmation.  People need to hear from us, “I love you and I care for you.”  And we need it, too.  The good news of God’s uncompromising love -- whether it is said or heard for the first time or comes as a reminder -- is important.        In the gift of story, the wisdom of God in the scriptures takes root and grows. The following story - - rooted somewhere between truth and legend - - supposedly took place many years ago in Tennessee:        A professor from out of state went to a local restaurant to enjoy a quiet pleasant breakfast with his wife.  But they became distracted by a very distinguished looking man going from table to table, visiting with all the people in the restaurant.  The professor hoped he wouldn’t come to their table.  But, alas, the man came right up to them.  And after his “Good morning; it’s great to have you here,” he asked, “What to you do?”  When the professor told him he taught seminary students, the man surprised them by pulling up a chair, sitting down, and saying, “I have a story for you.”   Another preacher story, thought the professor.        See that mountain over there?, the man began.  A boy was born there to an unwed mother.  It wasn’t an easy life.  Now, one of the questions commonly asked any child was, “Who’s your Daddy?”  And that question hurt the little boy; so much so that he’d run away and hide to avoid the question.  When he was twelve years old a new preacher came to his church.  On the way out of church, the preacher put his hand on the boy’s shoulder, and as was the custom, he asked, “Son, who’s your Daddy?”  Utter quiet followed.  All eyes were on the boy.  Now everyone would finally know . . .  But the preacher sensed that something was wrong, and with discernment, said, “Wait a minute.   I know!  You are a child of God!  Go and claim your inheritance!”  The boy became a changed person.  From that time on, whenever anyone asked him “Who’s your Daddy?”, he would proudly answer:  “I am a child of God!”        As the man got up to leave, the professor had to admit it had been a better story than most.  Before he got out of earshot, the man turned back to the professor and said, “If that new preacher hadn’t told me who my real Daddy was, I might never have amounted to anything.”   [The distinguished man was later said to be none other than Ben Hooper, former governor of the State of Tennessee!]        Whether this story is fact or fiction, the truth is that someone you meet may need to be reminded that they, too, are a child of God.                                                                           (Back to Sermon Menu)