Everlasting Father

How many people have finished their shopping?

Did you hear about the guy who went out and bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas? His friend said, “I thought she wanted a new SUV?”

She did,” he replied. "But where am I gonna find a fake Jeep?”

The Bible has a wonderful phrase “from everlasting to everlasting.” For just a moment think about that phrase. That which this child brings will be from everlasting on this hand to everlasting on the other hand. It stretches the mind beyond where we can in any way comfortably go.

For those of you who want just a few more facts,

Everlasting Father = Abi-`ad

It’s actually a hyphenated word and it means pretty much what you imagine it means.

“Abi” = “Father.” (It’s the root from which we get the word, “Abbot,” for the chief father at a monastery, for instance.)

`ad = everlasting Or, eternal, or “unceasing in duration.

The child born in Bethlehem will be recognized as eternal – He had no beginning, He has no end. He existed before He came to earth, and He will exist forever. People were living in shaky times, so they wanted something they could cling to. (Is that you?) And people in shaky times want someone they can depend on – a father-figure, if you will. He said first, “The One who’s coming is everlasting.” In other words, “He’s eternal. He’s always existed and always will.”

I find in the scripture that Christ has always existed. Forever! Look with me at John chapter one.

“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” … “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-4; 14 (NKJV)

THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT THE WORLD IS DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR TODAY:

1. TIME

2. STABILITY, PREMANENCY

The child would bring a new dynamic of relationship into this world and this relationship would be an eternal / everlasting relationship. Over the years you and both have experienced relationships with people. As you mature you notice that relationships move and change with winds of time.

When Jesus comes into your life and becomes your friend you have a friend who is a friend forever. He doesn’t change! He doesn’t grow stale in his relationship with you. Time doesn’t effect how close He is to you. He doesn’t become uninterested in you and what is happening in your life! He is the same, yesterday, today and forever! There is wonderful permanency in our relationship with Jesus. This child who was to come would change forever the conditions and dynamic of relations.

We are going to look at three qualities of what Eternal Father means for us.

1. Christ’s CHARACTER does not change.

The contemporary Christian composer and artist Chris Tomlin’s song “Forever” is right on target in praising God as our Eternal Father for His goodness, faithfulness, love, and mercy. The words found in that song are:

Give thanks to the Lord

Our God and King

His love endures forever.

For He is good, He is above all things

His love endures forever.

From the rising to the setting sun

His love endures forever.

By the grace of God

We will carry on

His love endures forever.

Sing praise, sing praise.

Sing praise, sing praise.

Yeah!

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever.

Here is a fact. Jesus being part of the trinity - Jesus being God - means that the character of Jesus does not change. His mercy, His love, His grace, His forgiveness does not change – from the dawning of the day to the setting of the sun – His character does not change. From the beginning of time into eternity -Jesus’ character never alters. Look at what the Bible says in Hebrews chapter thirteen:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (HCSB)

Example: The Prodical Son

2. Christ’s COMPASSION does not change.

Throughout the gospels we find that Jesus was full of compassion.

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with COMPASSION for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (NKJV)

“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with COMPASSION, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Mark 1:40-41 (NKJV)