12.13.2020 | HE IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER
HE IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER
Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
1. Jesus came to reveal the Father.
John 1:18 – No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
John 14:9 – He who has seen Me has seen the Father.
Jesus is the “express image of His person.” (Hebrews 1:3) Exact representation.
2. Jesus came to restore us to the Father.
John 14:6 – Jesus said to them, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’
3. Jesus came to radiate the Glory of the Father to us and into the world through us.
Hebrews 1:3 – Who being the brightness of His Glory.
Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) – The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God.
Isaiah 60:1 – Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:2 – For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.
We need the Mighty God to cleanse our hearts.
We need the Everlasting Father to heal our hearts.
Soul wounds are wounds of the heart: rejection, abandonment, neglect, betrayal.
Soul wounds are injuries that the eyes can’t see, the mind can’t seem to explain, but the heart feels nevertheless.”– Bruce Wilkinson
Three Biblical truths about our Heavenly Father:
1. I HAVE A HEAVENLY FATHER WHO LOVES ME
Ungodly beliefs take root in our hearts through unhealed soul wounds.
Ungodly beliefs: I am not lovable. Something is wrong with me. No one cares about me. I’m not important.
Replace the lie with the truth of God’s Word:
Jeremiah 31:3 – Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.
Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I am deeply loved.
2. I HAVE A HEAVENLY FATHER WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE ME
Ungodly beliefs: I am all alone. Everyone has abandoned me. No one is there for me. I can’t trust anyone.
John 16:32 – Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
Hebrews 13:5 – For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’
I am not alone.
3. I HAVE A HEAVENLY FATHER WHO HAS DREAMS IN HIS HEART FOR ME
Ungodly beliefs: I’ll never succeed in life. I can’t do anything right. I’ll never change. I don’t matter.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – 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.
There is a plan and purpose for my life.
How do we experience healing for the wounds in our heart?
a. Recognize the wound.
Psalm 139:23 – Search me O God, and know my heart.
b. Release the anger, the disappointment, and the frustration, through forgiveness.
Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
c. Renounce any lies you have believed
Jesus said of the enemy: he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
d. Receive the truth of the Word of God and the blessing of the Father.
Luke 4:18 – He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, and to proclaim liberty to the captives.
Discussion Questions:
1. Can you share a soul wound you experienced growing up?
2. What were some of the ungodly beliefs that took root in your heart through that experience?
3. What is the truth of God’s Word?
4. Have you forgiven those who hurt you?
5. Have you experienced the healing power of Jesus Christ in that area of your life?