#4/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby Stockwell Road MBC
December 20, 2009 MW
“EVERLASTING FATHER”
Isaiah 9:6
INTRODUCTION:
A. Every single one of us in this room has or has had an earthly father. Some of us had good fathers while others had bad fathers. There may be some who don’t even know who their father is but I can say this with 100% assurance…each of us has the opportunity to have a Heavenly Father!
B. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear that the Messiah would be no ordinary man. Not a mere political or military leader; not the king of an earthly dominion, or a general to lead his people in conquest over the nations of this world. And far more than a common teacher or prophet; there had been dozens of those in Israel’s history. No, the Messiah would be absolutely unique; something never before seen in the history of the world. He would be God in the flesh, God become man. God, with all his power, and might, and wisdom, and glory; yet somehow fully revealed in the person of a male human being. Matthew’s account of the Christmas story reveals in 1:23, “…they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
C. This title is one that Jesus owned, during His ministry, more than the others. In John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” 14:9, “…he that hath seen me hath seen the father…” also Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” This title literally means the, “Father of Eternity” and we would do well to consider our eternity. We put a lot of thought into a career that we will do for 40-50 years but eternity is a place where we will be forever. We all had friendships that have come and gone but we are offered a relationship with our Heavenly Father that will last beyond the grave! What is your relationship with the Heavenly Father like? Is it like your relationship with your earthly father? In some cases that may be fine but in many cases it isn’t. Many times that relationship gets strained and sometimes can cease to exist. In some cases death has taken your father away and he isn’t around. All of those things and many more all go away when we speak of our Heavenly Father and here is why!
BODY:
I. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IS PERSONAL “For unto us…”
Note: Remember the words, “unto us” are mentioned twice in this verse. This Everlasting Father wants to be our father and He is near! He isn’t some far away God that is in outer space or in another country. He stands knocking on the door of our hearts, He is constantly declaring himself to be God! He sees you as an individual…He doesn’t care about nationality, education level, financial status or anything else…he is no respector of persons!
A. The Problem of Sin—a gap
B. The Priority of the Soveriegn—to build a bridge
C. The Passion of the Son—shed his blood, built the bridge
D. The Plan of Salvation—repentance and faith
II. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IS PERMANENT “Everlasting”
Note: The word, “everlasting” is used to describe Jesus! Many think that Jesus only existed during New Testament times but this is wrong. According to John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Furthermore you may well remember the old story of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace; how many went in? 3! And how many were seen? 4! What did the fourth look like? The Son of God! Jesus has always been and will always be! Our relationship with him is not a temporary thing! It is a permanent relationship!
A. Because of the Premise of Salvation—repentance, covenant
B. Because of the Promise of Salvation—eternal life
III. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IS PATERNAL “Father”
Note: When a young man is 14 he thinks his father is the most ignorant man in the world. But when the young man turns 21 he becomes amazed at how much his father learned in 7 years. The older we get the more we understand the advice of our parents. AS well meaning as our parents may be sometimes they allow selfishness to creep in and give bad advice. Thankfully we have a wonderful counseling mighty everlasting father to lean upon!
A. Our Father Gives Life—physical, spiritual
B. Our Father Gives Lessons—advice, the Word
C. Our Father Gives Love—unconditional
D. Our Father Gives Leadership—best example
CONCLUSION:
What a WONDERFUL Savior! What a wise COUNSELOR! What a MIGHTY God! What an EVERLASTING Father!
Do you know Him? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? Are you enjoying the fact that eternally you are safe! Do you listen to your Heavenly Father?
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