Embracing Fatherhood: Our Identity and Obedience in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we celebrate Father's Day, recognizing the significant role of fathers. Charles Spurgeon once said that fatherhood is as much a service to God as leading an army in battle. This calling, though weighty, draws us into deeper communion with our Heavenly Father. Our identity is not primarily in our fatherhood but in being children of God. This identity allows us to pour out love to our families. Fatherhood, like all aspects of life, is marred by sin, bringing both joy and sorrow. Yet, we bring all these experiences to Jesus, who shepherds us through them.
We also honored our graduating seniors today, celebrating their achievements and praying for their future. I shared my love for the show "Bluey," particularly the episode "Shadowlands," which illustrates the importance of rules. Just as the rules in the game make it enjoyable, God's commands are given not to restrict us but to lead us to true joy and life. John, in his letter, emphasizes that true life is found in obeying God's commands. Obedience to God is not about restriction but about flourishing.
John addresses the reality of sin and disobedience. When we sin, Jesus is our advocate and propitiation, absorbing the punishment for our sins and standing with us. This means we don't need to turn inward in shame or outward in defensiveness but upward to Jesus, who advocates for us. Obedience matters because it is the evidence of our faith in Jesus. Saying we follow Jesus without seeking to obey Him is a lie. True obedience comes from abiding in Christ, allowing Him to transform us from within.
Abiding in Christ means remaining in His presence, making Him our emotional home. This leads to a life that naturally produces the fruit of the Spirit. We must add practices that draw us closer to Jesus and subtract distractions that pull us away. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to abundant life through obedience. As we come to the Lord's table, let it be a reminder that our strength to obey comes from Christ. We are nourished and empowered by Him to walk the path of obedience.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fatherhood as a Divine Calling: Fatherhood is a significant and weighty calling that draws us into deeper communion with our Heavenly Father. Our primary identity is not in being fathers but in being children of God, which allows us to love and serve our families out of the overflow of God's love for us. [12:31]
2. The Purpose of God's Commands: God's commands are not meant to restrict our joy but to lead us into true life and flourishing. Just as the rules in a game make it enjoyable, God's instructions are designed to help us experience the fullness of life He created us for. [36:33]
3. Jesus as Our Advocate and Propitiation: When we sin, Jesus stands as our advocate and propitiation, absorbing the punishment for our sins and standing with us. This means we don't need to turn inward in shame or outward in defensiveness but upward to Jesus, who advocates for us before the Father. [45:55]
4. The Evidence of True Faith: Obedience to God's commands is the evidence of our faith in Jesus. Saying we follow Jesus without seeking to obey Him is a lie. True followers of Jesus seek to conform their lives to His instructions and commands, even if imperfectly. [53:40]
5. Abiding in Christ for True Obedience: True obedience comes from abiding in Christ, allowing Him to transform us from within. Abiding means remaining in His presence, making Him our emotional home, and allowing His Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. [01:01:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:31] - The Weighty Calling of Fatherhood
[13:35] - Bringing Joys and Sorrows to Jesus
[14:39] - Prayer for Fathers
[16:25] - True Identity in Christ
[27:19] - Honoring Graduating Seniors
[33:48] - Lessons from Bluey: The Importance of Rules
[36:33] - God's Commands Lead to True Life
[38:16] - The Challenge of Obedience
[45:55] - Jesus as Our Advocate
[48:57] - Avoiding Shame and Defensiveness
[51:53] - The Evidence of True Faith
[53:40] - The Disconnect of Self-Identification
[56:33] - The Weight of Obedience
[59:37] - How to Walk in Obedience
[01:01:05] - Abiding in Christ for True Obedience
[01:04:10] - The Fruit of Abiding in Christ
[01:10:24] - The Gospel Invitation of Obedience
[01:11:45] - Practical Steps to Abide in Christ
[01:14:29] - Subtraction: Removing Distractions
[01:16:00] - Jesus, Our Good Shepherd
[01:17:31] - Coming to the Lord's Table
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 John 2:1-6 (ESV)
> "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
### Observation Questions
1. What does John say is the purpose of his writing in 1 John 2:1? How does he address the issue of sin? [42:34]
2. According to 1 John 2:3-4, what is the evidence that someone truly knows Jesus? [51:53]
3. How does John describe Jesus' role when we sin, according to 1 John 2:1-2? [45:55]
4. What does it mean to "abide in Christ" as described in 1 John 2:6? How is this connected to obedience? [01:01:05]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our primary identity as children of God influence our roles and responsibilities, such as fatherhood? [12:31]
2. In what ways do God's commands lead to true life and flourishing, as illustrated by the "Shadowlands" episode from Bluey? [36:33]
3. How does Jesus being our advocate and propitiation change our response to sin and failure? [45:55]
4. What does it mean to have a disconnect between self-identification as a follower of Jesus and the actual evidence of obedience in one's life? [53:40]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your role as a parent or a mentor. How can you draw strength from your identity as a child of God to better serve and love your family? [12:31]
2. Think about a time when you viewed God's commands as restrictive. How can you reframe your perspective to see them as pathways to joy and life? [36:33]
3. When you sin, do you tend to turn inward in shame or outward in defensiveness? How can you practice turning upward to Jesus, your advocate? [45:55]
4. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with obedience. What steps can you take to abide more deeply in Christ to transform this area? [01:01:05]
5. What practices can you add to your daily routine to help you remain in Christ's presence? Consider specific spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, or community involvement. [01:11:45]
6. Are there distractions in your life that pull you away from abiding in Christ? What can you subtract or minimize to create more space for His presence? [01:14:29]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group to walk in obedience and abide in Christ? Share practical ways to build each other up in faith. [01:12:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Fatherhood as a Divine Calling
Fatherhood is a significant and weighty calling that draws us into deeper communion with our Heavenly Father. Our primary identity is not in being fathers but in being children of God, which allows us to love and serve our families out of the overflow of God's love for us. This perspective shifts the focus from the pressures and expectations of fatherhood to the grace and strength that come from our relationship with God. It reminds us that our ability to father well is rooted in our understanding and experience of being fathered by God. This divine calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, inviting us to reflect God's love, patience, and guidance to our children.
As fathers, we are called to model the character of God to our families. This means embodying qualities such as love, patience, kindness, and faithfulness. It also means being honest about our shortcomings and relying on God's grace to grow and improve. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we can better fulfill our role as fathers, leading our families with wisdom and compassion. [12:31]
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Reflection: How can you prioritize your relationship with God to better fulfill your role as a father or a parental figure in your family?
Day 2: The Purpose of God's Commands
God's commands are not meant to restrict our joy but to lead us into true life and flourishing. Just as the rules in a game make it enjoyable, God's instructions are designed to help us experience the fullness of life He created us for. When we understand that God's commands are given out of love and for our benefit, we can approach them with a heart of obedience and trust. This perspective transforms our view of God's laws from burdensome restrictions to loving guidance that leads us to true joy and fulfillment.
Obedience to God's commands is not about legalism or earning His favor; it is about aligning our lives with His will and experiencing the abundant life He offers. By following God's instructions, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and avoid the pitfalls of sin. This understanding helps us to embrace God's commands with gratitude and a desire to honor Him in all that we do. [36:33]
Psalm 19:7-8 (ESV): "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your perspective to see God's commands as loving guidance rather than restrictive rules?
Day 3: Jesus as Our Advocate and Propitiation
When we sin, Jesus stands as our advocate and propitiation, absorbing the punishment for our sins and standing with us. This means we don't need to turn inward in shame or outward in defensiveness but upward to Jesus, who advocates for us before the Father. Understanding Jesus' role as our advocate gives us the confidence to approach God with our failures and shortcomings, knowing that we are not condemned but forgiven and loved. This assurance frees us from the burden of guilt and empowers us to live in the freedom of God's grace.
Jesus' advocacy is a continual reminder of His love and sacrifice for us. It encourages us to rely on His strength and righteousness rather than our own. By turning to Jesus in our moments of weakness, we can experience His grace and forgiveness, which transforms our hearts and motivates us to live in obedience to God. [45:55]
1 John 2:1-2 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself to turn to Jesus as your advocate when you face feelings of guilt or shame?
Day 4: The Evidence of True Faith
Obedience to God's commands is the evidence of our faith in Jesus. Saying we follow Jesus without seeking to obey Him is a lie. True followers of Jesus seek to conform their lives to His instructions and commands, even if imperfectly. This means that our actions should reflect our professed beliefs, demonstrating our commitment to living according to God's will. Obedience is not about perfection but about a genuine desire to honor God and grow in our relationship with Him.
Our obedience is a testimony to the world of our faith in Jesus. It shows that we take His words seriously and are committed to living out His teachings. By striving to obey God's commands, we bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. This evidence of true faith encourages others to seek a relationship with Jesus and experience the same transformation. [53:40]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: In what areas of your life can you better align your actions with your professed faith in Jesus?
Day 5: Abiding in Christ for True Obedience
True obedience comes from abiding in Christ, allowing Him to transform us from within. Abiding means remaining in His presence, making Him our emotional home, and allowing His Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. This deep, ongoing relationship with Jesus is the source of our strength and ability to obey God's commands. By staying connected to Christ, we receive the nourishment and empowerment needed to live a life that honors God.
Abiding in Christ involves both adding practices that draw us closer to Him and subtracting distractions that pull us away. This intentional focus on our relationship with Jesus helps us to remain rooted in His love and guidance. As we abide in Christ, we experience the transformation of our hearts and minds, leading to a life that naturally produces the fruit of the Spirit. [01:01:05]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What practices can you add to your daily routine to help you abide in Christ more fully, and what distractions can you remove to stay focused on Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "True life is found in obeying God's commands. Now that word obeying, for some of us, maybe if not all of us, part of us at least, it sort of rubs us the wrong way. Like we don't necessarily love the idea of obedience. I know it's Family Sunday. I know we got kiddos in the room and I know kiddos. Sometimes we don't want to obey mom and dad. Mom and dad ask us to do something. We don't want to do something. We don't want to do things that we don't want to do. Mom and dad ask us to do things like take a bath or brush your teeth or eat this before you can have dessert. And most of us aren't always like, oh, always yes with all joy and honor. Sometimes obeying is hard. Sometimes obedience isn't the thing that we want to do." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God doesn't call us away from sin because he's a grumpy killjoy. He calls us away from sin because he's a loving father who wants our eternal happiness. True life is found in obeying God's command. So that's sort of the banner here in this first verse. Then what I love about this passage is John then sort of unpacks this idea of obedience. And he does so in a way that sort of helps us answer some questions that we may have. We may have some questions about this idea of obedience. And John goes, okay, I'm going to walk you through this and I'm going to help answer these questions." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Obedience to Christ is only possible through abiding in Christ. Now, this word abide, what does it mean? Because it kind of has some spiritual tone to it. We're like, okay, what? It's like a kind of a ethereal theological word. The word is the Greek word meno. It just means to remain or to dwell or to stay. So I love that. I love the idea of just remain or stay. Because if you think, okay, what is Jesus actually saying here? And you can write this in your Bible, like write it next to it or write it in the margin. When Jesus says abide in me, what he's saying is stay with me. Remain in my presence. Remain with me. Dwell with me. Set up camp in me. And through that, I will bear fruit in you." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus says the only way, the third path, the way through to actually obey and step into the life of joy that I have for you is to abide in me and let me change you. Let me transform you. Let me grow my fruit through you as a branch. Here's what John is saying. Obedience to Christ is only possible through abiding in Christ." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus wants to shepherd you to life. That's what it means to follow him. That's what it means to obey him. And so all obedience really is at the core is saying, I'm going to remain with my shepherd. I'm going to stick right by his side. Wherever he tells me to go, that's where I'm going to go. Wherever he leads me, I'm going to follow. Sometimes that's going to be by green pastures and still waters. Sometimes that's going to be through the valley of the shadow of death. Either way, I'm with my shepherd. And I'm in lockstep with him, trusting him, abiding in him, remaining with him so that through him, I might walk the joyous path of obedience. That is what obedience to Christ is. And that is where life is found." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Not only do you feel the reality and the calling of being a dad and being a father, but more than that, you would know your identity is actually not primarily in your fatherhood. It is in your heavenly father's fatherhood of you that you are first and foremost a child before you are a father. And it is out of that identity and out of that love from our heavenly father that we then pour out for our families. And of course, on a day like Father's Day, we're going to be able to do that. But on a day like Father's Day, like many significant days, it's also an occasion that sort of confronts us with the reality that just like every area of life, fatherhood is one that is broken by the presence of sin in this world, that there are things that we carry with fatherhood that bring great joy and that there are things that we carry with fatherhood that bring great sorrows. The beauty, though, of gathering as a church family is, is that whatever those circumstances are, we get to bring them all to Jesus. And that he stands over all of them and that he shepherds us through all of them." (65 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so whether the idea or concept or your story of experience of fatherhood is one that does fill you with great joy and you are just pumped to be here and pumped to be celebrated today, or whether or it's something that that brings some sorrow and some weight and some lament and grief, either way, we as a family, we as a spiritual family are here to receive from Christ. We are here to receive his grace. The gospel, his presence, his shepherding this morning in the singing of songs and sitting under his word as we come together as a family to his table." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And what I love about the episode is at the end of the episode, what they all realize is all of the rules that they had to follow were what made the game fun. That if they had just changed all the rules, they wouldn't have had any of the fun moments that they experienced throughout playing the game. And it was the constraints or the rules of the game that actually allowed them to flourish and enjoy the game. And when I watched that, I was like, that is life. And that actually is so very much a picture of the way that God gives us instruction and gives us commands and gives us his laws. See, typically we have a tendency to think, well, God's rules are there so that we don't have too much fun. God is sort of like, hey, we need to just make sure we chill a little bit. So I know you guys want to have a lot of fun. I know you want to be really happy, but we got to just tone that down. And so I'm going to give you some rules and those rules are going to kind of temper you in. But the opposite is actually true. And it's why I love the episode Shadowlands, that the rules that God gives us are not the rules that we're supposed to follow. And so I'm going to give you a little bit of a sense of what that means. And so if Shadowlands is like the game of life, it's not just about the game, but they are there to give us joy. They are there to make the thing itself matter. And so if Shadowlands is like the game of life, the rules of God, the commands of God, the instructions of God are there so that not to keep us from enjoying life, but to actually allow us to enjoy life, to actually allow us to step into the life that God has created for us." (101 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you fail, when you mess up, when you disobey, when you choose your own way over God's way, you have an advocate before the Father. You don't have to heap condemnation on yourself. You don't have to blame shift and defend and put up your defenses. You can just humbly and gratefully go back to God because Jesus is there inviting you into his presence. You can receive the forgiveness of sins, experience his new life, walk in that. And Jesus, as your advocate, is drawn to you and says, we will walk through this. I will shepherd you through this. Pick your chin up and let's keep going." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Obedience matters not because it earns our favor before God, not because it gets God to love us, not because it saves us. Obedience matters because it's the evidence that we actually have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. That's what faith and repentance is. When Jesus says, repent and believe in me, what he's saying is stop following yourself and follow me. Don't believe in your own self-determination. Follow me. Believe in me. Put your faith and your trust in me. And so if we have turned from our sin and put our faith and trust in Jesus, yes, will we stumble? Absolutely. Will we fail? Absolutely. Will we fall forward toward glory? Absolutely. But we are walking. We are walking in obedience to him." (49 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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