A Good Dad Series

A Good Dad

“face to Face” Sermon series

June 17th 2007 / Father’s Day

Intro: We are starting a new sermon series this morning called “face to Face”

There isn’t any better way to communicate than “face to face” We have continually made new ways to communicate over the years; we have, Letter writing then came telegraph, telephone, then cordless phones, cell phones, email, I.M and T.M. (If you don’t know what those last two are you need to spend more time with teenagers.)

But no form of communication is better than face to face, having eye contact and undivided, undistracted and unveiled communication.

The guest speakers at that Pastoral Couple retreat Tina and attended, recommended couples have “face time.” Time twice per day, at least 5minutes each, where you’re not even sitting side-by-side, but actually face-to-face.

Have you ever considered coming face to Face with God? But how do we do that?

How can anyone see God?

Moses did,

Exodus 33:11 “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”

Paul spoke about it,

1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

Philip asked for to see,

John 14:8 “Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9Jesus answered: "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

Hebrews explains it,

Hebrews 1:1 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

The Bible says if you want to get to know God, you look at Jesus. If you want to understand what God is like, study Jesus. If you want to get close to God, get close to Jesus.

I’ve selected (5) people from the Gospel narratives that came “face to Face.”

Some of these Characters will be familiar, others not so much. But all of their stories are Divinely recorded in the Bible, so that we may gain a glimpse of God for ourselves. We can identify with these people and ultimately, confidently come face to Face ourselves.

This morning we will be learning from Mark’s Gospel chapter 9. Here we see a Good dad, bringing his troubled son to Jesus.

Text: Mark 9:14-27 “When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. 17A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." 19"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 20So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21Jesus asked the boy’s father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. 22"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." 23" ’If you can’?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 25When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." 26The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He’s dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

I. A good Dad stays close

a. He was there to pull his son out of trouble

This man tells Jesus that the Demon often tries to kill his son. Someone is there to pull him out? Who do you think that person is? I think it’s the Dad.