Love of a Father

We have a perfect heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9). 

We see God from earth up, but it should be from heaven down. 

What do you think about when you think about God?

1.  Do you see Him as a puppet master?

2.  Do you see Him as a tyrant?

3.  Do you see Him as a drifter? 

4. Do you feel like you can trust Him?

  

5. Do you  feel that He is far away. 

6. Do you feel that God is a relic? 

We can only see the Father through Jesus.    Read Luke 15:11-31.

1. Our Father loves us relationally.  

He will not control us or force us.

  

He is interested in a real relationship. 

You can always trust God's motivation.

It is not God who has broken the relationship with us. 

2.  Our Father loves us sacrificially. 

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 15:20  (NIV)

20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

3. Our Father loves us extravagantly.  

Luke 15:21-22 (NIV)

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

The robe represents the righteousness of Christ.  The ring represents authority.  Sandals represent freedom.  

4. Our Father loves us eternally.  

The older son is offended.

Luke 15:31-32  (NIV)

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

The love of the father cannot be earned.  It is received. 

John 3:16  (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

We can know our destination to God our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Mark Pettis, Church of the Highlands