The Good Father

The Good Father Series by Toby Eisenberg - Guest Speaker from Forest Community Church

Reference Verses: Matthew 6:25-26, 6:31-33

Overview:  Systematic theology - tracing themes in scripture and attempting to trace them from Genesis to Revelation, such as the creation theme and recreation from Genesis to Revelation.  

V. 26 - “Look at the bird,” meaning to contemplate or carefully examine and revere His creation.  Jesus also used the term and focused on using “Heavenly Father”, which means He wants us to know God as our Father.  Judging what is good.  Teaching us not to be anxious.  Both why and how.  You’re anxious when you’re focused on the wrong things and hold them up as good.  Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Value the correct things appropriately.  

1.  Behold!  It is very good
   Genesis 1:1-3 ~ [Hovering (brooding or contemplating) over the chaos and inability to have life.]  
   V. 1-24 ~ God said and God saw.  Repetition over and over again, so pay attention.  God creates and what He creates is good.  And when He observes it as good, He really beholds it closely to see its goodness.  When you create something, you get to look at the final product and revere it.  He and we study things and we see what is good about it as God sees the good in His creation.  
   When God speaks, He creates.  It is life giving order/instruction.  
   V. 29 ~ Behold - God commands us to also behold His creation.  And when we follow His commands, it is life giving.  Spend time contemplating nature and His handiwork.  Or else face despair.  You’ll seek and value the wrong things and find destruction.  So we see His creation is good, but also see that God is good.  You don’t share in beholding with just anyone, but you behold with those you love.  It’s an act of love to behold handiwork together.  

2. The goodness we can behold
   Psalm 19:1-4; Psalm 104 ~ David is following God’s command of beholding.
   But it can look different.  Look at the Book of Job.  
   Job 1:20-21 ~ Job worshiped Him regardless.  Job seeks knowledge and God reminds him that he can’t know it all.  Only God knows the mysteries of creation.  We can’t behold all of His goodness, but there is only so much we can behold.  
   Philippians 4:4, 11-13 ~ Paul’s perspective ~ Goodness seen in Christ in how He loved us.  You can rejoice even in suffering.  
   Romans 8:28 - Paul can see God’s goodness through creation still.  Through Christ Jesus.  

3.  Abba, Father
   In the New Testament this term is used twice, by Jesus and Paul.  It’s a term of endearment and intimacy.  
   Matthew 6:7-9 ~ Lord’s Prayer, praying to our Father.  It’s the relationship Jesus had with God.  
   Mark 14:35-36 ~ He prayed until God changed His will to obey.  He had to conquer the flesh.  Jesus calls Him Abba, Father.  Jesus knew and knew of His purpose but had a human moment and cries out.  
   Galatians 4:5-6, Romans 8:15-16 ~ We are adopted the same, full status as the Son.  To learn to yearn and say Abba, Father even in times of desperation.  Grow to the space where you can call Him Abba, Father, and to do so we must behold God and His creation.  
   Matthew 6:25-33

Application:  

1. Behold!  It is very good.  Meditate on creation itself.  Meditate on our status as God’s children.

2. Ask the Good Father for tangible, personal experience of His Grace.  

3. Share your stories with one another.  Your testimonies about the Father’s goodness towards you.  Your concerns, doubts, fears, and pain.