Our Fathers' Chastening

Our Fathers’ Chastening

June 19, 2016

- When I was growing up, I could ALWAYS count on my parents to

discipline me when I needed it, because they loved me

> If my parents disciplined me because they loved me, it makes sense

that, because of His love for me, God will discipline me when I need it

> Hopefully, Adam and Ashley will discipline Avery when he needs it!

- Today we will see that part of God’s will for us – His loving will – involves “chastening” when we sin

- Read Hebrews 12:5-11

A Word of Encouragement (vs.5a)

- Why speak on this topic on Father’s Day?

- It may not seem like it, but this passage is meant to be “encouraging”

- Greek “paraklesis” (par-ak’-lay-sis) = exhortation, admonition, encouragement

> To come along side for the purpose of the above

> Comes from the same root that we get “parakletos” (“comforter” in

reference to the Holy Spirit (Who comes alongside to encourage)

- This “word of encouragement” is addressed to the “sons” (and

daughters) of God (others need not listen!)

What is Chastening? (vs.5b)

- The word translated “discipline” in the NIV is the Greek word “paideia”

(pahee-di’-a) = chastening, nurture, instruction (occurs 6x’s in the NT)

- In children, it involves “the whole training and education which relates

to the cultivation of mind and morals” (according to one author)

- In adults, it involves “the cultivation of the soul, especially by correcting

mistakes and curbing passions” (according to the same author)

- It is discipline, instruction, or punishment with the goal of correcting sin

When God Chastens:

1. Do not make light of it (vs.5b-6)

- Don’t make light of it (as if it were not important or of any value)

- Don’t lose heart (or give up) because you think life (God) isn’t fair

- Because the Lord disciplines those He loves (What a great verse!)

- Because the Lord punishes (scourges) everyone he accepts as a son

2. Endure it (vs.7-8)

- Don’t try to get out of it

- God is treating you like a son (daughter)

- ¬All sons (children) are disciplined by their earthly father (or should be)

- Our heavenly Father disciplines (chastens) all of His children

- God’s chastening proves you are a “legitimate” child of His

3. Submit to it (vs.9)

- We respect our father (father of our flesh) for his discipline

> Maybe not at the time, but as we have grown older (our kids)

- We should all the more submit to the “Father of our spirit”

- By submitting to God’s discipline we will LIVE (enjoy real life)

4. Remember the purpose of it (vs.10-11)

- Our earthly father’s disciplined us for a reason

> They did it as they thought best and for our own good

> Three kinds of people who have a harder time with God’s discipline:

1. Those that had a father who disciplined with wrong motives

2. Those that had a father that did not discipline them

3. Those that did not have a father to discipline them

- God disciplines us for our own good

> God wants us to “share” in His holiness

> It doesn’t seem like it is for our good at the time

- It is unpleasant and painful at the time

> It wouldn’t be punishment or discipline if it weren’t painful

> I never let on if punishment wasn’t painful (just MORE punishment)

- There is a “harvest” that will be produced by those who are “trained” by

the Lord’s discipline (chastening)

> literally: “peaceable fruit of righteousness”

> “righteousness” = “right-likeness” of God

Application (Responding to God’s Chastening)

- God will NEVER abandon his children when we sin (Lam. 3:19-23)

- We must confess our sin and be restored in fellowship (I John 1:9-2:2)

> God will forgive our sins

> God will purify us from ALL unrighteousness (un-right-likeness)

- If (when) we do sin, Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense

- Are you enduring God’s chastening? Confess your sin to Him!