Our Heavenly Father: A Father Like No Other
Notes
Transcript
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
I. He is PREEMINENT FATHER
I. He is PREEMINENT FATHER
The word pre-eminence means above others when it comes to ranking that signifies what is “most important”
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
The word ‘hallowed’ comes from the Greek word HAGIAZO which means to make holy, set apart, glorify, and honor Him.
To be a good father, you must be able to lead your family in hallowing and revering God’s Name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
To reflect that God is preeminent in your life, your choices and actions should always be glorifying to Him.
II. He is GREAT PROVIDER
II. He is GREAT PROVIDER
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
The word daily bread comes from the Greek word EPIOUSIOS which translates to as “the need for the day”.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
God not only knows our needs and provides, but He also knows what is best and when best to give that something to us.
III. He PARDON US
III. He PARDON US
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
The forgiveness of God is based on His compassion and grace, and therefore able to abound in love.
IV. He is GREAT PROTECTOR
IV. He is GREAT PROTECTOR
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
When God allows trials, He allows it to refine and build us up.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
1. In what ways do you envision your trust and understanding of God as your Heavenly Father growing? How can you deepen your relationship with Him and rely on His guidance and provision?
2. If you are a father, how can you apply the qualities of God as a Father that we discussed today to improve your role as a father? How can you prioritize hallowing God's name, providing for your family's needs, offering forgiveness, protecting and guiding your children, and expressing passionate love?
If you are a child, take this opportunity to express something you haven't fully appreciated about your father and be a blessing to him by sharing your gratitude or admiration.