Getting to Know God as Father (Act Like A Man Bonus #2)
2 First things to learn 1. Who God is (Father) 2. Who God says ur (son in Christ)
- Culture – father wound
- Religions – earthly father largely determines view of God
Atheism – no Father Agnosticism – unsure & no interest
Deism – absent dead beat Islam – cruel Father (jihad/martyrdom)
Liberal XN- passive tolerant Feminist – mother
- Church – Jesus most, HS some, Father rare
- entire denominations & Bible translations = remove masculine language (NRSV)
- lots of language about God’s love appeals to women & repels men (Bride/Groom)
4. Bible – God Father & Jesus Son.
- OT – fathers & genealogies, 15X reference nation Israel
Matthew 6:9 Jesus said, “Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
- Jesus Revolutionary Word – 65X Matt-Lk; 100+X John
- 0 indication Jews used Father before Jesus
- Abba – not Daddy but Father (young & old children)
The Father wants to have a close relationship with you
John 14:6 Jesus said…“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- HS brings you to Jesus – Jesus brings you to Father
- Many men know Jesus (saved) but not much about Father (healed)
Was your earthly father relational?
The Father wants to forgive you, and teach you to forgive others
Mark 11:25…whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
- You: 1. Stop hiding 2. Stop blaming/excusing 3. Stop living in past = Start over
- Others: Unforgiveness/Bitterness – doorway to demonic
Was your earthly father a forgiven & forgiving man?
The Father wants to help you
Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 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!
- Pray godly
- Pray first
- Pray specifically
Was your earthly Father generous? Was your earthly father a burden lifter or giver?
The Father is seeking worshippers
John 4:22-24 …the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Everyone was made to worship. Everyone worships.
- Worship – who/what is your priority?
= CLUE? What do you make sacrifices for (time, energy, $)?
- We worship our way into trouble, & out of trouble.
- We become like what we worship
- How can I be a good son right now?
= Like Father, like son. My dad wore boots & worked hard. My grandpa was generous & planned fun.
Discussion Questions
How can we pray for you?
Who are you? Introduce yourself in a few minutes.
What did God the Holy Spirit highlight for you in the talk?
What is the next step you need to take to become the man God is calling you to be?
