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Film 'Fences': Son Doubts His Father's Love

In the movie Fences (originally a play written by August Wilson), Denzel Washington plays Troy Maxson, a 53-year-old man who works for the sanitation department. When Troy's teenaged son Cory asks him "[Dad] how come you ain't ever liked me?" the following conversation ensues:

Troy: Liked you? Who the [heck] say I got to like you? What law is there say I got to like you?
Don't you eat every day?
Cory looks down.
Troy: Answer me when I talk to you! Don't you eat every day?
Cory: Yeah.
Troy: As long as you in my house, you put that sir on the end of it when you talk to me!
Cory: Yes, sir.
Troy: You eat every day.
Cory: Yessir!
Troy: Got a roof over your head.
Cory: Yessir!
Troy: Got clothes on your back.
Cory: Yessir.
Troy: Why you think that is?
Cory: 'Cause of you. 'Cause you like me.
Troy: Like you? You about the biggest fool I ever saw. It's my job. It's my responsibility! You understand that? A man got to take care of his family. You live in my house, sleep your behind on my bedclothes, fill you belly up with my food 'cause you my son. You my flesh and blood. Not 'cause I like you! 'Cause it's my duty to take care of you. I owe a responsibility to you! Let's get this straight right here … before it go along any further … I ain't got to like you. [My boss] don't give me my money come payday 'cause he likes me. He gives me 'cause he owe me. I done give you everything I had to give you. I gave you your life! … Don't you try and go through life worrying about if somebody like you or not. You best be making sure they doing right by you. You understand what I'm saying, boy?
Cory: Yessir.

Possible Preaching Angles: God the Father doesn't just do his duty to take care of us. It's not just his job to take care of us. He actually loves us, and in and through Jesus Christ, he likes us, accepts us, and embraces us.

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