What's God Really Like?: Father's Day 2020

Introduction:

Have you ever just got something so wrong? I mean you saw things one way and then, with a simple change of perspective, your whole view shifted?

My perception of myself is not always correct

Being a trainer and seeing really out of shape dudes flex in the mirror and believe it

I thought I was patient until I got married…until I had kids...

I think I get grace…except when it comes at the expense of my offense

Grace can’t fully operate if there isn’t an

I think I ‘get’ love…except when it means that I have to give up what I’m entitled too

Forgiveness won’t take form until there is an offense to cover

I think I ‘get’ UNITY....especially when everyone agrees with me

Unity can’t take full form until a conflict is resolved

>>>> How do you see God? <<<<<<<

The Problem: We often see God through our painful experiences

Where there was supposed to be safety, there was abuse

Where there was supposed to be acceptance, there was rejection...

Where there was supposed to be presence (emotionally, physically) there was absence

My perception of God will determine my pursuit of Him:

Paul writes...

Ephesians 1:4–5 NLT

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 1:6–8 ESV

to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

Ephesians 1:16–17 NLT

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Ephesians shows us the correct picture of God and us...

God is a good Father

I am a loved Child

This revelation alone will free us from years of confusion, doubt, comparison and shame. When I have the right perception of God...

Jesus told a story once that illustrates God the Father...

Man has two sons and the younger takes his money and lives crazy

Son ends up in poverty so hungry he wants to eat pig food

Luke 15:17–19 NLT

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’

Jesus’ picture of the Father just keeps getting better...

Luke 15:20–24 NLT

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

1. My perception of God will determine my pursuit of Him

The son’s perception of his dad changed so he changed his pursuit

One phrase stands out to me: “when he finally came to his senses” (vs.17)

When he changed his mind AND his heart….through repentance

He decided that his father would at least treat him like a slave and that was enough to get him moving towards home

The Father’s perception of his son NEVER changed so he continued his pursuit

Father’s don’t run but this one did

Father’s would never forgive like that but this one did

But instead of a slave…he reinstates him as a son…

but it all changed with the right perspective ..my perception determines my pursuit...

Story: My first date with my wife was at Applebee’s

My perception determines my pursuit

Now let’s take a look at another perception problem...

Luke 15:29 NLT

29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.

2. You can be in God’s House and still miss God’s heart

Explain: How do we miss God’s heart

When we take our salvation for granted

When we don’t see him as a good Father

When we can’t rejoice over someone who gets healed/restored/forgiven

When we forget that we are saved by the GRACE of the Father and not the WORKS of a slave

Story: My dad died when I was 12

I did a few prodigal things…but for the most part I was the other son

I worked hard for God’s love…to earn it…to deserve it…to get something that I already had by his grace.

Someone told me, ‘Pat, at some point you will have to simply exist as a child loved by God and that will either be enough for you or nothing ever will be.’

When I stopped seeing God as someone who I constantly needed to impress or prove myself to, then my experience of His love grew so much deeper.

So What? What do we need to do?

Move Closer

Come to our senses: Change of Heart and Change of Mind

(Why do they need to do this?)

Only by seeing God as He is, as He describes Himself, will we walk out our true identity of freed sons and daughters

Conclusion: My perception of God will determine my pursuit of Him

Sometimes Kids have an incredible perception about things...

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”—Jessica, age 8

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”—Rebecca, age 8

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.”—Billy, age 4

How do we see God? How do we picture his love? What words would we use?

Salvation Call and Prayer

Alternate Conclusion:

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”—Jessica, age 8

Ephesians 1:7-8 tells us that he LAVISHES or SHOWERS us with love, kindness and grace! Because we are His Children

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”—Rebecca, age 8

Transition to Video:The story in Luke is simply a foreshadow to the REALITY of the cross

It’s at the cross that our adoption was sealed..As we watch this next element..Let’s remember the love of the Father shown in the power of the cross. Let’s take a look......Dance Element: “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.”—Billy, age 4