Embracing Our Divine Relationship: Creator, Father, Husband

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound nature of our relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of recognizing who we are addressing in prayer. We began by reflecting on the sacredness of prayer and the tendency to treat it as a mere routine. It's crucial to approach God with genuine faith, believing that He desires to answer our prayers and improve our relationship with Him. This understanding should transform our prayer life, making it a meaningful dialogue with our Creator, Father, and Husband.

We delved into the concept of God as our Creator, who intricately formed us in our mother's womb. This realization should evoke a sense of awe and reverence, reminding us of our dependence on Him. We are not mere accidents; we are purposefully crafted by God for His glory. This understanding should shape how we approach Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and our role as His creation.

Next, we considered God as our Father, a relationship that offers intimacy and security. For those who have experienced broken earthly relationships, this can be a challenging concept. However, through the Spirit, we can experience the love and acceptance of God as our Father, who delights in us as His children. This relationship invites us to run into His arms with the same joy and trust as a child with their earthly father.

Finally, we explored the metaphor of God as our Husband, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. This imagery speaks to the deep, covenantal relationship we have with God, where we are His bride, and He is our groom. It challenges us to submit joyfully to His leadership and protection, recognizing the profound love and commitment He has for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prayer as a Sacred Dialogue: Prayer should not be a routine or half-hearted exercise. It is a sacred dialogue with God, who desires to answer our prayers and deepen our relationship with Him. We must approach Him with faith, believing in His willingness to respond. [00:15]

2. God as Our Creator: Recognizing God as our Creator should evoke awe and reverence. We are purposefully crafted by Him, not mere accidents. This understanding shapes our approach to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence on Him. [09:32]

3. Intimacy with God as Father: God as our Father offers intimacy and security. Despite broken earthly relationships, the Spirit enables us to experience His love and acceptance. We are invited to run into His arms with the joy and trust of a child. [21:01]

4. God as Our Husband: The metaphor of God as our Husband speaks to a deep, covenantal relationship. As His bride, we are called to submit joyfully to His leadership, recognizing His profound love and commitment to us. [37:18]

5. Dependence and Joyful Submission: Our relationship with God involves dependence and joyful submission. Whether as a child to a father, a bride to a husband, or a creation to a creator, we are called to trust and rely on Him fully. [48:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - The Sacredness of Prayer
- [01:25] - God Desires Relationship
- [02:56] - The Zeal of the Lord
- [04:07] - Understanding God Through Scripture
- [05:15] - A Story of Recognition
- [07:39] - Recognizing God's Presence
- [08:53] - God as Creator
- [10:08] - The Depth of Creation
- [12:16] - Adam's First Encounter
- [14:22] - Addressing God as Creator
- [20:09] - God as Father
- [21:39] - The Love of the Father
- [27:33] - The Spirit of Sonship
- [37:18] - God as Husband
- [46:15] - The Bride of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:6-7
2. Psalm 139:13
3. Isaiah 54:5

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Observation Questions:

1. According to James 1:6-7, what is the consequence of doubting when we pray? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on approaching God with genuine faith? [00:31]

2. In Psalm 139:13, what does the psalmist say about how God created us? How does this verse contribute to our understanding of God as our Creator? [09:32]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God and His creation, particularly in the context of Adam's first encounter with God? [12:16]

4. What imagery does Isaiah 54:5 use to describe the relationship between God and His people? How is this metaphor explored in the sermon? [37:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the understanding of God as our Creator, as described in Psalm 139:13, influence the way we approach Him in prayer? What does it mean to acknowledge His sovereignty in our lives? [09:32]

2. The sermon discusses the intimacy and security found in viewing God as our Father. How might this perspective change for someone who has experienced broken earthly relationships? [21:01]

3. Reflecting on the metaphor of God as our Husband, what does it mean to joyfully submit to His leadership and protection? How does this imagery challenge our modern understanding of relationships? [37:18]

4. How does the sermon suggest that our earthly relationships can distort our understanding of God? What steps can be taken to overcome these distortions? [04:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you find yourself treating prayer as a routine? What steps can you take to transform it into a meaningful dialogue with God? [00:15]

2. When you consider God as your Creator, how does this affect your sense of purpose and identity? What practical ways can you remind yourself of this truth daily? [09:32]

3. If you struggle with the concept of God as a loving Father due to past experiences, how can you begin to experience His love and acceptance through the Spirit? [21:01]

4. In what ways can you joyfully submit to God’s leadership in your life, recognizing Him as your Husband? How does this submission manifest in your daily decisions? [37:18]

5. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. How can the understanding of God’s desire to improve His relationship with you change your approach to Him? [03:33]

6. Identify one area in your life where you need to depend more on God. What practical steps can you take this week to rely on Him fully? [48:34]

7. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God in your daily life, acknowledging Him as your Creator, Father, and Husband? [09:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Prayer as a Sacred Dialogue
Prayer is a sacred dialogue with God, not a routine task. It is an opportunity to engage with the Creator, who desires to answer our prayers and deepen our relationship with Him. Approaching God with genuine faith and belief in His willingness to respond transforms prayer into a meaningful conversation. This understanding encourages believers to move beyond half-hearted prayers and embrace the sacredness of communicating with God. By recognizing the importance of who we are addressing, we can cultivate a prayer life that is vibrant and full of faith. [00:15]

Isaiah 65:24 (ESV): "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear."

Reflection: How can you intentionally make your prayer time a sacred dialogue with God today, rather than a routine task?


Day 2: God as Our Creator
Recognizing God as our Creator evokes awe and reverence. We are purposefully crafted by Him, not mere accidents, and this understanding shapes our approach to Him. Acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence on Him reminds us of our place in His creation. This perspective encourages us to approach God with humility and gratitude, recognizing the intricate care with which He formed us. By embracing our identity as His creation, we can find purpose and meaning in our relationship with Him. [09:32]

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge God's sovereignty and your dependence on Him in your daily life today?


Day 3: Intimacy with God as Father
God as our Father offers intimacy and security, even for those who have experienced broken earthly relationships. Through the Spirit, we can experience His love and acceptance, running into His arms with the joy and trust of a child. This relationship invites us to embrace the love of a perfect Father who delights in us as His children. By understanding God as our Father, we can find comfort and assurance in His presence, knowing that we are cherished and valued. [21:01]

1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."

Reflection: How can you embrace the intimacy and security of God as your Father today, especially in areas where you feel vulnerable or insecure?


Day 4: God as Our Husband
The metaphor of God as our Husband speaks to a deep, covenantal relationship. As His bride, we are called to submit joyfully to His leadership, recognizing His profound love and commitment to us. This imagery challenges us to embrace the covenantal nature of our relationship with God, where we are cherished and protected. By understanding God as our Husband, we can find strength and assurance in His unwavering love and faithfulness. [37:18]

Hosea 2:19-20 (ESV): "And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord."

Reflection: What does joyful submission to God's leadership look like in your life today, and how can you embrace His love and commitment to you?


Day 5: Dependence and Joyful Submission
Our relationship with God involves dependence and joyful submission, whether as a child to a father, a bride to a husband, or a creation to a creator. We are called to trust and rely on Him fully, recognizing His sovereignty and love. This understanding encourages us to embrace our dependence on God, finding joy in submitting to His will and guidance. By acknowledging our need for Him, we can experience the fullness of His presence and the peace that comes from trusting in His plan. [48:34]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you practice joyful submission and dependence on God today, trusting in His guidance and plan?

Quotes


do you guys believe I mean seriously think in your heart because I I love what Vanessa started with how sometimes we can take something so sacred and becomes common and prayer is certainly one of those those things in our lives where we can just throw words up there with a lack of faith and we know what James says you know the Book of James says if you doubt you're going to receive nothing and so it's so easy to get in this habit of half believing our prayers and then God guarantees well then those prayers won't be answered because I don't answer the person who doubts James 1. [00:00:04]

I realized that there were certain you know the Bible describes God as our creator it talks about God as our um our father it talks about God as our husband or groom and we're the bride of Christ and and as we start talking about some of these things I thought okay when I address him do I think of him in these ways and God was just showing me that sometimes I'm not thinking through who I'm speaking to based upon scripture and he's also showing me that sometimes our Earthly relationships can distort that picture that we're supposed to have with God. [00:03:37]

but how many of you have really meditated on that thought of the creator you know in Psalm 139 verse 13 it says for you formed my inward Parts you knit me together in my mother's womb could you believe this do you believe that God knit you together in your mother's womb because it's very easy to just from a secular fleshly perspective go well yes but it physically I learned in in human biology or anatomy class I learned how that works and and how things come together and you just think about the physical element of it. [00:09:02]

and if that is true that someone else created you made you how do you speak to him sometimes I try to imagine uh what it was like for Adam the first human being and God creates this man out of the dirt and then breathes life into him okay it seems like this was a very intimate Act where he literally just in his face breathe life into Adam now we're Madam imagine Adam suddenly appears here's this human being he does he know what he is I mean does he all he knows is he's standing before this being who just breathed life into him. [00:11:19]

I love Psalm 68 it's one of my one of my life verses I have a lot of them but where he says father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation so talking about our creator in heaven right now he defines himself as a father and like his very nature is to be a father to the fatherless um and I think for those of us who who don't have dads or didn't have dads growing up or or we just have a horrible relationship or no relationship even though they're still alive obviously that passage means a lot to us. [00:20:41]

see what kind of love the father has given to us that we should be called children of God and so we are see what manner of love the father has given unto us it's like look at the amazing opportunity the amazing love he's shown that we could be called children of God sons of God foreign so I've been out of town I've been out of town a lot and leaving town again and I came back this morning and immediately my son Silas comes running out the door and jumps into my arms you know. [00:21:39]

and that is our creator who created the Garden of Eden and now he calls himself a father because it's about this relationship this is so fascinating that's why he says behold what manner of love the father has given unto us that we should be called Sons God that I get to take on the name a son of God a child of God and I'm guessing for a lot of us we never some of us never jumped into our dad's arms that's like the furthest thing from our minds so how can we understand God as father right and I've shared I've wrestled with this. [00:25:08]

and because you are Sons God has sent the spirit of his son into our hearts crying Abba father this is what I'm praying for tonight okay it's not like hey let me give you one of my kids and have them jump on your lap so you feel you know no there's some miracle that can take place for those of us who when we hear the word father doesn't it doesn't give us a sense of security and rest and Love and Desire the Bible says there's this miracle that takes place where inwardly even though we've never felt it. [00:27:29]

I wanted them up here because some of you haven't gotten to taste this and I'm so sorry and this is where living in a broken world with Fallen people a lot of us didn't get this a lot of us didn't get the security but so many people come up to me in the past that just say oh I just see your girls they come they sit on your lap at that age and I'm just going I wish I just had some of that at some point and there's a redeeming there's something that God did in my heart to where I knew how to be a father even though I didn't have that picture. [00:31:42]

and Isaiah 54 verse 5 says for your maker is your husband the Lord of hosts is his name and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer the god of the whole earth he is called revelation 19. verses 7 through 9 says let us rejoice and exalt and give him the glory for the marriage of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen bright and pure for the fine linen is the righteous Deeds of the Saints and the angel said to me write this blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the lamb. [00:37:18]

and that word Koinonia is the same word for intercourse now to make this a sexual thing but the idea is that it's a level of intimacy that God our creator who spoke Adam into existence who says okay I you gotta I'm using the best of the the world can of like a father to a child and a a wife to a husband and this this this Fellowship that I'm inviting you into and I'm learning I'm trying to understand what it means to see God as my husband and us together being his bride. [00:43:19]

these are beautiful pictures they're pictures of dependence especially back then the way a wife had to depend on the husband the way a child has to depend on the father the way a creative being has to depend on his creator to actually create him and breathe life and give life to him and so this picture of the Bride is very important it's important for us to understand that we're not in the place of authority over God and we joyfully come under his leadership we choose this we choose to be the bride of Christ. [00:48:34]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?