Three Aspects Of A Father

Three Aspects of a Father

VCC 10/1/95

Introduction

There are different seasons and times in natural and spiritual, now is a time for engathering, a time God wants to build the church

Acts 1--a time for waiting

Acts 2--a time of outpouring

Acts 5:14--adding to their number

Acts 5:17--persecution

God wants new births in the kingdom

It takes wisdom to build a house

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. (Proverbs 9:1, NIV).

God wants more than just people that can procreate, he wants men and women that can be fathers and mothers.

1 John 1:12-14

LITTLE CHILDREN--forgiven and know Father

YOUNG MEN--know enough to be dangerous.

James,John… Luke 9:54

1 John, John has developed into a father.

FATHERS--know the father, they know the heart of Father God and can be a father to those who come into the kingdom. (Jesus was THE spiritual father)

Matthew 5:45,48--be perfect (mature) even as Father is mature.

First ASPECT OF A FATHER:Humility

Jesus did nothing but what the Father showed him. He didn’t do his own thing. (John 5:30)

James 4:1-6, 10…brings grace

James 3:13…wise are humble, wisdom builds her house. And those who are wise men and women know that humility is a treasure to be sought after and obtained.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1Peter 5:5,6, NIV).

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2, NIV).

For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15, NIV).

Revival comes only with humility(see 2 Chron 7:14)

His presence comes with humility.

UNITY is easy if we have humility, impossible without it (James 4:1-6)

You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. (Psalms 18:27, NIV).

Second Aspect of a Father: Prayer

Jeus led such a prayer life that the disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. He prayed with strong cryings and tears, He travailed in prayer at the garden, he spent all night in prayer at times, he would rise early and get out of town to pray, he would leave the crowds to go in t he desert and pray.

This is an outflow of humility--our awareness of our need for God’s hand upon our lives.

Paul was a father in God.

1 Cor. 4:15

Gal. 4:19

1 Thess 2:7-12…mother and father

Prayer was how Paul accomplished so much.

Acts 16:25--at midnight in jail

1 Thess 3:10--night and day praying

2 Thess 2:11,12

Eph. 1:14ff, 3:14ff. He prayed for the church.

Monday morning,Wed and Thurs. prayer make the difference in a the church, and community.

Third Aspect of a Spiritual Father : Loves enough to deny himself to give to His children.

Jesus left heaven and gave his own blood for us because he loves us.

Paul

nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. (2Thessalonians 3:8, NIV).

1 Thess 2:7-12, as a father, mother, loving, working night and day to not be a burden.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Father God’s heart

Luke 11:13--Father’s heart is to give HS

Luke 12:32--Father delights in giving Kingdom

Mt. 6:26--He even takes care of fowls

Mt 16:29--not one falls to ground.

Mt. 5:45,48--He gives sun and rain to both righteous and unrighteous.

Luke 15: Parable of the Father’s heart. (Prodigal)

Note the difference between the father’s heart and the elder brother’s heart.

Those of us that attend church, have to be especially careful that we do not develop the elder brother syndrome.

You lose a bit of weight and everyone now looks fat.

Elder brother would not bring rain on just and unjust, he’d make them pay!