# Pastor Thuamminlian greeted and wished all those attending the service via YouTube and Zoom a Happy Fathers’ Day. Since it’s the first Sunday service conducted via Zoom, the Pastor briefed about how the service would take place in the upcoming Sundays. Then he led us in a word of prayer dedicating the service in the Lord’s hand.
#Dedication of offerings was done by Elder Ngulminthang.
#Pastoral prayer for all the Fathers was done by Pastor G Khankham.
#Sermon: Pastor Thuamminlian Guite
Topic: “The importance of a Father’s Faith”
Brief History of Fathers Day: A woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She thought that even the Fathers should be given the same respect as the Mothers and went through many ups and downs. Therefore, finally on June 19 1910, the third Sunday of June Father’s Day was celebrated for the first time and so from that day it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year.
We can find some instances from the Bible during Jesus’ time that shows that the sick were healed not because of their own faith but because of the faith of their caregiver or near ones. They are:
- Mark 2: 1-12: We find that Jesus was impressed by the faith of the four men that carried a paralyzed man to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith he immediately healed the paralyzed man.
- Luke 7: 1-10: We find that a Centurion’s servant was sick and about to die. He sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to heal his servant. Jesus went with them. When Jesus was not far from the house the centurion sent his friends to just say the word and his servant will be healed, he needn’t come. So, when Jesus heard this he was amazed at the great faith he had. Then the man who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
- Matthews 15: 22-28: We find that a Canaanite woman came to Jesus crying out to heal her daughter who is demon-possessed and suffering terribly. When Jesus asked her a question, her reply impressed Jesus so much that he even said that she had great faith and that her request was granted. And at that very moment her daughter was healed.
- A Father’s faith that saved his son’s life (John 4:43-54): There was a certain royal official in Cana in Galilee whose son lay sick at Capernaum. He was also eagerly waiting for Jesus’ arrival. He was desperate to heal his son that despite having a high social status and the resources to afford the best doctors and the best medical facilities, went down before Jesus and begged to Jesus addressing Him as ‘Sir’ and asked Him to go down with him before his son died. He took Jesus’ words and departed immediately. On knowing that his son was healed at that very moment, he and his whole household believed in Jesus. This was said to be the second sign or miracle performed by Jesus after coming from Judea to Galilee.
Here, it is very important to know what faith really means, it needs to have a strong foundation. It is easy to base our faith on our feelings or experiences; but important to base it on Jesus. As someone has written, “Faith is never about where you are, but who you turn to.” So, the question of who do we turn to? Or where do we base our faith? Is a very important question one needs to ask oneself?
From the above story about the father /royal official whose son was sick, we can see that this official’s faith in Jesus was gigantic. When we as believers say that we believe in Jesus or we have utmost faith in Him; we at times fail to give our 100%. Even then, like the royal official let us all choose Jesus rather than the riches of the world or the worldly healings and comforts. This official despite being a wealthy man with a high status in the society yet chose Jesus. Putting aside all his wealth and status, he surrendered himself completely to Jesus. By doing this his whole family was healed completely.
Let us, especially all the fathers out there today like this official put our faith in the one and ultimate solution; that is ‘Jesus’ for all our problems - be it physical, mental or spiritual or imprisonment of any kind. Let us all learn from this father on this Father’s Day to put our faith in Jesus first and turn to him then he will do the rest for us that too wonderful and lovely things for us. May the Lord bless us all!
#The service was concluded with benediction by Elder Goukhangin.
