Embracing Jesus as Our Everlasting Father

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound introduction of Jesus Christ as the Everlasting Father, as prophesied in Isaiah 9:6. This title, Everlasting Father, is not just a name but a revelation of Jesus' eternal nature and his desire for a familial relationship with us. The term "Everlasting" signifies Jesus' preexistence and eternal nature, emphasizing that He is beyond the constraints of time. He is the Alpha and Omega, existing before creation and continuing beyond it. This understanding of Jesus as eternal is crucial because it assures us that His mission and sacrifice were not last-minute decisions but part of a divine plan from the beginning.

The title "Father" in Everlasting Father highlights Jesus' role in our lives as more than just a distant deity. He seeks a personal, intimate relationship with us, akin to that of a parent. This relationship is not about mere oversight but about nurturing, guiding, and loving us as His children. Jesus' incarnation, His coming to earth, was an act of humility and love, leaving His heavenly throne to dwell among us. This act was not just to fulfill prophecies but to establish a path for us to become His children through spiritual rebirth.

In understanding Jesus as the Everlasting Father, we are called to respond by honoring Him as our Father. This involves engaging in prayer, studying scripture, evangelizing, and mimicking His character. It also means accepting His discipline, which is a sign of His love and desire for our growth. The statistics on fatherlessness in our society underscore the importance of fatherhood and the impact of its absence. Jesus fills this void, offering us a perfect example of fatherhood and inviting us into His family.

As we reflect on the miracle of Jesus' birth and His role as our Everlasting Father, we are encouraged to consider how we can draw closer to Him, emulate His love, and live as His children. This season, let us ponder the ways we can honor God as our Father and embrace the transformative relationship He offers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus as the Everlasting One: Jesus' title as the Everlasting Father emphasizes His eternal nature, existing before creation and beyond time. This assures us that His mission was part of a divine plan from the beginning, offering us hope and assurance in His eternal presence. [09:20]

2. The Humility of Incarnation: Jesus' incarnation was an act of profound humility, leaving His heavenly throne to dwell among us. This act was not just to fulfill prophecies but to establish a path for us to become His children through spiritual rebirth. [15:58]

3. Intimate Relationship with Jesus: As our Everlasting Father, Jesus seeks a personal, intimate relationship with us, akin to that of a parent. This relationship is about nurturing, guiding, and loving us as His children, inviting us into His family. [19:00]

4. Responding to Jesus' Fatherhood: We are called to honor Jesus as our Father by engaging in prayer, studying scripture, evangelizing, and mimicking His character. Accepting His discipline is a sign of His love and desire for our growth. [32:28]

5. The Importance of Fatherhood: The statistics on fatherlessness highlight the importance of fatherhood and the impact of its absence. Jesus fills this void, offering us a perfect example of fatherhood and inviting us into His family. [30:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:32] - Introduction and Personal Background
- [02:44] - The Importance of Introductions
- [04:42] - Isaiah's Prophecies and Hope
- [06:06] - The Four Names of Jesus
- [07:04] - Understanding Everlasting
- [09:20] - Jesus' Eternal Nature
- [10:47] - The Aseity of God
- [12:31] - Jesus' Claim to Divinity
- [14:40] - The Incarnation of Jesus
- [15:58] - The Humility of Jesus' Birth
- [19:00] - Jesus as Everlasting Father
- [20:44] - The Suffering Servant
- [24:42] - Jesus as Judge and Lifeguard
- [26:23] - Responding to Jesus' Sacrifice
- [30:32] - The Importance of Fatherhood
- [32:28] - Honoring God as Our Father
- [35:22] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:1-14
- Isaiah 53:10

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the title "Everlasting Father" reveal about Jesus' nature according to Isaiah 9:6? [06:06]
2. How does the sermon describe Jesus' preexistence and eternal nature? [09:20]
3. What is the significance of Jesus' incarnation as described in the sermon? [15:58]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of fatherhood in society? [30:32]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "Everlasting Father" impact the way believers view their relationship with Him? [19:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' mission was part of a divine plan from the beginning? [15:58]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of spiritual rebirth and its importance in becoming children of God? [20:44]
4. What are the implications of Jesus filling the void of fatherlessness in society, as discussed in the sermon? [30:32]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus as the Everlasting Father. How can you deepen this relationship through prayer and scripture study? [32:28]
2. The sermon emphasizes the humility of Jesus' incarnation. How can you emulate this humility in your daily life? [15:58]
3. Consider the role of fatherhood in your life, whether as a parent or a child. How can you honor God as your Father in practical ways? [32:28]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of accepting Jesus' discipline. How do you respond to God's discipline in your life, and how can you be more open to it? [35:22]
5. How can you actively participate in evangelizing and sharing the message of Jesus as the Everlasting Father with others? [32:28]
6. Reflect on the societal issue of fatherlessness mentioned in the sermon. How can you contribute to addressing this issue in your community? [30:32]
7. In what ways can you mimic Jesus' character in your interactions with others, especially in nurturing and guiding those around you? [32:28]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Eternal Nature and Divine Plan
Jesus Christ is introduced as the Everlasting Father, a title that reveals His eternal nature and preexistence. This understanding assures believers that Jesus' mission and sacrifice were not spontaneous decisions but part of a divine plan from the beginning. As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus exists beyond the constraints of time, offering hope and assurance of His eternal presence. This eternal nature emphasizes that Jesus' love and purpose for humanity are unwavering and constant, providing a foundation of trust and faith for believers. [09:20]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you feel uncertain about the future. How can the assurance of Jesus' eternal nature and divine plan bring you peace and confidence today?


Day 2: The Humility of Jesus' Incarnation
The incarnation of Jesus was an act of profound humility, as He left His heavenly throne to dwell among humanity. This act was not merely to fulfill prophecies but to establish a path for spiritual rebirth, allowing us to become His children. Jesus' birth exemplifies humility and love, demonstrating His willingness to enter into the human experience fully. This humility calls believers to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can embody similar humility and love in their interactions with others. [15:58]

Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV): "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you struggled with pride. How can you practice humility in a similar situation today, following Jesus' example of incarnation?


Day 3: Intimate Relationship with Jesus
As the Everlasting Father, Jesus seeks a personal and intimate relationship with each believer, akin to that of a parent with their child. This relationship is characterized by nurturing, guiding, and loving, inviting believers into His family. Jesus' desire for intimacy with us is not about mere oversight but about a deep, personal connection that transforms our lives. This understanding encourages believers to draw closer to Jesus, seeking His guidance and love in every aspect of their lives. [19:00]

John 15:15 (ESV): "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your intimacy with Him?


Day 4: Responding to Jesus' Fatherhood
Believers are called to honor Jesus as their Father by engaging in prayer, studying scripture, evangelizing, and mimicking His character. Accepting His discipline is a sign of His love and desire for our growth. This response to Jesus' fatherhood involves a commitment to spiritual practices that nurture our relationship with Him and reflect His character in our lives. By embracing these practices, believers can grow in their faith and become more like Christ in their daily lives. [32:28]

Hebrews 12:5-6 (ESV): "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'"

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel Jesus is disciplining you. How can you embrace this discipline as an opportunity for growth and transformation?


Day 5: Jesus as the Perfect Father
The statistics on fatherlessness highlight the importance of fatherhood and the impact of its absence. Jesus fills this void, offering a perfect example of fatherhood and inviting believers into His family. His role as the Everlasting Father provides a model of love, guidance, and nurturing that can transform lives. By understanding and embracing Jesus as the perfect Father, believers can find healing and wholeness in their relationship with Him, regardless of their earthly experiences with fatherhood. [30:32]

Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV): "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."

Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of fatherhood. How can you allow Jesus to fill any voids in your life and embrace His perfect example of fatherhood today?

Quotes

"So, well, thank you all for having me here today. It's a joy to be here. My name is Scott Brazer, as Ethan said. A few things about me, I serve on the preaching team here at Village, and I serve as an elder at our Sugar Grove campus as well. And that's a really cool opportunity for me to get to do fun things like lead a small group out of our home. And I help teach the baptism class every month at the Sugar Grove campus and get to hear stories about what God's doing in people's lives. I also have the privilege of serving as the jail and prisons ministry coordinator throughout all of our campuses." [00:00:00]

"And what that looks like, if you're curious, is two times a month, a group of men go to the Kendall County Jail, and we give their jail services at the jail. We preach God's word. We pray to them, and we minister to them, and we pray with them, and it's a blessing. And we also do, as a church, I'm sure you've seen this advertised from time to time, we do a couple of missions trips every year to the Danville Correctional Facility. And actually, we have one coming up on January 14th that I'll be going on with six or seven other men from Village, and we'd appreciate you guys praying for us." [00:00:45] (39 seconds)


"Isaiah prepared them for, for example, in the passage we're going to be looking at today, what he would be like and how he would be born, and the characteristics he would already have. He wanted them to know he's coming, he will be born a child, and this is what he will be like. This is how he will seem. This is how he will act. These will be his characteristics and his attributes. He also pointed later in the book of Isaiah to things that the Messiah would do, things that he would do. Things that the Messiah would say, things that he would fulfill." [00:04:18] (32 seconds)


"But the point of God giving these prophecies at that time was for the people of God to have hope. They were living in a time of darkness and of sadness and of fear and of anxiety. They were living in a place where they were watching the Assyrian Empire rise up next door to them, and they knew the Assyrian Empire would soon come and conquer them. This was a very vast empire. They were war -hungry. They had basically promised that they were coming to take over Israel. And meanwhile, Israel had shrunk in power and influence." [00:04:50] (36 seconds)


"And these prophecies work for us today in a different way because we look back on these prophecies and we see that they have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ. We see that he was the Messiah, and we find hope, but we also find assurance in that. And today we reflect on, as we have been for the past couple of weeks here at Village, on Isaiah 9 -6, the four names that were given to Jesus, to the Messiah, by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 9 -6 reads like this, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder." [00:05:47] (40 seconds)


"And it means simply to have no beginning and no end. And so in some ways, I think that's a stronger title even than everlasting. It would be almost like if you could imagine a timeline that starts at the creation of the universe and goes on to eternity, you could place me on that timeline. I was born in 1988. So you could put a dot on 1988, and now this timeline goes on forever. And I believe what the Bible says is true, that my faith in Jesus Christ means I will have everlasting life. So you could say from 1988 until forever, I will exist. In some form." [00:07:53] (43 seconds)


"And in some ways, you might say, well, that's also everlasting, right? I have everlasting life. And yet, the way in which we describe Jesus in this passage as everlasting is somehow bigger than that. For example, that timeline also goes that way. But when you go that way, it doesn't go forever. Does this make sense? It starts at the creation of the universe. Some of you might be able to place yourself on the timeline before me, right? And say, well, I'm older than you. I'm greater than you. My eternity is somehow greater than you." [00:08:44] (37 seconds)


"And importantly then also, in John 1 -1, we see, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And of course, we know this Word that John is talking to is referring to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ as the Son of God. And what he's saying is that God the Father and God the Son were there present at the moment of creation, both active in the creation, and they were totally unbound by any limits within time and within creation itself. This is why we say they're self -existent." [00:10:09] (38 seconds)


"And this leads to kind of a fancy theological definition that I'll give you. It's called the aseity of God. What the aseity of God means is that this is the belief that God is completely self -sufficient, independent, existing from eternity past, and dependent on nothing other than himself. This is what it means when we say God is everlasting. God is eternal. He's bigger than just being infinite, bigger than just being forwardly infinite." [00:10:47] (30 seconds)


"And now, importantly, when we think of Jesus being the everlasting Father, when we go to John 8, verses 56 through 58, Jesus is in one of these very common scenes that we see in the Gospels, where he is speaking with the Pharisees, and they're objecting to him, essentially calling him, saying, I am, and I am, and I am, and I am, and I am, and I am, and I am, and I am, claiming the title. They actually go as far as to say he's working for the devil, or he is demonically possessed. And Jesus rebukes them, and he says, Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad. And the Jews said to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." [00:13:13] (48 seconds)


"And so Jesus being the everlasting one, the ever existing one, the way in which we understand how he came to us, it says in the Bible, he put on flesh. So he didn't enter into the world the same way that you and I did. We weren't, we were created. We became a part of the world. Jesus, instead, it says, as in John 1 14, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And so Jesus being the everlasting one, the eternal God, he vacated his throne in heaven, his righteous, the place where he truly belongs. And he came to earth. And how did he do that?" [00:15:15] (43 seconds)


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Transcript
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