Showing posts with label God as Father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God as Father. Show all posts

Sunday, 18 August 2024

What is an Orphan Spirit? How You Can Experience God as Your Good Father Today

Discover the concept of an orphan spirit and learn how to experience God as your loving Father, transforming your spiritual journey with His grace and love.

In this message, we explore the concept of the orphan spirit and how it impacts our relationship with God. Learn how to experience God as your good, good Father and transform your spiritual journey with His love and grace. Discover practical steps to heal from an orphan spirit and embrace the fatherhood of God in your daily life. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on deepening your faith and understanding God's love.

Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Creative Storyteller at https://revtrev.com. Subscribe and set notifications on YouTube at https://revtrev.com/tv and visit https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

Orphan Spirit

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Read Psalm 68:1-6

Someone left a comment on our church website.

“Do you have any further study of God as a Father? I have an orphan spirit from my past and a leader has said that to defeat it I need to study the fatherness of God.”

I thought it was a great question, and was surprised to learn I’ve never addressed it head on.

As I got into studying on it, I realized I had more than enough material for at least six messages and understood God was prompting me to change my plans for one of the courses I know He wants to do. It’s coming together amazingly and you’ll reap the benefit of it first.

The problem with the “Orphan Spirit”

The problem is the Bible never talks about the “orphan spirit” it’s a term we’ve coined more recently to describe a situation that many Christians find themselves in.

An "orphan spirit" is a term used in some Christian circles to describe a mindset or attitude where a person feels abandoned, rejected, or without a sense of belonging, particularly in a spiritual sense.

This can manifest in feelings of isolation, insecurity, and self-reliance rather than trusting in God's love and provision.

Fatherlessness

The biblical term that is often associated with the concept of an "orphan spirit" is "fatherless" and that feeling of fatherlessness that can be a better term to reflect the condition of being without a father, which can imply feelings of abandonment, lack of guidance, and emotional pain.

Let me highlight what I see in the Bible around fatherlessness. We are told…

8 things the Bible says God is to the Fatherless

God is…

1. ...a father to the fatherless Psalm 68:5

(NJKV) "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."

2. …a helper to the fatherless Psalm 10:14

(NKJV) "But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless."

3. …a protector of the fatherless Jeremiah 49:11

(NKJV) "Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me."

4. …the one who shows mercy to the fatherless Hosea 14:3

(NKJV) "Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say anymore, 'To the work of our hands we will not rise.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy."

5. …the one who vindicates the fatherless Psalm 10:18

(NKJV) "To vindicate the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more."

6. …the one who executes justice for the fatherless Deuteronomy 10:18

(NKJV) "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing."

7. …the one who relieves the fatherless Psalm 146:9

(NKJV): "The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down."

8. …the one who places the lonely in families Psalm 68:6

(NLT) God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

God is speaking about literal orphans, not just someone with an orphan spirit.

But it does show us his heart towards those who feel and act like an orphan, even when they are amazingly loved by Him.

God’s heart is for the fatherless. He is as a protector and provider for those who are fatherless, highlighting His desire to fill the void left by earthly fathers.

We see His heart towards them in how He wants us to show His heart to them:

11 Ways the Bible Says we are to treat the Widows and Fatherless

God wants us to…

1. …worship him by visiting the fatherless James 1:27

(NKJV): "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

2.…care for the fatherless Proverbs 19:17

(NLT): If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!

3. …defend the fatherless Psalm 82:3

(NKJV): "Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy."

4. ..never mistreat the fatherless Exodus 22:22-24

(NKJV) "You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.”

5. …never oppress the fatherless Zechariah 7:10

(NKJV): "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother."

6. …never steal from the fatherless Isaiah 10:1-2

(NKJV): "Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless."

7. …never pervert justice against the fatherless Deuteronomy 24:17

(NKJV): "You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow's garment as a pledge."

8. …never steal the land of the fatherless Proverbs 23:10-11

(NKJV): "Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you."

9. …never do violence against the fatherless Jeremiah 22:3

(NKJV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.'"

10. …stand up for the fatherless Isaiah 1:17

(NKJV): "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

11. …speak for those who can’t speak for themselves Proverbs 31:8-9

(NLT) Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

We are to show God’s heart to people who have God’s attention, even if they don’t feel they have His attention.

How do you know if you have an orphan spirit?

An "orphan spirit" is a made up term and with made up terms I feel we can do better. I’ve too often seen someone in a position of power tell someone “You’re operating from an orphan spirit” to put someone in their place who offers a different perspective that they disagree with.

I think the term “feeling of fatherlessness” is better because it’s a feeling, not a position.

It moves it from something I need to be cast out of me and I need to be delivered from to something I can confess and repent of —as I’m convicted and prompted and empowered by Holy Spirit.

It’s like I have responsibility but it’s Holy Spirit’s work in me.

There is a metanoia - a changing of our mind, a repentance that needs to take place. But the difference is how we think and feel and not on who we are.

Does “feeling Fatherless” make better sense?

Feeling Fatherless refers to a mindset or attitude that manifests a sense of abandonment, lack of belonging, and feelings of inadequacy. Individuals with this mindset may exhibit several characteristics. Here are some common traits along with biblical citations that encourage positive change in the emotion:

8 Characteristics of Feeling Fatherless and what to remember

  1. Feelings of abandonment
  2. Fear of Rejection
  3. Insecure Identity
  4. Striving for Approval
  5. Isolation and Withdrawal
  6. Difficulty Trusting Others
  7. Bitterness and Resentment
  8. . Lack of Purpose

1. Feelings of Abandonment

People with an orphan spirit often feel abandoned and alone, leading to deep emotional pain.

Remember: Psalm 27:10 (NKJV): "When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me."p

2. Fear of Rejection

A constant fear of being rejected can stem from feeling unloved or unaccepted.

Remember 1 John 4:18 (NLT): "Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."

3. Insecure Identity

Feeling Fatherless can lead to uncertainty about one’s identity and worth.

Remember Galatians 4:7 (NLT): "Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir."

4. Striving for Approval

Individuals may strive excessively for approval and validation from others, feeling they must earn love.

Remember Ephesians 1:6 (NLT): "So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son."

5. Isolation and Withdrawal

A tendency to isolate themselves due to fear or past hurts can be prevalent.

Remember Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT): "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

6. Difficulty Trusting Others

A distrustful attitude towards others can be common, stemming from feelings of betrayal or hurt.

Remember Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

7. Bitterness and Resentment

An orphan spirit may lead to feelings of bitterness towards others, particularly authority figures.

Remember Hebrews 12:15 (NLT): "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."

8. Lack of Purpose

Individuals may struggle with a sense of purpose or direction in life, feeling lost or aimless.

Remember Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT): "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

The characteristics associated with an orphan spirit can create significant barriers to experiencing love, acceptance, and fulfillment in life. Recognizing these traits can be the first step toward healing and embracing one's identity as a beloved child of God.

Those are tips to help you see if you’re feeling fatherless and how you can start not working out of fatherlessness. Sometimes that’s all somebody needs.

You make the decision to stop thinking from lack and what you don’t have and start being thankful for all you have and those verses become anchors for you to think God’s thoughts about your situation. You confess your thinking not God’s thoughts, train your brain to think God’s thoughts.

And you’re good. You realize God is good, and is working all things together for the good of making you more and more like Jesus, so you’re good.

But others may have a bit of a journey to get to the place that you don’t think I’m doing you a disservice to you to make you think slapping a Bible verse on a feeling is all you need to change it.

The length of your journey has little to do with how long you’ve been a follower of Christ and more to do with the lies you believe.

(This is where this one message becomes at least five more. )

How do you Break the (Orphan Spirit) Feeling of Fatherlessness?

To break the feeling of fatherlessness you need to know you have a Father who loves you. It can’t be head knowledge alone, it needs to be worked into the day-to-day of your everyday.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that you need to live LOVED

What does it mean to Live LOVED?

That’s a great question. Here’s what the Bible tells us about what living loved looks like.

If you’re not growing more and more like this, you may be hindered by feelings of fatherlessness…

To live loved means that we’re loved…

and the fact we’re loved by God is most important. John 16:27, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:1; 4:10;19, Revelation 1:5
Because God’s love for us surpasses knowledge Ephesians 3:17-19
and nothing can separate us from His love…Romans 8:35-39
…remembering God is love and love comes from God 1 John 4:7-8;16
…and he disciplines those He loves. Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19

To live loved means that we love God…

…with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength. Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27
…more than the earliest, dearest and nearest love. Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:25
…more than anything else in this world. Matthew 6:24,Luke 16:13, 1 John 2:15
and show it by obeying Jesus…John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10, 1 John 4:18-22, 1 John 2:3-5, 1 John 3:10 , 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John 1:6
…helping his people Hebrews 6:10, 1 John 3:11,17-18
…caring for the least of these Matthew 25:32-40
and seeking His Kingdom in all things… Matthew 6:33
Knowing we’re promised a crown of life…. James 1:12

To live loved means we love in action and truth

Our motivation is love… 1 Corinthians 16:14, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Galatians 5:6, Colossians 3: 17
Our labour is prompted by love… 1 Thessalonians 1:3
We’re generous… 2 Corinthians 8:7-8
We speak the truth in love… Ephesians 4:15
We walk in love… Ephesians 5:1
We grow in love… Philippians 1:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:10
We keep ourselves in God’s love… Jude 1:21
We have peace and are thankful… Colossians 3:14-15
We find comfort in love… Philippians 2:1
Our love springs from hope… Colossians 1:5
We have compassion, kindness, humility and patience Colossians 3:12

To live loved means we love each other

We love each other as we love ourselves… Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, 1 John 4:10-11; 2 John 1:5
Because He first loved us… 1 John 4:19-20
Our love is sincere, we’re devoted to one another with brotherly love and honour one another above ourselves… Romans 12:9-10
We share with God’s people who are in need and practice hospitality… Romans 12:13
We forgive… Colossians 3:13-14
We are patient, kind. We don’t envy, don’t boast and are not proud… 1 Corinthians 13:4
We are not rude, we’re not self-seeking, we’re not easily angered… 1 Corinthians 13:5
We’re unoffendable and keep no record of being wronged… 1 Corinthians 13:5
We always protect, always trust, always hope and always persevere. 1 Corinthians 13:7
We are united together John 17:23
And can’t be motivated by fear 1 John 4:18
Knowing love covers a multitude of sins 1 Peter 4:8
The only debt that remains outstanding is our debt to love one another…Romans 13:8

To live loved means we love even our enemies

We don’t take revenge… Romans 12:19
If our enemy is hungry we feed them or thirsty we give them something to drink…Romans 12:20
We bless those who curse us… Luke 6:28
We pray for those who persecute us…Matthew 5:44
If someone strikes one cheek, we turn the other to them…Matthew 5:39
We represent our Father who is love and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous…Matthew 5:45

Are you living LOVED?

How can you live that way? How can you live more and more this way?

That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.

You can live knowing you are LOVED. We’ll use the word LOVED to help us remember.

How to Live LOVED Tool

L - Leave pretence behind
O - Operate out of who God says you are
V - Value revelation
E - Embark on having well-healed wounds
D - Draw ever-deeper into His love

L - Leave pretence behind

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Are you honest with God? Do you regularly pour out your heart to him? Learn to do this, it will serve you well for now and all eternity.

Be honest with God. The most powerful tool to be honest with God is to use the phrase: “It’s not that it’s true, but it feels that it’s true that…”

Your emotions tell you what you actually believe. For example—Since the God of all hope fills us with all peace and joy as we trust in him… if I don’t have peace and joy, I know I’m not trusting him. So I can go to him and ask him “What am I not trusting you in or for?” He will show me. I’ve asked for wisdom, he gives it generously without finding fault. Then I agree with him—that’s confession, confession is agreeing with God. Repentance is changing my mind and turning around and going in the opposite direction. Then I have peace and joy again.

Tip:

Use the language of the Psalms. Psalms are emotional truth. They will stretch your theological comfort at times.

To live loved you need to stop pretending with God.

The good news is..

The surprise is for you, not Him. He won’t ever be surprised (Psalm 139:1-4) or disappointed in you (Romans 8:38-39).

Am I done with pretending with God?

O - Operate out of who God says you are

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

You do good works because of who God says you are, not to get his approval or others approval. You don’t do it for the show, or do it for the dough. You don’t do it for the worry or do it for the hurry. This is what Jesus told us in the sermon on the mount, you know the message where he revealed more and more and more about our good Father.

Tip:

Go to https://revtrev.com/realme and print off your personalized identity in Christ. Print it off and start memorizing or reminding yourself of it.

The good news is…

He empowers you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Am I living out who God says I am?

V - Value revelation

Romans 8:15-17 "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ."

Since you’ve received him and believed in his name, you have the right to be a child of God (John 1:12). Since you are led by the Spirit you show you are a child of God (Romans 8:14-16) Since you are in Christ through faith, you are a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27). You have been chosen before creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4-5) as all his children have. See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are (1 John 3:1).

That’s our theological understanding. How do we move it from thought to practice?

Tip: Be grateful for what’s been revealed to you, ask Holy Spirit to teach you how to make that make a difference in your life.

The good news is…

Holy Spirit does the work of transformation. Our role is to be in the Book.

Do I value the revelation of His love I have right now?

E - Embark on having well-healed wounds

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

The first time I heard this phrase it came out of my mouth as a word of knowledge. I was teaching at a church in Calgary on how to fast from negativity. I said something like “Some of you take pride in your wounds and you need to know God takes pleasure in your well-healed wounds.” Afterwords…

When Jesus showed his disciples his nail-scarred hands and offered to show them his wounded side, he was showing them well healed wounds.

Well healed wounds are what he wants for us.

Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them?

It’s only when you have well-healed wounds that you can.

Tip:

It could take:
- counselling,
- community,
- forgiveness,
- living unoffended at God.

Miracles can happen, but often God uses process. If you’ve been wounded in community, you need to be healed in community.

The good news is…

He works all things together to make us more and more like Jesus. He will finish the good work He’s started in you.

Are my wounds healing well?

D - Draw ever-deeper into His love

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIVUK) For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Tip:

We want to learn to value God’s opinion more than our own.

Since he rejoices to see the work begin in us to recognize His love for us and alignment of our lives to live loved, it’s ok if we’re not a finished product.

There may be days we don’t live like Jesus told us to live. He reminds us on the sermon on the mount that we have a good Father in heaven in…

The good news is…

Your Father...
...sees what is done in secret and will reward you
...knows what you need
...sees what is done in secret and will reward you
... forgives you
...sees what is done in secret and will reward you
... feeds and takes care of the needs...
... knows that you need them.
Your Father is perfect.

Do I have a growing revelation of God’s incomprehensible love?

How can you better understand God as Father?

Learn to Live LOVED

L - Leave pretence behind Psalm 62:8 Am I done with pretending with God?
O - Operate out of who God says you are Ephesians 2:10 Am I living out who God says I am?
V - Value ongoing revelation Romans 8:15-17 Do I value the revelation of His love I have right now?
E - Embark on having well-healed wounds Psalm 147:3 Are my wounds healing well?
D - Draw ever-deeper into His love Ephesians 3:14-19 Do I have a growing revelation of God’s incomprehensible love?

Conclusion

There is no biblical term called the Orphan Spirit. There is a position that lead to disadvantage called fatherlessness that God shows his heart for and instructs us to care for.

Feeling Fatherless -what some people call the orphan spirit- is broken through the ever-revealing, never fully understanding revelation of the love of God and responding to His love by living LOVED.

My prayer for you today is Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:17-21, 3:16-19 (NIVUK)

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I speak against any feelings of fatherlessness and call out for wounds to be well-healed. I speak peace to storms and faith where doubts assail. I speak life. I speak hope. I speak joy…

You are loved. Live LOVED.

Podcasts, Live Cast and Training on knowing God

Read more at >>> http://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-know-god-as-father/

Next steps to BE REAL with GOD

Check out the Live LOVED - Know and Enjoy Your Good Father Course

know and enjoy your good Father

Discover the joy of a deeper relationship with God in "Live LOVED." This course explores the profound love of the Good Father through engaging discussions and reflective exercises. Learn to embrace your identity as His cherished child and experience God's love in your daily life. Join us on this journey to cultivate peace, purpose, and belonging, whether you're new to faith or seeking deeper understanding. Embrace the transformative love that awaits you!

http://revtrev.link/LiveLOVED

Monday, 3 June 2024

How to know God as Father

Knowing God as Father can be simple, or very complicated. It often depends on how we knew our own fathers. Learn to have well-healed wounds and respond to the revelation we have with Father God.

Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com. Subscribe and set notifications on YouTube at https://revtrev.com/tv and visit https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

God as Father

I was asked if I had further study on god as Father. The good news I do-just look below. The problem that many have is that we’ve all had imperfect fathers, so to understand God as Father, we can have difficulties. When we come from homes with silent or absent or abusive fathers, we may not naturally be able to relate to God as Father. But that’s a profound way He has revealed himself to us, and how Jesus taught us to address Him.

Here’s some of the ways I’ve cover emphasized God as Father.

Podcasts, Live Cast and Training on knowing God

This list will be continually updated. If you have any questions about God as Father, leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to cover them.

Live LIGHT

God as father

Monday, 29 April 2024

Enjoying God as Father

Enjoying God as Father - Often we can take it for granted that God is our Father, and few people stop to think what this name really means. Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them? Learn how Jesus made the way for us to be friends again with the Father and why we can't just be servants or friends of God once we acknowledge He is Lord.

Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

enjoying God

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TL/DL/DW Get the notes for Enjoying God as Father

Enjoying God as Father

If you think you comprehend every thing about God, you’ve probably just stopped thinking too hard about Him on some point. Let’s take the concept of the Trinity.

God is one. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Yah, let’s just briefly unpack that a little today. Let’s see how the Bible says they interconnect.

God is One. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Knowing (Omniscient)

Father:
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20)

Son:
“Now we understand that you (Jesus) know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” (John 16:30)

Holy Spirit:
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Present (Omnipresent)

Father:

“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)

Son:

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Holy Spirit:
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. (Psalm 139:7-10)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all All-Loving (Omnibenevolent)

Father:
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Son:
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her (Ephesians 5:25)

Holy Spirit:
Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:30)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all called “God”

Father:
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (Philippians 1:2)

Son:
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

Holy Spirit:
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” (Acts 5:3-4)

On the one hand...

...it shouldn’t surprise us. God is one and God is a tripartate being, because He made is in His image He made us tripartate beings. He made us with Spirit, Soul and Body

Spirit - that is saved and we’re seated together in spiritual places ruling and reigning with Christ Ephesians 2:6

Soul - that is being saved and means in this life we are becoming more and more like Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:18

Body - that will one day be saved and it means we have eternal hope that one day we’ll see Him as He is 1 Thessalonians 4:16

On the other hand…

...if you don’t have questions about how your body, soul and spirit interelate and coexist, you’ve probably just stopped thinking too hard about that at some point.

Today I want to talk to you about the the first part of God’s nature and encourage you to enjoy God as Father.

The Problem

Often we can take it for granted that God is our Father, and few people stop to think what this name really means. Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them?

Does this really matter?

If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.
J.I Packer

If we can’t see God as our our good Father our view of this world and our place in it gets stunted. Jesus wants us to have life and life to the full.

The Story

Throughout the Bible we find God portrayed as a Father. This portrayal, however, is surprisingly rare in the Old Testament.

God is specifically called the

Father of the nation of Israel 8 times see ( Deut 32:6 ; Isa 63:16 ; 64:8 ; Jeremiah 3:4 Jeremiah 3:19 ; 31:9 ; Mal 1:6 ; 2:10 )

Father of certain individuals 15 times see ( 2 Sam 7:14 ; 1 Chron 17:13 ; 22:10 ; 28:6 ; Psalm 68:5 ; 89:26 )

At least another 9 times the father imagery is present although the term "Father" is not used see [ Exod 4:22-23 ; Deut 1:31 ; 8:5 ; 14:1 ; Psalm 103:13 ; Jer 3:22 ; 31:20 ; Hosea 11:1-4 ; Mal 3:17 ]

It’s interesting, there are at least 10 times that Female images of God in Hebrew Scriptures

10 Times There are Female Images of God in Hebrew Scriptures

  1. Genesis 1:27 Women and Men created in God’s image
  2. Hosea 11:3-4 God described as a mother
  3. Hosea 13:8 God described as a mother bear and lioness
  4. Deuteronomy 32:11-12 God described as a mother eagle
  5. Deuteronomy 32:18 God who gives birth
  6. Isaiah 66:13 God as a comforting mother
  7. Isaiah 49:15 God compared to a nursing mother
  8. Isaiah 42:14 God as a woman in labor
  9. Psalm 131:2 God as a Mother
  10. Psalm 123:2-3 God compared to a woman

This shouldn’t surprise us. God create created us in His image. Male and female he created us.

But then came Jesus...

But it wasn’t until Jesus came up out of the water and the Spirit descend like a dove and voice from heaven said “This is my beloved son, in whom I well pleased.

Then we come to the sermon on the mount and listen to the language He uses.

Read Matthew 5:43 - 6:34

Mathew 5:43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 6:1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Father in the sermon on the mount

Your Father is in heaven

Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you

Your Father knows what you need

Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you

Your Father forgives you

Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you

Your Father feeds...

Your Father knows that you need them.

Your Father is perfect

The problem with thinking of God as Father

I know many people have a hard time thinking about God in as“Father”...because of their experience with their earthly Father.

Often when people are abused or abandoned or offended they find it almost impossible to think of God in terms of Father.

But this is the term God defines Himself with…that’s the name Jesus emphasized.

We can’t let our experience define our theology. Our theology is defined by the word of God. Our experience will catch up if we allow it.

Have you ever wondered what the Father is really like?

Do you understand who God the Father is?

It’s too easy for us to look at our own fathers, or the greek god Zeus, or Santa Claus, and assign those attributes to our heavenly Father. But that view would be distorted.

Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 (NLT)

That’s because Jesus was the exact representation of the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)

He only did what He saw the Father do

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. John 6:38 New Living Translation (NLT)

He only said what He heard the Father say

I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
John 12:49-50 New Living Translation (NLT)

So let’s spend some time looking at Jesus so we can see the Father more clearly:

Jesus liked to party. Matthew 11:19 The Father rejoices over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Jesus loved his friends. John 15:13-14 The Father calls you the apple of His eye. Psalm 17:7-8

Jesus didn’t come to condemn. John 3:17 The Father is abounding in love. Psalm 86:5

Jesus healed all who were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38 The Father forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3

Jesus had a passion for the house that consumed Him. John 2:17 The Father has a passion for His possession that is consuming. Zechariah 8:2

Your Father does good acts for you Psalm 103:4-6

Your Father has good thoughts for you Jeremiah 29:11

Your Father provides good protection for you Isaiah 43:1-3

It doesn’t matter what your experience has been with your earthly Father...

God wants you to experience what a real, a good, THE BEST Father can mean to you...

...will you let him?

What if you could trust God as your Good Father?

What if you knew - beyond intellectually - that he was working all things together for good.

What if you beleived - and felt that you believed he was providing everything you need?

What if you lived out the love He has for you?

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38

You might know this intellectually, but do you live it out in the day-to-day of your everyday?

Imagine

What life would be like if you lived it with a greater revelation of Father God? What would you do if you knew…really knew…REALLY KNEW… God was for you and not against you?

Solution

I’ve developed a tool based on what Jesus told us about Our Father in the sermon on the mount.

Am I Trusting God as Father Tool

ACTION

A - Accept God’s view of others

C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving

T - Trust God in private in prayer

I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended

O - Obey God when you fast

N - Neutralize worry in your life

Let’s unpack this...

A - Accept God’s view of others

Jesus said...

...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44

Do you?

Are you facing ridicule at work because you’re a Christian? Are you praying for the ones with the snide remarks? Trust your Daddy, he’ll take care of you.

Am I blessing those who curse me?

C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving

Jesus said...

...when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:4

Do you?

I think this is something everyone does really well here in this church. I haven’t heard anyone stand up to testify how much they’ve given to anyone. It’s great. Your trusting your Father. Keep it up.

Am I letting God repay me for what I give?

T - Trust God in private in prayer

Jesus said...

...when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:6

Do you?

What’s your prayer life like? Do you always pray and never give up? Do you pray for a while and then give up? Trust your father knows what you need and thank him for what you have and what’s to come.

Am I exchanging my problem for God’s peace in prayer?

I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended

Jesus said...

....if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14

Do you?

No? How’s that bitterness treating you? Yes? Awesome. You’re trusting your Father will make it right for you. You’re allowing room for Him to avenge. Keep trusting the Father.

Is there anyone I need to forgive?

O - Obey God when you fast

Jesus said...

...when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:18

Do you?

I think this is another thing people in this church do really well...either that or we don’t fast :) Keep fasting to align with the Father and His will, not to earn something from Him or others. Trust that you have His favor already.

Father God, do you want me to fast?

N - Neutralize worry in your life

Jesus said...

...do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31

Do you worry about what you will eat, or what you will drink or what you will wear? How can you stop?

Am I worrying when I should be trusting?

If you want to know how to stop worrying, ask me. I have another tool for that.

Am I Trusting God as Father Tool

ACTION

A - Accept God’s view of others

C - Capitalize on secrecy when giving

T - Trust God in private in prayer

I - Impersonate God when hurt or offended

O - Obey God when you fast

N - Neutralize worry in your life

Am I trusting God as Father?

ACTION shows you that you are.

The God of peace will empower you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. Don’t do this on your own strength.

God is your Father and God is good.

You can trust Him even if you can’t trust your earthly Father. He won’t abandon you. He won’t abuse you. He won’t demean you.

He’s God. He’s good. He’s your Father.

Challenge

Ask Holy Spirit to reveal two things:

1. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal if you need to trust God with your whole heart in something.

Respond with confession and repentance.

2. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal a greater revelation of the Father and His Goodness.

Can I pray for you?

Holy Spirit reveal....Pray for a greater revelation of God as our good Father.