Embracing God's Everlasting Love and Perfect Fatherhood
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound and intimate love that God, our Heavenly Father, has for each one of us. This love is not distant or conditional but is deeply personal and everlasting. From the moment of our conception, God has chosen us and planned our lives with meticulous care. We are not mistakes; every detail of our existence is written in His book. God’s love is a complete expression of who He is, and He desires to lavish this love upon us simply because we are His children.
God's love surpasses that of any earthly father. He is our perfect provider, meeting all our needs and offering us good gifts. His plans for our future are filled with hope, and His thoughts towards us are countless. He rejoices over us with singing and never stops doing good to us. We are His treasured possession, and He desires to establish us with all His heart and soul.
If we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. He promises to give us the desires of our hearts, for He is the one who placed those desires within us. God is our greatest encourager and comforter, especially in times of trouble. He is close to the brokenhearted and carries us close to His heart like a shepherd with a lamb. One day, He will wipe away every tear and remove all the pain we have suffered on this earth.
In Jesus, God's love is fully revealed. Jesus came to demonstrate that God is for us and not against us. His death was the ultimate expression of God's love, reconciling us to Him. By receiving Jesus, we receive God, and nothing can ever separate us from His love again. God is waiting for us to come home, ready to throw the biggest celebration heaven has ever seen. His question to us is simple: Will we be His children?
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Personal and Everlasting Love: From the moment of our conception, God has chosen us and planned our lives with meticulous care. We are not mistakes; every detail of our existence is written in His book. This demonstrates the depth of God's personal and everlasting love for each of us. [54:47]
2. God as the Perfect Father: Unlike any earthly father, God is the perfect provider who meets all our needs and offers us good gifts. His plans for our future are filled with hope, and His thoughts towards us are countless. This highlights the completeness and reliability of God's fatherly love. [56:00]
3. Seeking and Finding God: If we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. He promises to give us the desires of our hearts, for He is the one who placed those desires within us. This encourages us to pursue a deep and heartfelt relationship with God. [56:45]
4. God's Comfort in Times of Trouble: God is our greatest encourager and comforter, especially in times of trouble. He is close to the brokenhearted and carries us close to His heart like a shepherd with a lamb. This assures us of God's presence and comfort in our darkest moments. [57:35]
5. Reconciliation Through Jesus: In Jesus, God's love is fully revealed. Jesus came to demonstrate that God is for us and not against us. His death was the ultimate expression of God's love, reconciling us to Him. By receiving Jesus, we receive God, and nothing can ever separate us from His love again. [57:35]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[45:14] - Introduction
[53:25] - God's Personal Love
[53:37] - God's Perfect Plan
[53:54] - The Nature of God's Love
[54:15] - Historical and Poetic Aspects
[54:47] - God's Choice and Creation
[56:00] - God as the Perfect Father
[56:45] - Seeking and Finding God
[57:35] - Reconciliation Through Jesus
[58:00] - Invitation to Come Home
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:13-16 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
2. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
3. Romans 8:38-39 - "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139:13-16, what does it mean that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"?
2. In Jeremiah 29:11, what are the plans that God has for us, and how do they reflect His love?
3. Romans 8:38-39 speaks about the inseparability of God's love. What are some of the things listed that cannot separate us from God's love?
4. The sermon mentioned that God rejoices over us with singing and never stops doing good to us. How does this compare to the love of an earthly father? [56:00]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that God has meticulously planned our lives (Psalm 139:13-16) affect our view of our own worth and purpose?
2. What does it mean for our daily lives that God’s plans for us are filled with hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)? How can this promise impact our decisions and outlook?
3. Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love. How can this assurance provide comfort in times of trouble or doubt?
4. The sermon emphasized that God is our greatest encourager and comforter, especially in times of trouble. How can we practically experience and recognize God's comfort in our lives? [56:45]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like a mistake or insignificant. How does knowing that God has chosen you and planned your life with meticulous care change your perspective? [54:47]
2. In what ways can you seek God with all your heart this week? What specific steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [56:45]
3. Think of a current challenge or trouble you are facing. How can you lean on God as your greatest encourager and comforter during this time? [56:45]
4. How can you remind yourself daily of God's everlasting love and His plans for your future? Are there specific scriptures or practices that can help you stay focused on His promises? [56:00]
5. Jesus' death was the ultimate expression of God's love, reconciling us to Him. How does this truth impact your understanding of God's love and your relationship with Him? [57:35]
6. God promises to give us the desires of our hearts if we delight in Him. What are some desires you have that you believe God has placed in your heart? How can you align these desires with His will? [56:45]
7. Reflect on the idea that God is waiting for us to come home and is ready to throw the biggest celebration heaven has ever seen. How does this image of God as a loving Father waiting for His children affect your view of repentance and returning to Him? [57:35]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Personal and Everlasting Love
From the moment of our conception, God has chosen us and planned our lives with meticulous care. We are not mistakes; every detail of our existence is written in His book. This demonstrates the depth of God's personal and everlasting love for each of us. God’s love is not distant or conditional but is deeply personal and everlasting. He has known us even before we were formed in our mother’s womb, and He has a unique plan for each of our lives. This love is a complete expression of who He is, and He desires to lavish this love upon us simply because we are His children.
God’s love surpasses that of any earthly father. He is our perfect provider, meeting all our needs and offering us good gifts. His plans for our future are filled with hope, and His thoughts towards us are countless. He rejoices over us with singing and never stops doing good to us. We are His treasured possession, and He desires to establish us with all His heart and soul. [54:47]
Psalm 139:15-16 (ESV): "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt insignificant or unloved. How does knowing that God has meticulously planned your life and loves you personally change your perspective on that experience?
Day 2: God as the Perfect Father
Unlike any earthly father, God is the perfect provider who meets all our needs and offers us good gifts. His plans for our future are filled with hope, and His thoughts towards us are countless. This highlights the completeness and reliability of God's fatherly love. God’s love is not just a feeling but an active, providing, and nurturing presence in our lives. He knows our needs even before we ask and delights in giving us good gifts.
His plans for us are not just for our immediate happiness but for our ultimate good and eternal joy. He is constantly thinking about us, and His thoughts towards us are more numerous than the grains of sand. This kind of love and care is beyond human comprehension and is a testament to His perfect fatherhood. [56:00]
Matthew 7:11 (ESV): "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent need or desire you had. How did you see God providing for you in that situation? How can you trust Him more as your perfect Father in future needs?
Day 3: Seeking and Finding God
If we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him. He promises to give us the desires of our hearts, for He is the one who placed those desires within us. This encourages us to pursue a deep and heartfelt relationship with God. God is not hiding from us; He is waiting for us to seek Him earnestly. When we do, we will find Him and experience the fullness of His love and presence.
The desires of our hearts are not random; they are placed there by God Himself. When we align our desires with His will, He delights in fulfilling them. This pursuit of God is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of growing closer to Him and understanding His heart for us. [56:45]
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can seek God more earnestly this week? How can you make space in your daily routine to pursue a deeper relationship with Him?
Day 4: God's Comfort in Times of Trouble
God is our greatest encourager and comforter, especially in times of trouble. He is close to the brokenhearted and carries us close to His heart like a shepherd with a lamb. This assures us of God's presence and comfort in our darkest moments. In times of trouble, it is easy to feel abandoned and alone, but God promises to be with us through every trial.
He is not a distant observer but an active participant in our suffering, offering comfort and encouragement. He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Like a shepherd who carries a lamb close to his heart, God holds us tenderly and lovingly, providing the comfort and strength we need to endure. [57:35]
Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you felt brokenhearted or troubled. How did you experience God's comfort during that time? How can you seek His presence more intentionally in future times of trouble?
Day 5: Reconciliation Through Jesus
In Jesus, God's love is fully revealed. Jesus came to demonstrate that God is for us and not against us. His death was the ultimate expression of God's love, reconciling us to Him. By receiving Jesus, we receive God, and nothing can ever separate us from His love again. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love, showing us that God is not distant or indifferent but deeply involved in our lives.
His sacrificial death on the cross was the ultimate act of love, bridging the gap between us and God. Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God and can experience a relationship with Him that is unbreakable. This reconciliation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality that we live in every day. [57:35]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' role in reconciling you to God change the way you view your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I chose you even before you were conceived I chose you when I planned creation You were not a mistake You were not a mistake For all your days are written in my book And I determined the exact time of your birth And where you would live You are fearfully and wonderfully made I knit you together in your mother's womb And brought you forth on the day you were born" [56:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I am not distant and angry But I am the complete expression of love And it is my desire to lavish my love on you Simply because you are my child and I am your father I offer you more than your earthly father ever could For I am the perfect father Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand For I am your provider and I meet all your needs" [56:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "My plan for your future has always been filled with hope Because I love you with an everlasting love My thoughts towards you are countless as the sand on the seashore And I rejoice over you with singing And I will never stop doing good to you For you are my treasured possession You are my treasured possession I desire to establish you with all my heart and my soul And I want to show you great and marvelous things" [56:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you seek me with all your heart You will find me Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart For it is I who gave you those desires I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine For I am your greatest encourager I am also the father who comforts you in all of your troubles When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you" [56:45] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes And I will take away all the pain that you have suffered on this earth I am your father and I love you even as I love my son For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed He is the exact representation of my being He came to demonstrate that I am for you and not against you" [57:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me I am not distant and angry But I am the complete expression of love And it is my desire to lavish my love on you Simply because you are my child and I am your father I offer you more than your earthly father ever could For I am the perfect father Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand For I am your provider and I meet all your needs" [56:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "My plan for your future has always been filled with hope Because I love you with an everlasting love My thoughts towards you are countless as the sand on the seashore And I rejoice over you with singing And I will never stop doing good to you For you are my treasured possession You are my treasured possession I desire to establish you with all my heart and my soul And I want to show you great and marvelous things" [56:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you seek me with all your heart You will find me Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart For it is I who gave you those desires I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine For I am your greatest encourager I am also the father who comforts you in all of your troubles When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you" [56:45] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes And I will take away all the pain that you have suffered on this earth I am your father and I love you even as I love my son For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed He is the exact representation of my being He came to demonstrate that I am for you and not against you" [57:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you I gave up everything I love that I make you feel If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me And nothing will ever separate you from my love again Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen I have always been father and will always be father My question is, will you be my child? I am waiting for you Love, your heavenly father" [57:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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