Creekside Church || Wasilla, AK
12.17.23 || THE GIFT OF JESUS...EVERLASTING FATHER
Weekly Sermon Notes
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Creekside Church || Wasilla, AK
2201 S Knik-Goose Bay Rd, Wasilla, AK 99654, USA
Wednesday 9:00 AM
Wednesday 11:00 AM
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The Gift of Jesus...EVERLASTING FATHER || Week 3
INTRODUCTION...
Thoughts about my dad, Cecil Garner
Thoughts about my dad, Cecil Garner
KEY THOUGHT…
“Because Jesus acts toward us as an Everlasting Father, we will be safe and satisfied forever. This is the PEACE we have to make it through today, and it is the HOPE that we have for a promising future with him, forever!”
“Because Jesus acts toward us as an Everlasting Father, we will be safe and satisfied forever. This is the PEACE we have to make it through today, and it is the HOPE that we have for a promising future with him, forever!”
ISAIAH 9:2,6-7
“2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
“2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
A. THE RIGHT AND WRONG IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD "FATHER"...
--> WHAT BEING OUR EVERLASTING FATHER DOESN’T MEAN
Jesus being the Everlasting Father≠He isGod the Father
--> We touched on this briefly last week but some things to note…
1) we believe the Bible teaches that God exists as one God but in three distinct personalities/persons…TheTrinity…God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
2) They are all equally God but have different roles as they relate to one another || KEY: we don’t have to fully understand it to believe it (by faith) ||
3 Bible passages…
a. Jesus’ Baptism || MATTHEW 3:16-17 … “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
b. Jesus prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit || JOHN 14:16-17“16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…”
c. Jesus’ last words, the Great Commission || Matthew 28:19-20
“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus being the Everlasting Father≠He isGod the Father
--> We touched on this briefly last week but some things to note…
1) we believe the Bible teaches that God exists as one God but in three distinct personalities/persons…TheTrinity…God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
2) They are all equally God but have different roles as they relate to one another || KEY: we don’t have to fully understand it to believe it (by faith) ||
3 Bible passages…
a. Jesus’ Baptism || MATTHEW 3:16-17 … “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
b. Jesus prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit || JOHN 14:16-17“16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…”
c. Jesus’ last words, the Great Commission || Matthew 28:19-20
“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
--> WHAT BEING OUR EVERLASTING FATHER DOES MEAN
…It means that Jesus acts in a Fatherly way towards us…
--> We will unpack this in more detail in the next section, but a couple of obvious things to address upfront…
1) We might have a problem with the idea of “Father” given our experience WITH our earthly Fathers || some good fathers, some bad fathers, all of us will or have experienced our fathers disappointing us, failing us, leaving us eventually
2) We might have a problem with the idea of “Father” given our own experience AS fathers || we have failed, sinned, disappointed our kids
—> If we are not careful we might superimpose our own experiences or beliefs about God instead of believing what is true about him as taught to us in His Word. We have to believe what we read to be true about him even if our experience taints our definition one way or the other
…It means that Jesus acts in a Fatherly way towards us…
--> We will unpack this in more detail in the next section, but a couple of obvious things to address upfront…
1) We might have a problem with the idea of “Father” given our experience WITH our earthly Fathers || some good fathers, some bad fathers, all of us will or have experienced our fathers disappointing us, failing us, leaving us eventually
2) We might have a problem with the idea of “Father” given our own experience AS fathers || we have failed, sinned, disappointed our kids
—> If we are not careful we might superimpose our own experiences or beliefs about God instead of believing what is true about him as taught to us in His Word. We have to believe what we read to be true about him even if our experience taints our definition one way or the other
B. WHAT IT MEANS THAT JESUS IS OUR ‘EVERLASTING FATHER’…
--> As an EVERLASTING FATHER…What does EVERLASTING MEAN?
--> It means that Jesus is eternal…in all of his ways…
a. CHILD/SON…In the same verse it says that the Messiah will be born to us as a child (God in the flesh)…but he has also existed eternally as the Son…so in this way it means he has always existed, eternally
b. Jesus the Messiah is eternal…never ending in his role and in his reign…both in the past and in the present and in the future…HEB 13:8“8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
c. In a world where nothing is very stable or consistent, with people, things…I find it very comforting to be told that Jesus is everlasting…
--> It means that Jesus is eternal…in all of his ways…
a. CHILD/SON…In the same verse it says that the Messiah will be born to us as a child (God in the flesh)…but he has also existed eternally as the Son…so in this way it means he has always existed, eternally
b. Jesus the Messiah is eternal…never ending in his role and in his reign…both in the past and in the present and in the future…HEB 13:8“8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
c. In a world where nothing is very stable or consistent, with people, things…I find it very comforting to be told that Jesus is everlasting…
--> As an EVERLASTING FATHER…What does FATHER MEAN?
--> …In Jesus’ eternal existence…he always acts FATHERLY towards us…
--> …In Jesus’ eternal existence…he always acts FATHERLY towards us…
1. Unlike earthly fathers who might be unloving towards us…Jesus will never act UNLOVING toward us…As our EVERLASTING FATHER…Jesus will always CARE FOR US
1 Peter 5:7
“7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
--> HOW IS HE CARING FOR US?
A. By Giving us a planet that sustains our lives
Hebrews 1:3 “he upholds the universe by the word of his power”
B. By Praying for us constantly
Romans 8:34 “34 …Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Hebrews 7:25 “…he always lives to make intercession for them.”
C. By giving us the Holy Spirit
John 14:16-17,26 “16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
1 Peter 5:7
“7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
--> HOW IS HE CARING FOR US?
A. By Giving us a planet that sustains our lives
Hebrews 1:3 “he upholds the universe by the word of his power”
B. By Praying for us constantly
Romans 8:34 “34 …Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Hebrews 7:25 “…he always lives to make intercession for them.”
C. By giving us the Holy Spirit
John 14:16-17,26 “16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
2. Unlike our earthly fathers, Jesus will never act in an ABUSIVE OR HARMFUL way toward us…As our EVERLASTING FATHER…Jesus will always PROTECT US
...Now, that doesn’t mean we won’t experience difficulty, pain, danger…
- Job
- Jesus to Peter…LUKE 22:31-32 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
- Paul’s Troubles…2 Cor 11:24-30“24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”
-- So don’t think that because you are experiencing pain or trouble that Jesus is not protecting you…His main objective is your soul!!
--> HOW IS HE PROTECTING US?
A. Jesus saves to the ‘UTTERMOST’
Hebrews 7:25 “25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
- The word "uttermost" carries the idea of both fullness and finality: Jesus is able to save completely, and he is able to save forever.
- I believe it is important to emphasize what it means that Jesus protects us…ultimately it is in regards to our salvation…obviously there are times he protects us from physical dangers, demonic attacks…but it is also clear that sometimes God allows difficulty, pain, dangers, calamities, even physical death to occur…while we don’t understand how all of it works…it is important to place our trust in his ways, his plans, and realize that ultimately his protection is an eternal one
B. Jesus is our ADVOCATE
1 JOHN 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
- Jesus protects us right now by being our defense attorney before God…he holds us, protects us and defends us so that our salvation, forgiveness is eternally secured
...Now, that doesn’t mean we won’t experience difficulty, pain, danger…
- Job
- Jesus to Peter…LUKE 22:31-32 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
- Paul’s Troubles…2 Cor 11:24-30“24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”
-- So don’t think that because you are experiencing pain or trouble that Jesus is not protecting you…His main objective is your soul!!
--> HOW IS HE PROTECTING US?
A. Jesus saves to the ‘UTTERMOST’
Hebrews 7:25 “25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
- The word "uttermost" carries the idea of both fullness and finality: Jesus is able to save completely, and he is able to save forever.
- I believe it is important to emphasize what it means that Jesus protects us…ultimately it is in regards to our salvation…obviously there are times he protects us from physical dangers, demonic attacks…but it is also clear that sometimes God allows difficulty, pain, dangers, calamities, even physical death to occur…while we don’t understand how all of it works…it is important to place our trust in his ways, his plans, and realize that ultimately his protection is an eternal one
B. Jesus is our ADVOCATE
1 JOHN 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
- Jesus protects us right now by being our defense attorney before God…he holds us, protects us and defends us so that our salvation, forgiveness is eternally secured
3. Unlike our earthly fathers, Jesus will never LEAVE or ABANDON us… As our EVERLASTING FATHER…Jesus is always WITH/NEAR to us and will always PROVIDE FOR US
--> HOW DO WE KNOW JESUS IS WITH US AND PROVIDING FOR US?
A. He promises he will be with us always
MT 28:20 “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- He said he would accomplish that by sending us the Holy Spirit…which he did (Acts 2)…(it is good for me to go away…)(omnipresent)
B. He promises to meet our every need
MT 6:25-34a “25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself…”
--> HOW DO WE KNOW JESUS IS WITH US AND PROVIDING FOR US?
A. He promises he will be with us always
MT 28:20 “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- He said he would accomplish that by sending us the Holy Spirit…which he did (Acts 2)…(it is good for me to go away…)(omnipresent)
B. He promises to meet our every need
MT 6:25-34a “25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself…”
KEY THOUGHT…
“Because Jesus acts toward us as an Everlasting Father, we will be safe and satisfied forever. This is the PEACE we have to make it through today, and it is the HOPE that we have for a promising future with him, forever!”
“Because Jesus acts toward us as an Everlasting Father, we will be safe and satisfied forever. This is the PEACE we have to make it through today, and it is the HOPE that we have for a promising future with him, forever!”
COMMUNION REFLECTION AND PRAYER...
-- GAL 4:4-6…4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
- As sons/daughters…we are an heir of God…adopted into his family…maybe today you just need to praise him and thank him that you are no longer a slave or an enemy of God but that you have been adopted into his family, redeemed by the precious life and death of Jesus…
- Maybe today is the day you have a “Change of mind” about the idea of FATHER as that term relates to Jesus…and maybe even God the Father…given your earthly experience…to let go of the negative definitions you have given to that word because of your past experience and to believe what we have read and learned today…Jesus acts in a perfectly fatherly way towards us…and there is peace and hope in that truth today
- Maybe today is the day that you Forgive your earthly dads for all of their shortcomings…running to Jesus now as the perfect savior who acts perfectly fatherly toward us…turning to our Heavenly Father and allowing him to be exactly what you need
- Maybe today you need to accept the Fatherly Love that Jesus has towards you today…
--- Jesus cares for you
--- Jesus protects you
--- Jesus is with you and will provide for your needs
-- GAL 4:4-6…4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
- As sons/daughters…we are an heir of God…adopted into his family…maybe today you just need to praise him and thank him that you are no longer a slave or an enemy of God but that you have been adopted into his family, redeemed by the precious life and death of Jesus…
- Maybe today is the day you have a “Change of mind” about the idea of FATHER as that term relates to Jesus…and maybe even God the Father…given your earthly experience…to let go of the negative definitions you have given to that word because of your past experience and to believe what we have read and learned today…Jesus acts in a perfectly fatherly way towards us…and there is peace and hope in that truth today
- Maybe today is the day that you Forgive your earthly dads for all of their shortcomings…running to Jesus now as the perfect savior who acts perfectly fatherly toward us…turning to our Heavenly Father and allowing him to be exactly what you need
- Maybe today you need to accept the Fatherly Love that Jesus has towards you today…
--- Jesus cares for you
--- Jesus protects you
--- Jesus is with you and will provide for your needs