Abba! Father!
Notes
Transcript
Good morning everyone!
I’m Gill…if you don’t know me, come to church more.
Had the pleasure and blessing of preaching here for almost a year.
We missed the campout. Karen's foot was hurt. How was it? Who all went????
I was pretty sad, last year we got baptized up on the mountain in the cold water of Joe’s Valley. It was amazing.
Today, I have been saved for almost two years now. I want to take a few minutes and talk about how my life is different today from two years ago.
I have such a contrast. Growing up, I thrived on trouble. I hated authority. I loved self though. I loved to feel good. Drugs and alcohol were my focus. They were the center of my life. I did them, and when I didn’t have them, they are all I thought about. There were several sins sprinkled on top, but those were my favorites.
I consumed them, until they consumed me.
Has anyone seen the meme with the lion? This is how sin works….
(PICTURE)
My lion was full grown. He was 100 times stronger than I was. He was more ruthless, more aggressive than I could ever be. He was sin in it’s completed stage.
I coddled sin. I fed sin, I LOVED sin. Eventually it completely consumed me.
Since being saved, everything has changed.
Some of you know my story. I was changed radically in a moment.
So what changed? My life has gotten dramatically better. Now, I don’t want you to confuse this with the prosperity gospel.
Charlie Kirk said something one time that stuck with me. This was a while before his murder.
He was having this debate as he often did, and he said that there is no area of your life that will not improve if you apply biblical principles to your life.
This happens just by default. If you are sober minded, honest, work hard, are reliable, protect and care for others, love your neighbor, offer to help, speak in love and kindness…overall, your life will improve.
If you live by biblical principles, your life will improve. Guaranteed.
Now, let me show you what that looks like.
People trust me now. I am reliable, my parents actually like me now, and I am a part of their lives, I call my siblings and offer my time that I was so selfish with to others without hesitation.
But that’s just the default reaction to the actions of following biblical principles.
Now I want to share what Christ did for me personally.
I was given FREEDOM. Freedom from sin. Jesus slayed the lion that had its death grip on me. I no longer was a slave to sin.
After that, I was given PEACE. A peace that I cannot describe. A peace that when I lay my head down on my pillow, all there is, is gratitude and joy.
Assurance. Once I figured out what happened to me, I knew I was His. He promises He won’t lose any….NOT a single ONE!!!!!
So I have great rest and confidence in Jesus and His finished work on the cross
What was once, stress, anxiety, hate, doubt, disbelief, became peace, joy, assurance and a secure salvation in the One that holds it.
If I made a list of all the things I wanted from salvation, I would have short changed myself. Christ’s plan is so much better.
I wanted to share that, because again, it’s been almost two years, and there is no looking back for me. Jesus has given me a life I could only dream of. Praise His holy name!!!
So some may ask, how do you know it was Him, or how do you know that He saved you.
Lots of things come to mind, but I think my Michael Jordan story tells it best.
You may have heard this, but I’m going to tell it again.
MJ story
This is how I know it was Jesus. My love completely shifted.
I didn’t do anything to change that. I was changed.
Jesus has the power to change, to choose….to adopt. And this is where the text is going to lead us today.
Let's pray and jump into the Word.
So we’re in John 14. The setting is probably a little intense, perhaps somber, Jesus is fully aware of what’s going to happen. The disciples, not so much. They haven’t really digested the weight of the situation just yet.
They’re listening. Jesus, as He has done a few times, is giving them difficult truths.
But then, we get this promise, this hope from Jesus Himself. He is going to send a Helper. His beautiful Spirit to give us strength.
So we’re picking up here.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Some very deep, powerful, and absolutely beautiful scripture here.
Some that ties in quite a bit to what we’ve heard from Jesus already. So we’re going to see some good cross references today that show the love and grace of our Father in Heaven.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
So first off, we have this promise that He will not leave His disciples as orphans. Interesting language there. Orphans. In the Greek, Orphanos. Means someone without parents, or a guardian, or teacher.
Jesus uses the language of orphans here—and when we look across the New Testament, we discover just how beautiful the answer to our orphan condition really is: in Christ, God adopts us as His children.
Jesus tells them this in the context of the promise He just made in sending His Helper, the Holy Spirit, right. So He is not abandoning them, or leaving them without “parents” or a “guardian”.
So if He is not leaving them as orphans, He is bringing them into His family, right?
He is adopting them. This lines up with Paul's approach to the gospel.
Romans 8 - check this out…
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
We see the SAME EXACT language Paul uses with the Galatians.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
And then, let’s see what is said in Ephesians.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
So we see here, God’s sovereignty. Picking sons through Jesus Christ for adoption before He even formed the world.
When someone adopts a child, the process takes time. It takes more than that though. It’s takes a home, it takes parents, it takes an active and intentional decision, It takes money and resources. It is a plan that will eventually complete the family. At least that’s the goal right?
To either bring in a child in efforts to complete your family, or in efforts to complete the child's. Sometimes both.
God did it for us. He adopted us to complete our lives and our family. And so we cry out, ABBA, FATHER! We love you!!!
An orphan has no inheritance.
A son has an inheritance.
An orphan wonders where he belongs.
A son has been given a name and a family.
An orphan has no claim on the father's house.
A son is welcomed home.
An orphan may wonder who will provide for him.
A son says, “Abba, Father.”
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
again:
“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”
Do you understand what Paul just said? God didn't bring you into His house as hired help. He didn't put you on probation. He didn't say, ‘Let's see how you perform for a couple years and then we'll decide whether you're family.’ If you are in Christ, you're His child. And if you're His child, you're an heir.
This is how the gospel works. It’s God giving favor, not people earning it.
This all works together. Now, next He says I will come to you…..
Ummmm, when?
Are we talking after the resurrection, when He shows up and reveals He is alive? Are we talking in His Spirit? At Pentecost? The second coming? Revelation?
Maybe John at this point was shadowing all 3. But either way, Jesus is faithful, and any of these would be sufficient, but He has done two and the third is on the way.
Verses 19 and 20
Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
The world will see me no more, but you will. Given the context, Jesus here is talking about His immediate cruicifixion and resurrection, but He goes on...
So Jesus talks of this time of knowledge, this time where we have this assurance in Him and in our eternity. Our place in Heaven is secured and we know that because of Jesus and what He has not only done, but based on who He is. He secures it, so we can be confident in Him and His promises. Love that!!!
I love that we can have that assurance. I think John MacArthur said it best, if we could lose our salvation, we would.
If it was up to us, we would all no doubtably fall short. But it's not. God planned to save us before we even needed saving….wow….
Verse 21
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them. People are squirming in their seats right now hun?
What does this mean? If I don’t keep all His commandments, I don’t love Him? And even WORSE…He doesn’t love me???
obedience doesn't cause our adoption, but there is a relational experience of God's love and fellowship associated with walking with Christ
What this is saying, is those who have received His Word, those who He has chosen, will reflect that. They will reflect they have been chosen. They will begin take after their father. They will start to show traits of His love and His characteristics.
Many religions get caught up in legalism. You have to do this or that, you have to keep the law or God will not choose you, He will not love you, He will not save you!!!
See, that’s not the gospel though. It’s actually backwards. While we were sinners, Christ died for us.
He loved us first!
Because of that love, when He opens our eyes, and we see Him as the glorious God and Savior He is, We can’t help it. We fall in love with Him.
And if that’s not enough, He sends His glorious Spirit to guide us, assure us, and help us along the way.
Transitioning right into this next passage….
How does He manifest Himself to us? He will let us know. What does that look like?
The presence of the Spirit. Our desires have been shifted. We no longer have this desire for the world. We now find joy in obedience. Not perfect obedience, but we strive because we truly love Him.
And when we truly love someone, we honor them, we listen to them, we acknowledge them, we trust them, we obey them!!! Especially when we know they know best.
We have this identifier of spiritual fruit. Good or bad. Some are good at hiding their bad fruit, but eventually everyone will see that it’s rotten.
All will come to light.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
So this flows right from the last passage. Jesus saying again, there will be this identifier of the Spirit. These who love Him will keep His word. And then what……The Father will love them. Notice what it does not say.
It does not say that the Father will love them BECAUSE they keep His word. He will love them, because He chose to love them. Not because He found favor in their actions.
And we will come to him and make our home with him.
What’s that mean now? We all shaking up in house in San Diego? Beach front?
Quick side note, the Jehovah’s witnesses built a house in San Diego in the early 1900’s for the return of David, Elijah, Isaiah, and other who they believed were coming after Jesus’s secret return in 1914. When the prophets and stuff didn’t show up, The leader of the JW’s at the time, Joseph Rutherford actually moved in and lived there.
Anyway, so back to our text, so where is this home? It is in us.
We are the dwelling place of God.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
We do not belong to ourselves, the world or anyone else. Christ purchased His chosen, He bought them with His own blood, His own suffering, and ultimately, His own death.
His resurrection defeated death, and secured our resurrection in Him. It’s amazing you guys.
These are the same powers that hold the universe together. Our God can save anyone.
No soul is too far lost. Paul says in scripture he was the chief sinner. I feel like I could give him a run for his money.
So if God can change someone like Paul, and someone like me, not comparing myself to Paul, but if God can radically make people new, His power isn’t limited on any earthly level.
These are divine, incredible miracles that we see when someone is saved. We see the very power of God at work. How amazing is that????
Last verse….
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
So that identifier again. If someone does not love Christ, they won’t keep His word. They may do good works, and they may say they love Him, but I can identify with this deeply.
See, before I was saved, I believed in Christ. I tried to do good works. But it was never out of total adoration for my Savior, it was to try to earn His love, earn His forgiveness. Or even look good to others. My motives were completely off….
See, I was trusting in a works based gospel and didn’t even realize it.
When I finally got to the end, I realized there wasn’t a darn thing I could do. I could not earn the love of God, I could not earn His forgiveness. It had to be given
I was completely broke, empty, lost, and ultimately dead and consumed by sin.
My lion had me.
But God, rich in His grace and mercy, saved me.
He sent His one and only Son to pay my penalty on the cross. The cross I deserve for how I have lived.
Jesus lived perfectly and deserved only glory and worship. Yet He steps down and out of an abundance of love, mercy and grace, saves His children.
What a God.
Then He tells us that the words He brings are the words of the Father. Jesus again, submitting to the will of the Father.
Showing His perfect obedience and love. We see that all throughout the gospels.
So when we put all of this together, look at what Jesus has shown us.
“I will not leave you as orphans.”
That's where we started.
And maybe that's the best way I can describe what happened to me almost two years ago.
I was lost.
I was dead in my sin.
I had fed that lion until it was stronger than me, and eventually it consumed me.
I couldn't beat it.
I couldn't clean myself up enough.
I couldn't do enough good works.
I couldn't earn God's forgiveness.
I couldn't save myself.
But God could.
And He did.
Jesus didn't just break the chains and then leave me standing there.
He didn't just forgive me and send me on my way.
He brought me into the family.
The orphan became a son.
The slave became free.
The guilty was forgiven.
The dead was made alive.
And the sinner who spent his life running from God can now cry out:
“Abba! Father!”
That's adoption.
And look at how beautiful John 14 is.
Jesus begins by saying:
“I will not leave you as orphans.”
And then He tells us:
“Because I live, you also will live.”
Then:
“You in me, and I in you.”
And finally:
“We will come to him and make our home with him.”
Do you see where Jesus took us?
From orphan...to home.
That's the gospel.
Jesus didn't merely rescue an orphan.
He brought the orphan home.
And He paid an unimaginable price to do it.
Not silver.
Not gold.
Not because we earned it.
He purchased His people with His own blood.
Jesus Christ lived the life we couldn't live. He obeyed perfectly. He went to the cross carrying the judgment sinners deserve. He died. He was buried.
And on the third day...
He walked out of that grave.
And because He lives, Jesus says:
“You also will live.”
So today, my confidence isn't that I'm a better man than I was two years ago.
I am.
But that's not my hope.
My confidence isn't in my obedience.
My confidence isn't in my preaching.
It's not in how much Scripture I know.
It's not in how good of a week I've had.
My confidence is Jesus Christ.
His life.
His blood.
His cross.
His resurrection.
His finished work.
And if you're in Christ today, you're not an orphan trying to convince God to let you into His house.
You're His child.
You have a Father.
You have a Savior.
You have His Spirit dwelling within you.
You have an inheritance waiting for you.
You have a home.
And if you're sitting here today and you don't know Christ, don't hear my story and think, “Gill cleaned his life up.”
Because you completely missed the point.
I couldn't clean it up.
My lion had me.
Jesus saved me.
And the same Christ who raises dead sinners to life is still saving sinners today.
So I think after almost two years, I can sum up everything Christ has done for me pretty simply:
I was dead.
He gave me life.
I was a slave.
He set me free.
I was guilty.
He paid my debt.
I was an orphan.
He called me son.
And I was far from home...
but Jesus brought me home.
What a Savior.
What a Father.
What a God.
Praise His holy name.
Let's pray.
