My Father And Your Father Series

1. The Growth of Dads

Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years." The same idea comes across as we look at God. The longer we are in our relationship with him, the more we recognize his wisdom and greatness.

2. Matthew 6.9a

3. As Yeshua (Jesus) teaches us to pray, we become more and more aware that God is not merely some mysterious force or power, but He is a Being of Greatness who invites us into his presence by coming to us

a. He could have used several names to address God such as:

1) Adonai (Eloheinu Melech Ha Olam)

2) Elohim

3) YHWH

b. He chose for us to use “Father”

4. Consider some implications of this word

I. There is a Matter of Identity

A. Identity of God – Our Father in Heaven

1. There is a Supernatural Element to God

2. There are scores of other places in the Bible also where God is described, and indeed describes Himself, in the terms of fatherhood.

a. Psalm 68:5 - “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God...” cf. James 1.27

b. Psalm 103:13 - “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”

c. Isaiah 63:16 - “You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.”

d. Matthew 7:9-11 - Jesus said: “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

e. John 20:17 - After He rose from the dead, Jesus told Mary to go to His disciples and tell them he was alive and he said, “I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

3. Distinct from earthly fathers – Honor Father and Mother; Father do not provoke your children

4. “Heaven” can be a Substitution for God – Kingdom of Heaven; Here Yeshua (Jesus) does NOT substitute but speaks openly of GOD

B. Identity of Man

Maybe we are like the little boy who came running into the kitchen one day after school and asked his mom the big question, “Mom, where did I come from?” Her face flushed, she stammered, and finally after a few false starts began the dreaded “birds and bees” talk with her seven-year-old. Her son stood their wide-eyed, soaking up every word. Finally, she stopped and asked, “Now do you have any questions?” “Yes. That’s all very interesting. But there’s a new boy in my class. He said he came from Cleveland. I just wanted to know where I came from.”

1. The Lord’s Prayer deals with where did you come from? Are you a product of chance or a special creation of the living God? More than that, once having determined that you are not just a result of chance, how do you relate to your maker? Is he distant or close? Is he loving or cruel? Does he care or are you on your own? Do you want to know him or would you rather he keep his distance. To pray “Our Father which are art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” answers that question.

2. In Our Identity we Recognize that We have Responsibility to God –

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ Malachi 1.6

Do you thus requite the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Deuteronomy 32.6

II. There is a Matter of Relationship – OUR Father

A. Our Relationship with Our God Implies A Return to the First and Second Commandments

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22.34-39