Relationship to the Father

Importance of relationship with Father

Statistics show the importance

Games/Skills where you finally “get it”

Like juggling…1, then 2, then 3

READ John 14:7-15

Thomas has asked directions

Now Philip gets a shot at a clarifying point

(REM - Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus)

Philip declared Jesus to be the one Moses spoke of and pointed to

Philips KNOWS that relationship with Yahweh, the Father, the Creator, is necessary

So Jesus helps him follow the truth…

14 times in this passage - “Father” and/or “His”

The Path of Relationship with the Father (reality)

Broken with sin - rebellion

Father offers redemption

Relationship restored - reconciliation

Life lived for Him - responsibility

The Path of Relationship

Think of parenting, dads.

Set expectations

Deal with mistakes kids make

Teach kids to repent and ask forgiveness

Grant forgiveness

Set the expectations - again

(REPEAT)

Spiritually, our relationship with the Father is very much the same (actually, the pattern originated with Him)

1) Rebellion

Born Sinners

Romans 3:23 NASB95

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Ecclesiastes 7:20 NASB95

Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

Yahweh set clear expectations - man failed - SINNED

We must own the rebellion that is sin

(It’s NOT someone else’s fault)

This is willful, we are born into sin, and we act on it

Affects EVERYone

Culture - people are born inherently good (so theoretically people could live a perfect life)

Bible - David says “in sin did my mother conceive me” - meaning sin is in the person from the beginning

So, as sinners, we are separated from God (Is. 59:2 example) - and remain that way, if nothing is done about it

Get it?

2) Redemption

Jesus makes the offer, initially extended by Yahweh Himself

Genesis 3:15 NASB95

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

The very mission of Jesus is to redeem sinners, to forge toward reconciliation

(Primary focus - testify to the truth, and redemption is true)

1 Timothy 1:15 NASB95

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

The choice is on the individual to move from rebellion to accept redemption (paid for)

Christ paid everything necessary

Get it?

3) Reconciliation

Jesus offered the way to reconciliation with the Father

Jesus - going to prepare a place - paying for your sin (redeeming)

Jesus - going to where the Father is, to one day return to bring us there

Reconciliation, healing the sinner, that is the work of the Father, through Jesus

AND JESUS IS GOD - He has been saying as much

John 5:17 NASB95

But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”

John 10:30 NASB95

“I and the Father are one.”

Philip is asking to see the Father, when Jesus is right there in front of him!

See, the offer is for reconciliation to God, including the Father AND the Son (and the Spirit confirms this)

2 Corinthians 5:18 NASB95

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

No working your way to forgiveness, Jesus already did the work

Your action is the response - repent and ask

NOW - as born again, reconciled-to-the-Father believers - ASK God

ASK - ASK

(see v 13f)

We get to ask in the name of Jesus

Because of what He has done

And asking in His name means asking for what HE wants

Psalm 37:4 NASB95

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Asking in Jesus’ name, for the purpose of glorifying the Father

And Jesus says, “Ask ME in MY name..” clearly equating Himself with the Father

Asking God to change and shape your desires, to give you the desires you should have, and then asking for those desires to be fulfilled

THAT IS PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS!

Then, when you ask for help to live for Him, get ready…

Say hello to opportunity

Get it?

4) Responsibility

Relationship restored

Now the believer has responsibility

Obey His commandments

ACTUAL CONTEXT

Stand out from the world!

(You = the church, applies to all believers)

The basic commandments:

Love God, love others as self

Sinners (of which we are all) - repent and ask forgiveness

Personal - took me to get saved to realize that I had the PERFECT father now - I GOT IT (juggling)

With redemption and reconciliation comes responsibility!

Yahweh offered (still offers) redemption and reconciliation, in order for believers to be holy - to stand out from the world - to live responsibly as believers

It can be hard!

Forget that, it IS hard!!

Church

We must be willing to be aligned with God’s Word

Sharpen each other - encouraged, emboldened

Then we can be confident to take that courage to the world - and stand out

Yahweh will give each of you opportunity to make decisions that show you follow Him

What are your spiritual habits? They indicate how you will respond?

When you have the chance to come worship, or the chance to specifically serve Him - what gets in the way - for YOU?

The level to which you serve Him and surrender to Him…

Clearly shows how much you love Him

He knows it

You know it - just be honest

Those nearest to you - know it

Your decision to obey Jesus affects:

Yahweh - pleases Him

Others - they get to see the work of Jesus in you, prompting questions

You - provides peace and contentment

Thomas asked directions - good on Him

Philip asked to see the Father, and kind of steps into a rebuke

How does He respond?

Acts 6 - one of the first deacons

Acts 8 - evangelist in Samaria, then to Ethiopian eunuch, then to Azotus

Acts 21 - Paul and Luke stop in and stay with him

Crucified a martyr

Maybe this passage is a rebuke to you, you are each in an aspect of relationship to the Father

Rebellion - some have never gotten saved, no intention

Redemption/Reconciliation - some considering the offer

Responsibility - deciding if you love Jesus enough to obey Him

Wherever you are in that…

ASK the Father in Jesus’ name to help you

ASK Jesus in Jesus’ name to help you

He promises He will, personally

Then…like Philip, since you “get it” you can go live it! That is the ministry given to every believer

Live it, share it.

How to get saved - ASK

How to accept redemption to be reconciled - ASK

How to get wisdom to take responsibility - ASK