Who's Your Daddy?

INCONSISTENT CLAIMS - “ABRAHAM IS OUR FATHER” Verses 39-41a

They claimed a linage to Abraham as their ticket to heaven. A Godly heritage can be a powerful influence, but never guarantees righteousness.

They were really interested in honoring themselves, not Abraham. Jesus wanted them to see that they could be his descendants and lack his spirit.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:21-22

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matthew 3:8-9

ILLEGITEMATE CLAIMS - “WE HAVE ONE FATHER, EVEN GOD” Verses 41b-43

In writing up his resume for a full-time job, an applicant described his summer job as purchasing, being responsible for the accuracy of the daily cash transactions, and maintaining the morale, alertness and well-being of the entire office staff. Actually—he went to Starbucks for the coffee.

Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words, And honor Me with their lips, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, Isaiah 29:13

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

"Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. "Many will say to Me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ "And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you; depart from me, you who work lawlessness..’ Matthew 7:21-23

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God 1 John 5:1

INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE - “YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL” Verses 43-47

“Unfortunately, the world Christian has lost a great deal of significance over the centuries and no longer means ‘one who has turned from sin, trusted Jesus Christ, and received salvation by grace.’ Many people who have never been born again consider themselves ‘Christians’ simply because they say they are not ‘pagans.’ After all, they belong to a church, attend services somewhat regularly, and even occasionally give to the

work of the church! But it takes repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins on the cross and rose again to give us eternal life.” - Warren Wiersbe

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 3:10

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you… Malachi 1:6

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephesians 2:2

CLOSING: A RELIGION OR A RELATIONSHIP?

HE THAT IS OF GOD HEARS GOD’S WORDS: YE THEREFORE HEAR THEM NOT, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF GOD.

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1 John 5:1

Do you want a load to weigh you down or a love to lift you up?

Do you want impossible rules that do you no good or an impeccable relationship that does the impossible?

Do you want God’s wrath and condemnation or His grace and mercy?

Do you want a religion that leads to nowhere but eternal death, or a relationship that leads to eternal life?