The Dad You Always Wanted
Notes
Transcript
Bart Millard of “Mercy Me” had an abusive father in his childhood. His mother left Bart with his father and ran from that situation. Bart felt all alone. But he met Jesus at a summer church camp his mother had dropped him off at - before she left. The Abuse continued after Bart met Jesus at Camp. Bart had a reason, a purpose, and he discovered his gift - music.
After several years of music tours, he came home to find his dad a changed man. Cancer changed his life, but God changed his life even more. He read the Bible, listened to church on the radio, and had a fresh outlook on life.
Bart wrote in his journal about life not being fair: “I now have the dad I always wanted.”
The Film “I Can Only Imagine” could really shake your life up if you watch it. It is a very real & raw film.
If your dad was Active, Absent, Abusive, or if you were Abandoned - You still can have a Father in Heaven. God can be there for you when no one else is there. GOD WILL ADOPT YOU.
Live as Children of the Heavenly Father.
Live as Children of the Heavenly Father.
Let me describe to you the “Dad You Always Wanted.”
Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered:
Let them also that hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away:
As wax melteth before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God:
Yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:
Extol him that rideth upon the heavens
By his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows,
Is God in his holy habitation.
God setteth the solitary in families:
He bringeth out those which are bound with chains:
But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people,
When thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped
At the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved
At the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain,
Whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
Thy congregation hath dwelt therein:
Thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
5, “A Father - (Ab, av.) of the Fatherless (Orphan).” God is a Father to those in need of a Father Or mother. God is ready and available for anyone who needs someone. GOD WILL ADOPT YOU.
The USA is number 1. Data from the United States Census Bureau shows that nearly 18.5 million children grow up without their fathers, which has in return led to the United States owning the title of the world’s leader in fatherlessness. -FOX
God Adopts Those Who Need a Father.
How many children are awaiting adoption in the United States? Of the 400,000 children in foster care, approximately 117,000 are waiting to be adopted. -(Adoptkids.us)
about 2 million couples are waiting to adopt.
36 families waiting for every 1 child placed for adoption.
Today's Best Illustrations, Volume 5 (Loving Another’s Child)
“When Christine and I found out in 1986 that we weren’t able to have children,” says former relief pitcher Tim Burke, “she wanted to adopt. But I didn’t think I’d be able to love another person’s child.” His wife started praying. That December, says Tim, “Suddenly, I had a deep desire to adopt. I knew the Lord was doing something with the total turnaround in my heart.” By the next December Tim and Christine had adopted a Korean girl.In 1989, while on his way to a 9–3 record with the New York Yankees, they arranged to adopt a Guatemalan boy during the mid-season break. But then Tim was picked to play in the mid-season All-Star game in Anaheim. “I felt that [adopting Ryan] was more important, so I told Christine [I would decline].” But they worked out plans for him to meet her in Guatemala, flying out immediately after the game, which, it turned out, included two innings of shutout pitching.Tim and Christine have since adopted another Korean girl who has suffered brain damage, and a Vietnamese boy. He says, “The intense love I have for my children liberates me to understand God’s unconditional love for us.”
Every Person needs God to be their Heavenly Father, to be BORN AGAIN.
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
“A Father - (Ab, av.) of the Fatherless (Orphan).” God is a Father to those in need of a Father Or mother. God is ready and available for anyone who needs someone.
Live as Children of the Heavenly Father.
Live as Children of the Heavenly Father.
Let me describe to you the “Dad You Always Wanted.”
God is a Perfect Father. 5
God is a Perfect Father. 5
God is a Winner. 1-2
God is Praised. 3-4
God offers Perfect Judgment. 5
God is All-Powerful. 7-8
God Provides What is Needed. 9
God is Kind to Poor People. 10
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite,
To requite it with thy hand:
The poor committeth himself unto thee;
Thou art the helper of the fatherless.
God is a Perfect Father.
God Has a Place For You. 5-6
God Has a Place For You. 5-6
He puts us in “Families” or homes.
God can make a house a home.
God can give an individual a family.
We have blood relatives on earth.
Friends are the family we choose.
We have a church family.
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.
A PLACE of PEACE.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Peace with God. “Sons of God” inside Christ, not outside like enemies.
Peace of Mind.
Peace of Heart.
Peace with Others.
A PLACE of PURPOSE.
God gives us a sense of belonging.
God wants to include you.
God has a plan for your life.
A PLACE with PROSPERITY.
From Prisoners to Prosperity. “Those bound with chains are released to prosperity.” 4 Hebrew Words with 9 words in English.
Much of our prosperity on earth is intangible. NOW.
Set free from the power of sin over you.
Freedom in Christ to do right.
A peaceful and joyful spirit. Glad in Christ.
Pain, Suffering, Poverty, are all part of life and the sin curse.
Our Heavenly home is full of prosperity. LATER.
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.
God is a Perfect Father.
God Has a Place For You.
God Is Present With You. He Will Never Leave You. 6
God Is Present With You. He Will Never Leave You. 6
God is not far away. He is involved in your life!
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
For I am desolate and afflicted.
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.
Psalm 68 is a message from God to David about how the Lord affirms, appreciates, and accepts us. HE Does Not Leave Us ALONE on earth...
You are not a solitary, lonely person when you are in God’s family.
Dads, Be a present participant in your family.
Affirmation.
Kids need constant affirmation. Let them know they are valuable and important to you. Our words and actions and time spent can affirm value. Kids need to know they are loved NO MATTER WHAT.
We live in a performance based society. Much of religion is also performance based. “Do this to make God love you more.” Not true. Impossible.
Coaching 9-10 year old baseball made me revisit my childhood. I asked my parents “Did I ever cry after striking out, or dropping the ball?” They did not recall me ever crying in a game. Some of my team would have huge tears as soon as they turned around from striking out. The display of emotion is discouraging to the rest of the team. Passion is good. Anger and tears are not helpful.
I emphasized to each player- I chose you. I wanted you on our team. Even if you drop the ball or strike out - you are still important to the team.
Appreciation.
We love our kids, but do not always express appreciation. Appreciation is the “recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.” Catch them doing right. Offer legitimate praise and recognition of what is right. Correct when needed, but don’t just correct your kids. Show appreciation for the good.
Acceptance.
God accepts you. You can accept your kids. They are not an inconvenience. They are not in the way. They are not holding you back. Accept them. Include your kids in your hobbies. Do work together. Play games together. Spend time together.
Conclusion: When Bart Millard wrote his song: “I Can Only Imagine,” he was thinking about what heaven would be like. He imagined his dad with God the Father, I Heaven.
Bart’s father died. While singing his song for the first time for a live audience, the filmmakers caught to emotion of the moment and Bart imagining his dad standing and clapping for him in the audience.
EVERY CHILD LONGS FOR ACCEPTANCE, APPRECIATION, and AFFIRMATION. Dad’s you are big part of the formation of your children. Do your part. Imitate God.
GOD IS THE DAD YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED:
Live as Children of the Heavenly Father.
Live as Children of the Heavenly Father.
God is a Perfect Father.
God Has a Place For You.
God Is Present With You.
RESPONSE:
May God help me to be a more involved parent: Acceptance, appreciation, and affirmation.
I want to know more about salvation. Can I be saved, be a child of God?