Peninsula Vineyard Christian Fellowship Sunday, June 15, 2008

Snapshots of the Father

or

Following in the Footsteps of a Fantastic Father Figure

In John’s account of Jesus’ life, Jesus opens up to his closest followers about his relationship with his Father. Jesus has a need to tell these guys just how great it is to have the ideal Father-Son relationship. He’s aware that none of his friends have had this quality of relationship while growing up. and it’s pretty urgent for them to ‘get it’ since as fathers and father figures, they’ll need lots of help and positive mental images to satisfy the requirements of the roles they’ve be given.

For fathers and father figures today, the need is still pressing to have a clear idea of what a healthy father figure looks and acts like.. We’re often aware of our failings and incompetencies., but much less aware of the “All You Need to be a Great Father,” software that was installed in us at the moment of our new birth. Sources of criticism and discouragement are never in short supply, so let’s outweigh them with the truth this morning, as Jesus told it.

Words of Affirmation—

Matthew 3 : 17: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Acts of Empowerment—

John 5 : 20,26: “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. . .

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.”

Assurance of Love—

John 17 : 24-26—”Father I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world., Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them, and that I myself may be in them.”

Sense of Peace (because life’s basics are more than covered)—

Matthew 6 : 25-34

Confidence that the Father welcomes the Son—

John 14 : 1-14