Greatest Father of them All
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Luke 12:29-32
Intro:
Well, here it is Father’s Day again. It is another one of the holidays created by the greeting card companies to increase our guilt and their income.
I am always amazed at how we treat Father’s during Father’s Day.
Ray and I have joked about this not to long ago.
On Mother’s Day we often hear sermons exalting the role of the mother in the family.
Mothers are encouraged, praised and lifted up as the most important person in the home.
And, we should thank the Lord for godly mothers.
Then there’s Father’s Day.
Dad comes to church and hears a sermon on how he does not measure up as a father.
He is told about some biblical father and the perfect life he lived, and dad leaves feeling like a failure who will never measure up as a dad.
Well dad, I have two pieces of good news for you today.
First, you are a special person too! You are just as important in the home as mom and I thank the Lord for every one of you.
Second, you do not have to listen to a sermon this Father’s Day telling you how you could do a better job as a father.
Though I am sure we could all agree as Fathers, we can do better!
Today, I want to preach about The Greatest Father Of Them All.
the One Jesus referred to as “My Father” 53 times in the Gospels.
He also called God “Our Father” some 21 times in the Gospels.
And Jesus clearly shows, that those who believe on Jesus, share the same relationship with God in Heaven that He Himself shares.
But if you we dig some more, you will find that it gets even better than that!
Jesus calls God “your Father” 21 times in the Gospels as well.
and we find two of those 21 here in our text this morning.
I would like to examine these verses today.
I want to encourage you today and help you to rejoice in your relationship with God.
If you are not saved, I would like to help you to come to know Jesus as your personal Savior as well.
I want to preach on the subject: The greatest Father Of Them All.
I. Our Relationship with the Father
I. Our Relationship with the Father
vs.30,32
Jesus calls God “your Father.”
As I said, Jesus used that designation for God twenty-one times in the Gospels.
the two verses where it is used in our text, give us some precious insights into our relationship with the Father.
A. It Is A Personal Relationship
A. It Is A Personal Relationship
—The title “your Father” speaks of a very personal relationship.
Through saving faith a person that comes to Christ is “born again”
At that instance you are brought into a relationship with the God of all Creation.
the newly redeemed sinner is actually “adopted” into the family of God, Rom. 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The word “adoption” literally means “to place as a son.”
That person instantly becomes a child of God in heaven,
1 John 3:1–2 (KJV 1900)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Thank God it is a personal relationship.
B. It’s a Profound Relationship
B. It’s a Profound Relationship
—This is a remarkable thing when you stop to consider what a person is before God saved them by His grace.
According to the Bible, the lost sinner is God’s enemy, Rom. 5:10
Romans 5:10 (KJV 1900)
For if, when we were enemies,
He or she is also a slave to the world, the flesh and the devil, Eph. 2:1–2
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
the lost sinner is doomed and condemned to an eternity in Hell, John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The sad fact is this: every person in the entire world who has not been saved is in this horrible, lost condition, Gal. 3:22 Rom. 3:10-12
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
When you stop to consider the truth that a lost, hell-bound, hell-deserving sinner could even be saved by the grace of God; it is a profound and amazing thing!
But, when you consider that same sinner also becomes a child of God, well, that is amazing beyond words!
You see, the Jews had no concept of God as a “Father.”
it was alluded to but never specifically stated.
Isaiah 64 8 he is referred to our father but that is the English translation of the word Abi. It could also be translated designer.
They saw Him as Jehovah, the transcendent God.
They could never have thought of God in such intimate of terms.
So, when Jesus arrived calling God “Father”, it was a totally new concept and it even angered many of them.
(Ill. the Jews had dozens of names for God. What they needed at any given time usually dictated the name that they used to call on God.
For instance: If they…
1. a need in their life, they would call on “Jehovah-jireh”, Gen. 22:14, which means, “The Lord will provide.”
2. anxious, they would call on “Jehovah-shalom”, Judges 6:24, which means “The Lord our peace.”
3. lonely, or afraid, they might call on “Jehovah-shammah”, Eze. 48:35, which means “The Lord is there.”
4. need leadership, they would call on “Jehovah-rohi”, Psalm 23:1, which means “The Lord our Shepherd.”
5. sick, they would call on “Jehovah-rapha”, Exodus 15:26, which means “The Lord our healer.”
There are literally dozens more, but you get the picture.
When these people needed to get a hold of God, they referred to Him by these various names.
However, for those who are in Jesus, there is a different name that we can use to speak to God.
This name was revealed to the Disciples in Luke 11:1–4 in what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer”, but is more correctly “The Disciple’s Prayer.”
Here, the disciples, who have witnessed the amazing prayer life of Jesus and who want the same access to God what to know how to pray.
I can imagine them waiting to hear which name He would give them to use in their prayers. Imagine their surprise when Jesus spoke the word “Father.”
In this passage, the Aramaic word “abba” is used, which translates to the English word “daddy”.
When I think of what I was when He found me and what He did when He found me; I stand amazed in the presence of such love, power and grace.
C. It is A Permanent Relationship
C. It is A Permanent Relationship
—When God adopted us into His family, He did not do it for just a while. He did it for all eternity!
You see, adoption, as it was practiced in biblical times, could not be undone.
A man had the right to disown his natural children; but an adopted child was a child for life.
He or she could never be disowned by the father.
This is the same guarantee that we have today, John 10:28 John 6:37–40 1 Pet. 1:5
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
What God does when He saves a soul is a forever work!
II. The Response of The Father
II. The Response of The Father
v. 30–32
(Ill. Just as a human father has certain responsibilities to the children that are born to him; God has taken on many responsibilities in relation to His children. These verses tell us about a few of those responsibilities.)
A. He is Aware
A. He is Aware
v. 30
—The Bible says that He “knoweth that ye have need of these things.”
The verb “have need” is in a tense that means our needs are “many and they are constant.”
That sounds like my life how about you?
We are a needy people!
We all have needs all the time but we serve the God that can meet every one of them.
You see, the word “knoweth” means “to be aware of something.”
The tense of this verb means that “He is always aware of everything that affects His children.”
Sometimes we as human parents just do not know what the needs of our children are.
We may not always know, but our Heavenly Father always knows.
What a blessed truth!
Nothing happens in your life or mine that goes unnoticed by our Father,
(verses 24, 26–28.)
I will go even farther and say that nothing happens in your life or mine that is not part of his plan for us, Rom. 8:28.
Thank God, He is aware of everything that is going on, and that is going wrong, in our lives,
Psalm 139:1–2 (KJV 1900)
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
B. He is Able
B. He is Able
v.31
—It isn’t enough for the Lord just to know about what His children need; He must possess the ability to meet those needs, or His knowledge does us no good.
According to this passage, God does have the power to take care of us as well as to know about us.
Verse 32, for instance, tells us that it is “The Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The word “kingdom” refers to “all that pertains to His rule.”
It speaks of “the power of the ruling One.”
Like a wealthy, benevolent king, God has the wherewithal to meet every need that arises in the lives of each of His children. Therefore, when He says “all these things shall be added unto you”, verse 31; He has the ability to back up that promise.
Many people live in doubt of God’s great ability to care for His people; but I would like to remind you that if God can speak this universe into existence, He can take care of you.
If He can keep Noah safe through that flood;
feed Elijah with the ravens;
put meal in the barrel,
oil in the cruse and life in the boy for the widow;
keep the three Hebrew boys safe in the furnace;
secure Daniel in the lion’s den;
feed Israel manna and quail in the wilderness for forty years;
slay Goliath for David;
take care of those disciples in that storm;
part the Red Sea for Moses;
raise Lazarus from the dead;
walk on the water;
feed the five thousand,
and countless other things too numerous to mentions; I think He is able to take care of you!
He is able, Eph. 3:20 Matt. 28:18 Jer. 32:17 27 Rom. 4:21
(Ill. That ought to make a Bible-believing Baptist have a Holy Ghost fit!)
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
As human parents we may not always be able to meet the needs of our children; but God will never fail.
He is eternally able to perfectly care for His children!
C. He is Available
C. He is Available
God’s awareness of our needs and His power to help us is a wonderful truth; but if He is a God Who is far removed from His children, then His power does us no good! He must be available.
Praise God, He is!
Notice verse 32.
“Fear not, little flock;”
Using these words Christ is indicating to His hearers that just like a flock has no reason to fear because their Shepard is always near, we as His children never have to fear because our Father is always near.
This implies that He makes Himself available to us.
He is available to each of His children
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He is as close to us as a simple prayer of faith!
There are times when we human parents are not as available as we should be to our children.
Sometimes we are busy.
Sometimes we are estranged from them.
Sometimes one problem or the other gets in the way.
But, the same is not true with God!
He is always near and He is always available, day or night!
D. He is Active
D. He is Active
“Good pleasure to give you the kingdom”
A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (2106. εὐδοκέω)
to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); spec. to approbate (permit) (a person or thing):—think good, (be well) please (-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.
As a earthly father should be active in a childs life, how much more is our heavenly father.
He is always willing to give me that which I need
He thinks good for me
He takes pleasure in me when I obey Him
Only an active Father knows what I need when I need it.
III. Our Role towards the Father
III. Our Role towards the Father
(Ill. While we can count on God doing His part perfectly; there are times when we fall short on our end of this thing.
Just like children have a role in the home
we have a role too.)
A. We Must Have Faith
A. We Must Have Faith
v.29;32
—Notice what the Bible says in verse 29.
We are commanded “neither be ye of doubtful mind.”
This phrase means “to be agitated or harassed with cares.”
It is a term that was used to describe a ship that was being tossed about upon a stormy sea.
Here, it is used a metaphor for worry.
Jesus is saying, “Child of God, do not allow your mind to be tossed up and down by the waves of worry, doubt and fear.”
In verses 32, we are told to “fear not.”
That phrase means “to be out to flight, to be seized with fear.”
This may not mean much to you, but that command is in the “middle voice.”
It could be read this way, “Do not allow yourself to be seized with fear.”
Jesus is challenging us to learn to trust the Lord; regardless of what circumstances may look like.
There are times when it may appear that there is no solution; never count God out!
Learn to look away to Him and to trust in His power in ever single circumstance, Mark 11:22–23; Mark 9:23; Psa. 62:8.
Always remember that we serve a God Who is Sovereign.
That means, He is in absolute control, even when things look impossible, they are not!
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and He will direct thy paths!
B. We Must Be Faithful
B. We Must Be Faithful
v.31
—If we will experience the awesome power of God in our lives day by day; we must learn to be faithful to the Lord.
In other words, He must come first!
The word “seek” in verse 31 means “to crave something.”
We are to crave, or desire the things of God ahead of all other things in our lives.
When we put Him first; God will put us first!
However, when our desires are misplaced; we miss out on the Lord’s best for our lives.
When we pursue the spiritual, God will always see to the material!
When He is first, you never have to worry about the rest.
Now, don’t misunderstand me, God remains faithful even when we fail Him and ignore Him, 2 Tim. 2:13.
But, even though He may go on being our Father; we miss out His best when we fail to put the Lord first in our lives.
Let me encourage you to examine your life and your priorities today.
If God, His Word, time with Him, His house, etc, are not the priorities of your life; then please take whatever steps are necessary to get that straightened out.
Remember, when you put Him first on your priority list, He will place you ate the very top of His.
Conclusion
Conclusion
God truly is the Greatest Father of them all!
God truly is the Greatest Father of them all!
The fact that He would love the unworthy, save them by His grace and adopt them into His family proves this.
Add to this the fact that He looks out for His children and takes care of them in spectacular fashion.
I am glad that He is my Father!
How about you?
Can you honestly say, “Preacher, I am saved by the grace of God? I know that He is my Father and I am His child.”
If you can’t say that, then I want to invite you to come to Him right now and call on Him. If you will, He will save you!
If you are saved, can you honestly say that God and His business are the first priorities of your life? If not, I invite you to come to Him today and so that He can help you get all your priorities in their proper order.
If you are a child of God who has needs in your life and you need help; there is not better place to bring those needs than to the Father Himself. In invite you to come before Him and get the help you need right now.
If you know the Father and know how wonderful He is, I invite you to bow at His feet and tell Him just how you feel about Him. I have a sneaking suspicion that He might like that!
Whatever the needs may be, this altar is open.
Alan Carr, The Sermon Notebook: New Testament, 2015, 1320–1325.