EVERLASTING FATHER
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
JESUS IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER
Isaiah is not confusing the persons of the trinity, he is clarifying it as he speaks to the coming and character of Jesus.
EVERLASTING – Always and Forever. Unchanging. Eternal.
Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV) – Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Revelation 1:8 (NIV) – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
FATHER – Relationship. Adopter. Provider. Protector.
Galatians 4:4-7 (NIV) – But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
John 17:6-11 (NIV) – “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
EVERLASTING FATHER
Jesus offers us an unwavering, unchanging and unending love relationship as the perfect model and representation of God the Father and as an example for us to follow as earthly father and children.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“There is no un-fathering Christ, and there is no un-childing us,” – Charles Spurgeon
Think it over and talk it through
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QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Scripture to consider: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-3, Romans 8:14-17, Isaiah 63:16; John 20:17; Galatians 4:6
Ice Breaker: What’s your favorite dad joke/funny dad story?