Understanding Jesus as Our Everlasting Father
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of Jesus as the "Everlasting Father," a title given to Him in Isaiah 9:6. This title, while seemingly paradoxical, reveals deep truths about the nature of Christ and His relationship with us. We began by understanding the significance of introductions, both in our lives and in the biblical context. Just as a proper introduction sets the stage for understanding, the book of Isaiah serves as an introduction to the Messiah, providing hope and assurance to God's people.
The term "Everlasting" signifies Jesus' preexistence and eternal nature. He is not bound by time, having no beginning or end. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew word "ad," which conveys a sense of timelessness. Jesus, as the Word, was present at the creation of the universe, emphasizing His divine nature and eternal existence. This understanding of Jesus as eternal is crucial, as it assures us of His unchanging presence and faithfulness.
The title "Father" in "Everlasting Father" highlights Jesus' role as a nurturing and caring figure. Although Jesus did not have biological children, He is described as a Father because of His sacrificial love and the spiritual family He creates through His atoning work. Isaiah 53 prophesies the suffering servant who would make a guilt offering, pointing to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Through this act, He brings us into God's family, offering us a new spiritual birth.
Fatherhood, both earthly and divine, holds immense significance. The absence of fathers in society has led to numerous social issues, underscoring the importance of the fatherly role. God, as our Father, provides guidance, discipline, and love. We are called to honor Him by emulating His character, spending time in prayer, and sharing His love with others. Just as a child seeks to imitate a parent, we are encouraged to reflect Christ's love and humility in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Significance of Introductions: Just as introductions set the stage for understanding, Isaiah serves as an introduction to the Messiah, providing hope and assurance. This context helps us grasp the depth of Jesus' role as the Everlasting Father. [02:51]
- Jesus' Eternal Nature: The term "Everlasting" signifies Jesus' preexistence and eternal nature. He is not bound by time, having no beginning or end, which assures us of His unchanging presence and faithfulness. [10:10]
- The Role of Jesus as Father: Although Jesus did not have biological children, He is described as a Father because of His sacrificial love and the spiritual family He creates through His atoning work. [21:10]
- The Importance of Fatherhood: The absence of fathers in society has led to numerous social issues, highlighting the importance of the fatherly role. God, as our Father, provides guidance, discipline, and love. [28:35]
- Honoring God as Our Father: We are called to honor God by emulating His character, spending time in prayer, and sharing His love with others. Just as a child seeks to imitate a parent, we are encouraged to reflect Christ's love and humility in our lives. [30:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Introduction to Ministry
[02:51] - The Importance of Introductions
[04:31] - Personal Story: Bulls Game
[06:00] - Isaiah's Prophecies and Hope
[07:47] - Understanding "Everlasting Father"
[09:00] - Jesus' Eternal Nature
[10:10] - The Aseity of God
[11:12] - Jesus as the Preexistent Word
[12:11] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[14:14] - Jesus' Claim to Divinity
[15:20] - The Incarnation of Christ
[17:08] - Jesus' Humility and Sacrifice
[19:22] - Jesus as Our Spiritual Father
[21:10] - The Guilt Offering and Spiritual Birth
[24:21] - The Role of a Lifeguard vs. Judge
[25:40] - The Importance of Fatherhood
[28:35] - The Impact of Fatherlessness
[30:33] - Honoring God as Our Father
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jesus as the "Everlasting Father"
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:1-14
- Isaiah 53:10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the title "Everlasting Father" reveal about Jesus' nature and His relationship with us? [07:47]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the term "Everlasting" in relation to Jesus? [09:00]
3. In what ways does the sermon illustrate Jesus' role as a Father, despite not having biological children? [19:22]
4. What societal issues are highlighted in the sermon as a result of the absence of fatherhood? [28:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus being "Everlasting" provide assurance of His unchanging presence and faithfulness? [10:10]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of spiritual fatherhood in contrast to biological fatherhood? [21:10]
3. How does the sermon connect the role of Jesus as a Father to the idea of spiritual birth and family? [22:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the absence of earthly fathers impacts society, and how does this relate to our understanding of God as our Father? [25:40]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the title "Everlasting Father." How does this understanding of Jesus impact your personal relationship with Him? [07:47]
2. The sermon discusses Jesus' eternal nature. How does this assurance of His unchanging presence influence your daily life and faith? [10:10]
3. Consider the role of Jesus as a spiritual Father. How can you emulate His sacrificial love and nurturing nature in your relationships? [19:22]
4. The sermon highlights the societal impact of fatherlessness. How can you contribute to addressing this issue within your community or church? [28:35]
5. How can you honor God as your Father in practical ways, such as through prayer, scripture reading, or sharing His love with others? [30:33]
6. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it shape your understanding of His love and guidance? [31:41]
7. In what ways can you actively seek to reflect Christ's love and humility in your interactions with others this week? [30:33]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Introductions
Understanding the significance of introductions can transform how we perceive and engage with the world around us. In the biblical context, the book of Isaiah serves as a profound introduction to the Messiah, offering hope and assurance to God's people. Just as a well-crafted introduction sets the stage for deeper understanding, Isaiah's prophecies prepare us to grasp the depth of Jesus' role as the "Everlasting Father." This title, while seemingly paradoxical, reveals the eternal and nurturing nature of Christ. By recognizing the importance of introductions, we can better appreciate the profound truths they unveil and the hope they instill. [02:51]
Isaiah 40:3-5 (ESV): "A voice cries: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'"
Reflection: Think about a recent introduction in your life, whether a new person, book, or experience. How did it shape your understanding or perspective? How can you apply this awareness to your spiritual journey today?
Day 2: Jesus' Timeless Presence
The term "Everlasting" in "Everlasting Father" signifies Jesus' preexistence and eternal nature. He is not bound by time, having no beginning or end, which assures us of His unchanging presence and faithfulness. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew word "ad," conveying a sense of timelessness. Jesus, as the Word, was present at the creation of the universe, emphasizing His divine nature and eternal existence. Understanding Jesus as eternal is crucial, as it provides us with the assurance that He is always with us, unchanging and faithful, regardless of the circumstances we face. [10:10]
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in Jesus' unchanging presence? How can you remind yourself of His eternal nature and faithfulness in those moments?
Day 3: The Nurturing Role of Jesus
Although Jesus did not have biological children, He is described as a Father because of His sacrificial love and the spiritual family He creates through His atoning work. This fatherly role is not about biological lineage but about the nurturing and caring relationship He offers to all who believe in Him. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus brings us into God's family, offering us a new spiritual birth. This understanding of Jesus as a nurturing Father invites us to experience His love and care in a profound way, knowing that we are part of His spiritual family. [21:10]
John 1:12-13 (ESV): "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
Reflection: Reflect on how you experience Jesus' nurturing love in your life. How can you extend this love to others in your spiritual family today?
Day 4: The Impact of Fatherhood
The absence of fathers in society has led to numerous social issues, highlighting the importance of the fatherly role. God, as our Father, provides guidance, discipline, and love. Earthly fatherhood, when modeled after God's example, can have a profound impact on individuals and communities. The role of a father is not just about provision but about being present, offering guidance, and nurturing growth. As we reflect on God's fatherly role, we are reminded of the importance of emulating His character in our relationships and communities. [28:35]
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: Consider the father figures in your life, whether biological or spiritual. How have they impacted you? How can you emulate God's fatherly love in your relationships today?
Day 5: Emulating God's Character
We are called to honor God by emulating His character, spending time in prayer, and sharing His love with others. Just as a child seeks to imitate a parent, we are encouraged to reflect Christ's love and humility in our lives. This involves not only understanding God's character but actively seeking to embody it in our daily interactions. By spending time in prayer and seeking His guidance, we can grow in our ability to reflect His love and humility, becoming beacons of His light in the world. [30:33]
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Reflection: Identify one specific aspect of God's character you want to emulate more in your life. What practical steps can you take today to reflect this aspect in your interactions with others?
Quotes
"Today we'll be focusing on one of those four names, the Everlasting Father. And when we do this, we're going to see that God, creator of heaven and earth, anticipated the problem of sin that you and I would face, and he planned from before eternity to enter into his creation to solve them." [00:07:28] (20 seconds)
"But he doesn't stop there. He wants a continuing relationship with you. Now, what does it mean that Jesus would be an Everlasting Father? It creates almost a tension, doesn't it? That we're told a child will be born and he will be called Everlasting Father." [00:07:47] (21 seconds)
"This word everlasting that we get in our English translation, the Hebrew word that we get that from is the word ad. A -D is a very simple word. And what that means that in Hebrew, it feels a little bit more power than everlasting. It means having no beginning and no end." [00:08:40] (20 seconds)
"And importantly, in John 1 .1, it says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John is talking about the Word being Jesus Christ. And so we see God the Father and God the Son present at the beginning, totally unbound by any limits within creation itself." [00:11:04] (22 seconds)
"And so the way that God describes himself to Moses, the way that he instructs Moses to describe God to others, is not in a relational sense, the way that I describe myself, right? I did use the phrase, I am, a couple times when I came up here. I said, I am a member of the preaching team. I am an elder at Sugar Grove. But these are all relational aspects to me, to help you identify things about me and understand me. God simply says, I am. I exist. I am here. I have always been here. It's this constant existence, that constant present tense." [00:13:00] (47 seconds)
"Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. And so two important things here is that first, like I said, Jesus is claiming this very important title that God gave himself to Moses, I am. And he was speaking to Pharisees. These are people who knew Scripture backwards and forwards. They would have had entire, not verses memorized, they would have had entire books of the Old Testament memorized." [00:14:26] (27 seconds)
"And so we think of Jesus as eternal, as existing from before time. But when we think of him in this season, in this Advent season, we know that he came to us, that he left heaven to be born. And that's why we say he put on flesh." [00:15:31] (18 seconds)
"And here we see, again, 700 years before Jesus Christ even came to earth, we see this is the gospel, right? This is the truth of, God, the way that we would be reunited to God as a family." [00:21:00] (15 seconds)
"And so why does God do this? Again, Isaiah 53 makes it clear. He makes this sacrifice for us so that he would have offspring. He makes us his children through this sacrifice. Sacrifice." [00:25:00] (13 seconds)
"One of the most powerful ways I think we can honor God as our father, honor Jesus, is by mimicking him, by being like him." [00:31:31] (10 seconds)
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