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Father God

(2 Corinthians 1:2-3)

Introduction: It’s on my heart this morning to preach on the subject of Fatherhood. And obviously there are a number of people in the Bible associated with fatherhood that we might have used to discuss this subject. There are also many principles in the Bible that would have been very relevant to the subject of fatherhood. But this morning, I want to go straight to the top and look at the very pinnacle of Fatherhood, and I want us to think about “Father God.”

Jamie Buckingham tells a story in his book, Power for Living. It was a story first told by Fred Craddock while lecturing at Yale University. Craddock told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal—just the two of them.

While they were waiting for their meal they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting guests. Craddock whispered to his wife, “I hope he doesn’t come over here.” He didn’t want the man to intrude on their privacy. But the man did come by his table.

“Where you folks from?” he asked in a very nice way.

“Oklahoma.”

“Splendid state, I hear, although I’ve never been there. What do you do for a living?

“I teach homiletics at the graduate seminary of Phillips University.”

“Oh, so you teach preachers, do you? Well, I’ve got a story I want to tell you.” And with that he pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with Craddock and his wife.

Dr. Craddock said he groaned inwardly: Oh no, here comes another preacher story. It seems everyone has one.

The man stuck out his hand. “I’m Ben Hooper. I was born not far from here across the mountains. My mother wasn’t married when I was born so I had a hard time. When I started to school my classmates had a name for me, and it wasn’t a very nice name. I used to go off by myself at recess and during lunchtime because the taunts of my playmates cut so deeply.

“What was worse was going downtown on Saturday afternoon and feeling every eye burning a hole through you. They were all wondering just who my real father was.

“When I was about 12 years old a new preacher came to our church. I would always go in late and slip out early. But one day the preacher said the benediction so fast I got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. I could feel every eye in church on me. Just about the time I got to the door I felt a big hand on my shoulder. I looked up and the preacher was looking right at me.

“Who are you, son? Whose boy are you?’

I felt the old weight come on me. It was like a big black cloud. Even the preacher was putting me down.

But as he looked down at me, studying my face, he began to smile a big smile of recognition. “Wait a minute,” he said, “I know who you are. I see the family resemblance. You are a son of God.”

With that he slapped me across the (back) and said, “Boy you’ve got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.”

The old man looked across the table at Fred Craddock and said, “That was the most important single sentence ever said to me.” With that he smiled, shook the hands of Craddock and his wife, and moved on to another table to greet old friends.

Suddenly, Fred Craddock remembered. On two occasions the people of Tennessee had elected an illegitimate to be their governor. One of them was Ben Hooper.

Jamie Buckingham, Power for Living ()

Do you know God as Father this morning?

Spurgeon said, “Some say that the Fatherhood of God is universal, and that every man, from the fact of his being created by God, is necessarily God’s son, and that therefore every man has a right to approach the throne of God, and say, ‘Our Father which art in heaven.’ To that I must demur (object).”

It is one thing to know God from the standpoint of being created by Him. But it is something entirely different and better to know God from the standpoint of being His child through salvation.

In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul is writing from the perspective of a child of God to people who have also known God from that perspective.

And as he begins this letter…

I. Paul Points Us To Father God And His Benefits

The combination of “grace” and “peace” is used in the opening greetings of 17 of the New Testament books, indicating that the apostles had a prevalent desire that God’s people have the ongoing reality of grace and peace at work in their lives.

(2 Corinthians 1:2) Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Notice The Benefit Of The Compassion That The Father Gives Us Grace (vs. 2)

1. Let’s Think About The Meaning Of His Grace

grace – Greek 5485. charis; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude). It refers to that which brings joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness.

The New Testament writers use charis pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offences, and bids them accept eternal salvation through Christ. Moreover, the word charis contains the idea of kindness, which bestows upon one what he has not deserved.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

2. Let’s Think About The Manifestation Of His Grace

(2 Corinthians 1:2) Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is saying, “I want you to be the recipients of God’s grace.”

Illustration: Getting the book signed by John Macarthur “Grace to you.” That meant something to me. But it means infinitely more that God signs His kindnesses “Grace to you.”

I wrote a paper for an English class, followed by a presentation comparing two novels -- one about a man seeking a wife, the other about four women looking for true love. While searching the Internet for clip art for my presentation, I typed in "love.” The response: "Your search for love yielded no results."

— Joke contributed by Melissa Hyrkas (Readers Digest Online)

It may be tough to find human love, but God has manifested divine grace.

B. Notice The Benefit Of The Calm That The Father Gives Us Peace (vs. 2)

peace – Greek 1515. eirene; prob. from a primary verb eiro (meaning to join); peace (literal or figurative); by implication it means prosperity – one, peace, quietness, rest, set at one again.

Illustration: Alta Murphy’s grandson naming his daughter Eirene, based on this word.

According to a conception distinctly peculiar to Christianity (this word “peace” refers to) the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

This peace involves a couple of different things then…

1. This Peace Involves A Relationship Of Connection “peace with God”

(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2. This Peace Involves A Realm Of Contentment “peace of God”

(Colossians 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

(Philippians 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

C. Notice The Benefit Of The Comfort That The Father Gives Us Comfort (vs. 3)

1. Paul Mentions The Particular Comfort Of The Father

Properly, this word “comfort” has the idea of calling near, or a summons (especially for help). It takes the form of exhortation, admonition, encouragement, consolation, comfort, and solace. It is that which brings refreshing.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

3874. paraklesis; imploration, exhortation, solace – comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.

2. Paul Mentions The Proportional Comfort Of The Father

(2 Corinthians 1:3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

(2 Corinthians 1:4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

(2 Corinthians 1:5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

abound – Greek 052. perisseuo; to super abound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, to cause to super abound or excel.

The idea is that the sufferings may seem excessive at times, but the comfort and consolation will be equally excessive and abundant.

II. Paul Points Us To Father God And His Blessing

(2 Corinthians 1:3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

This “blessing” is not a blessing from God, but a blessing to God. It is the Greek word eulogetos from which we get our English word “eulogy.” And it means, “to speak well of.” But Paul is not speaking well of the dead, but he is speaking well of the living God.

blessed – Greek 2128. eulogetos, yoo-log-ay-tos'; from G2127; adorable.

(NT:2127) To bless – Greek eulogeo, lit., means “to speak well of” (eu, “well,” logos, “a word”), signifies “to praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory.

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

A. This Word Of Blessing Resounds With Goodness

1. Paul Is Acknowledging God’s Goodness

(NT:2127) To bless – Greek eulogeo, literally it means “to speak well of” (eu, “well,” logos, “a word”), signifies “to praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory.

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

It’s as if Paul is saying, “Good God,” or “God is good.”

2. Paul Is Admiring / Adoring God’s Goodness

blessed – Greek 2128. eulogetos, yoo-log-ay-tos'; from G2127; it means adorable.

It’s as if Paul is saying, “Adorable God,” or “God is adorable.”

B. This Word Of Blessing Results In Glory

1. This Is A Word That Declares God’s Glory

eulogetos NT:2128, means “blessed, praised”; it is applied only to God.

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

It’s as if Paul is saying, “God be praised.”

2. This Is A Word That Desires God’s Glory

(NT:2127) To bless – Greek eulogeo, literally means “to speak well of” (eu, “well,” logos, “a word”), signifies “to praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory.

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

C. This Word Of Blessing Refers To God

“Blessed be God” – or Blessed God (theos – the supreme deity)

1. It Is Used Expressively Of God

(NT:2127) To bless – Greek eulogeo, literally it means “to speak well of” (eu, “well,” logos, “a word”), signifies “to praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory.

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

2. It Is Used Exclusively Of God

eulogetos NT:2128, means “blessed, praised”; it is applied only to God.

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

III. Paul Points Us To Father God And His Brood

A. God Is The Father Of Messiah

(2 Corinthians 1:3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

1. God’s Fatherhood Of Jesus Is Bigger Than The Mere Concept Of God

even – Greek 2532. kai; a primary particle, having a connecting and sometimes also a cumulative force.

So it’s as if Paul is saying, “He is God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” But it’s also like he’s saying, “He is God, but even more than that, He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. God’s Fatherhood Of Jesus Is Bigger Than Man’s Comprehension Of God

The Bible says…

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

But how can God beget God?

God is one God, manifested in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And these three are co-equal in all attributes and co-eternal in existence. And yet the second person, whom we call God the Son, was caused to become the Son.

B. God Is The Father Of Mercies

(2 Corinthians 1:3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

1. Here Is The Suggested Meaning Of Mercies

mercies – Greek (NT:3628) means compassion, pity, mercy: it has the idea of the bowels in which compassion resides, or a heart of compassion: emotions, longings, manifestations of pity (English compassions).

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

It’s as if Paul is saying, “God is the Father with a heart of compassion.”

Illustrate: Some of our understanding of Father God comes from our understanding of what an earthly father is.

2. Here Is The Superlative Manifestation Of Mercies

To say that God is the Father of mercies means that He is the most merciful One.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

He fathers a new litter of mercies every day…

(Lamentations 3:22-23) It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. {23} They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

C. God Is The Father Of Many our Father (vs. 2)

1. “Our” Is A Possessive Term

our – Greek (NT:2257) hemon; genitive (designating possession) case plural of NT:1473; of (or from) us – our (company), us, we.

(Strong’s Concordance)

2. “Our” Is A Plural Term

In the past couple of years, we have seen the remakes of movies about large families

Cheaper by the Dozen was a 1948 book that tells the story of Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth, and their twelve children. The title comes from one of Gilbreth’s favorite jokes: it often happened that when he and his family were out driving and stopped at a red light, a pedestrian would ask “Hey, Mister! How come you got so many kids?” Gilbreth would pretend to ponder the question carefully, and then, just as the light turned green, would say “Well, they come cheaper by the dozen, you know,” and drive off. The book was made into a 1950 motion picture as well as another movie by the same name in 2003

Yours, Mine and Ours was the title of a 1968 film and a 2005 remake, based loosely on the story of Frank and Helen Beardsley. In both films Frank Beardsley is a widowed Navy officer with ten children, and Helen North is his high school sweetheart who now is widowed with eight children. They go on a date, fall in love again, and quickly get married, and move into a big house with their eighteen children. After some initial tension, the eighteen children bond and make one large blended family.

Now 12 children is a pretty big family especially by modern standards. In the good old days of 50 to 100 years ago, a larger family like this was more common. Eighteen children would be a large family regardless of what generation you come from. But how many children does God have?

According to statistics from 1993, 10 percent of the world’s population professes to be Christian. “This means that there are 560,000,000 Christians worldwide.” This article went on to say that “3,000 churches are started every week,” and “90,000 people are saved each day.”

One reference indicated that in 1997 there were 85 so-called Christian denominations. These denominations make a distinction between Catholic Christians and Protestant Christians. At that time there were more than 1 billion Roman Catholics in the world and over 316 million Protestants in the world. Most Catholics are Roman Catholics, and in the United States alone, there were over 60 million Roman Catholics. There were over 40 million Protestants in the United States including over 23 million Baptists.

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Another reference stated, “Today, it is estimated that there are around 2.1 billion Christians in the world.”



It’s certain that when we say “Our Father,” we are including a vast number, and no one person has the copyright on being a child of God.

Conclusion:

The year 1923 brought with it the first published appearance of a song in a hymnbook called Songs of Salvation and Service. The hymnbook had been compiled by William Runyan who actually wrote the music for this particular song. It is the unofficial “school hymn” of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, with which Runyan was associated for a number of years.

A man named Thomas Chisholm had written the song. And according to Chisholm, there were no special circumstances which caused its writing – just his experience and Bible truth. The truth of this great hymn is so applicable to what we have found in the scripture this morning that I just want to end the sermon by reading these words that magnify our heavenly Father in such a great way. Chisholm wrote…

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth; Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

I say with Paul…

(2 Corinthians 1:2-3) Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. {3} Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

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