THOUGHTS FOR FATHER'S DAY
Ephesians Chapter Three and Verses Fourteen and Fifteen will be our launching pad
into some thoughts for Father's Day.
Note: All Scripture references are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).
Ephesians 3:14, 15: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,...
What is an appropriate approach to preparing yet another Father's Day message? Many thoughts come to mind: Should the good and bad father be discussed (i.e., Job and Eli)? One could explore the thought about who is a real father? Another approach might be to point out that genuine fatherhood is a rarity in this day of deceit. Finally, the subject of comparing and contrasting the fatherhood of God with the fatherhood of
man came to the forefront.
The over-arching premise now is that God is the epitome or ideal example of Fatherhood.
All are God's creatures, but all are not God's children. According to John 1:12
He is to be received--But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
We can observe the fatherhood of God in a four-fold way:
Heavenly Father is the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is the Father of Adam.
God is the Father of Mercies
God is the Father of all that are regenerated.
Heavenly Father is the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
In the days of His Flesh Christ often used the term Father. At age 12 Jesus informed His earthly parents that He was in the world to accomplish His Father's business.
As Christ approached death He expressed the same unbroken, intimate relationship in His committal to the Father's hands.
According to Luke 3:38 God is the father of Adam--Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God. Extending this thought that God is the father of Adam, Psalm 100:3 states: Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture. The J.F.B. Bible Commentary addresses Psalm 103--...this Psalm is a general call on all the earth to render exalted praise to God, the creator, preserver, and benefactor of men. From this comment we can properly deduce that God can, indeed, be seen as the father of men and women.
God is also the father of mercies. 2 Corinthians 1:3, Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;.... Through God the Father via Jesus Christ material and spiritual mercies are afforded the saints of God. David the "sweet psalmist of Israel" said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging for bread. What a merciful heavenly Father! The Father's kindnesses, graces, and His times of forebearances are marvelous enablements of grace that are extended to us by the Father via Jesus Christ.
Wordsworth wrote, "Father! to God we cannot give a holier name."
Now, God is the father of all them that are regenerated.
Thomas Manton, D. D. tells how God will Perform the parts of a father:
In allowing us full leave to come to Him in all our necessities.
In supplying all our wants (Isaiah 49:16, Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.)
In pitying our miseries. Many times we forget the duty of children, but God will not forget the mercy of a Father.
In disciplining us, and treating us with much indulgence, wisdom, and care. A father takes a great deal of pains in forming his child, fashioning its manners and behavior: so God doth with His children.
In providing able guardians for His children. None so attended as God's as God's children are. They have a guard of angels to watch over them.
In laying up an inheritance for them.
Having created and redeemed us, our heavenly Father delights in meeting all the needs of His children.Consider His providing of clothing as one example. Please note what the Holy Bible says about the subject.
(Isaiah 61:10 KJV) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.
(Philippians 4:19 KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(Revelation 19:8 KJV) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Addtionally, we are spiritually adorned with the graces of the Holy Spirit, including holiness.
Some concluding thoughts:
The most wonderful earthly fathers may have defects in their qualities.
With our heavenly Father are all perfections and excellencies of divine being.
According to Holy Scripture and personal empirical experience our divine Father--
controls it all
cares for us like no other
continues to love us with the agape type of love
can see our end from the beginning
courts our worship, praise, and alligence
commands us to be soul winners
contradicts the accusations of Satan made against us
converges with us in times of prayer, meditation, and fellowship
If you are an unbelieving father will you now ask Jesus into your heart? You and your children will be blessed.
Believing fathers please draw even closer to our heavenly Father.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
