Review

• How do we make sure we stay focused on what’s most important this Christmas season?
• Looking at each title or name given Jesus, the One prophesied about in Isaiah 9:6 (some 700 years before His birth)
• These are more than titles or names, they are the essence of His character – who HE is
• We’ve talked about how HE is our: Wonderful Counselor and our Mighty God

Preview

Isaiah 9:6-7 – “Everlasting Father”

6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! NLT

1. The priority of proper Bible Interpretation Principles
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. NLT

• To accurately interpret the meaning of a piece of ancient literature, we need to focus on what the author intended the initial readers to understand: THEN and THERE
• From here, we clarify timeless or universal truths that are true regardless of the time they are heard in or the culture someone is living it: Timeless Principles of Truth
• From these timeless principles, we form application for our lives today: HERE and NOW
• God’s word is sufficient to correct, teach and train us so we are equipped for godly living today!

2. Jesus, as our Father
1 Peter 2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” NLT

• Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) is the founder or Father of our faith nation
• We get our identity from this new “people” or “nation” we belong to
• In ancient times, the father of a nation was the primary provider and protector
• Through our relationship with Jesus, He provides access to God’s abundant riches so that we have all we need to live the godly lives that He desires for us (2 Peter 1:3-4; Ephesians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 9:8)

3. Jesus, from Everlasting
John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. NLT

• Jesus is eternal, unending or without end
• He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

4. Jesus, Everlasting Father

Isaiah 9: 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! NLT

• His rule, as the Father or founder of our faith nation, will never end
• His ability to provide and protect what is needed for not only our lives but our children’s and grandchildren’s, and their grandchildren’s lives is UNENDING

5. Jesus, reveals our Abba, Father
Galatians 4: 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. NLT

• Jesus not only is the promised Messiah that would die for the sins of the world, He also came to reveal the Father and make a way for us to be adopted into His family
• Not only are we people belonging to the faith nation Jesus established, we also have the opportunity to be a part of His royal family through adoption by His Father
• This is the foundation of His rule of peace (next week), our solid identity and belonging in Him

Next Steps

• You, as an individual
  •  Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and come under His rule and therefore belong to His nation?
  •  Have you come to The Father, relating to Him as Abba or Daddy?
  •  From this identity and place of provision and protection, you can have peace and hope in this season not only for yourself but for others. Who will you share Him with this season?
• We, as a church
  •  Let’s continue to remind each other of Whose we are–we belong to the King so let’s continue to live as His royal family – in how we engage with this world and how we relate to each other
  •  Let’s continue to be on His mission, this earth is not our home–we’re living for our Heavenly home – let’s not lose this perspective in this holiday season
  •  Let’s continue to share this hope with those around us–that God would continue to use us to show His light into the darkness around us – that many would come to know Him and have life and hope and peace

Scriptures to consider

•  Isaiah 9:6
• John 1:1-3 (Everlasting Father)
• Romans 8:14-17 (Everlasting Father)
•  Isaiah 63:16; John 20:17; Gal. 4:6

Questions for Small Group

(Ice Breaker – What’s your favorite dad joke/funny dad story?)

1.  What characteristics do you think of when you hear the word Father?
2.  What have you learned about God the Father through your own experience with your dad, or your experience with your children?
3.  Regardless of your personal experience, how would you describe the ideal father/child relationship?
4.  What does the Bible mean when it talks about the Everlasting Father?
5.  Read Romans 8:14-17, why do you think God chose to relate to us through a Father/child relationship?
6.  What is your response to being adopted into the family of God? What expectations do you think God has of us as adopted members of His family?
7.  How are you going to think differently about God this week? How does this impact how you celebrate Christ this season?
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