BS3C -GOD IS OUR FATHER
If the Kingdom of God was the main theme of Christ’s teaching, then the fact that God is our Father is a close second.
What’s your view of God? Is He someone writing down everything that you do wrong? Is he someone who doesn’t want to see you having fun? Is he harsh and mean when you don’t act right? Is He a God who is too distant to bother with your little life?
The Jews at the time of Jesus felt some of these same things that we feel. God was important to them….but He was distant. They felt their relationship with God was much like at the time of Moses.
Exodus 20:21 / Exodus 24:2
God was only approachable through the morning and evening sacrifices at the temple. He was their judge and his standard was perfection.
Psalm 18:30 / Ecclesiastes 3:14
When Jesus came, He brought us an entirely new picture of God. Jesus called God “Abba” which is like our word for daddy or papa. It was an intimate word that a Hebrew child used for his father.
Mark 14:36
Calling God “Abba” had never been used by the Jewish people – EVER!
Jesus not only called God “Abba” but he told us that sinners – just like you and I – could come into His family and call God “Abba” as well!
Romans 8:15 / Galatians 4:6
Jesus is telling us that at the center of the Kingdom of God is a loving father. This daddy extends his mercy to us – even though we don’t deserve it.
Lamentations 3:22-23 / Micah 7:18
He promises to adopt us into His family – even though we might be a disgrace to it.
John 1:12 / 2 Corinthians 6:18
God even has an inheritance set aside for us! He wants us!
Ephesians 1:11 / Colossians 1:12
He loves when we come to him and talk over even the smallest detail of our lives. He wants a close relationship with us. Even before we think to talk things over with God what is happening on His end?
Isaiah 65:24 / Jeremiah 33:3
Our view of God must change and God tells us what to do…..
Isaiah 55:6-7a
…..if we obey then what will God do?
Isaiah 55:7b
Notice the words “abundantly pardon”. There is no reluctance on His part to pardon us and draw us close. It’s what He really wants.
Then God tells us through Isaiah more about who He is.
Isaiah 55:8-9
God is telling us in plain terms how tiny our natural view of God is. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth” was a Hebrew way of expressing infinity.
God is infinitely compassionate and ready to forgive. It’s only our unbelief that keeps us from obtaining pardon. God wants more than anything to restore us to how he originally made us. And that isn’t dependent at all upon our cleaning ourselves up and keeping ourselves clean.
Titus 3:5-6
Why does God do this for us?
Titus 3:7
This may come as a surprise but Jesus didn’t come to found a new religion. He came to show us God as our Father who wants to enfold us in His arms and welcome us home.
That’s why Jesus told us the parable about the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). A father had two sons and the youngest came to him one day and wanted to take his inheritance and go. He wanted to “live it up and experience real life”. He squandered all that he had and then when a famine came, he hit rock bottom.
But scripture tells us that this son “came to his senses” and realized he needed to go home – apologize – and make things right. He knew he had no right to go home as a son anymore and so he prepared a speech.
Luke 15:18-19
Then he started for home. But notice as he got closer to home what happened.
Luke 15:20
The father had been watching for his son all the time that he had been away! And when he saw his son, he got so excited that scripture says “he ran”. Now a dignified land-owner would never run in that culture. But this father was relieved, happy, and excited all at once. He literally ran to him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him!
The son then delivered his prepared speech.
Luke 15:21
But did the father accept that speech? No. He literally ignores it and has his servants prepare for a party.
Luke 15:22-24
Now some of us have been where this son was. We have hit rock-bottom and need to go home. Jesus is telling us in this parable that our heavenly Father is watching for us – everyday. He can’t wait to see our form on the horizon. So why wait any longer? Go home to your Father and let him enfold you in His arms and welcome YOU home.
For the heart of the eternal, exalted God is naturally drawn to a penitent and humble spirit. It’s where God loves to dwell. It is who He is and what He does and Jesus was a personal demonstration of a God who has a father’s heart.
Isaiah 57:15
Next Study: BS3D-Love is What Characterizes His Kingdom
For further study on living in the Kingdom of God