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Note: Tap here to view today’s sermon slides.
Sermon Series: “A Child is Born” based on the prophecy of a savior in Isaiah 9:6.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6
The Four Gifts God Is Giving You this Christmas
1. Wonderful Counselor: Comfort
2. Mighty God: Strength
3. Everlasting Father: Eternal Love
4. Prince of Peace: Peace
Everlasting Love
Teenager Bryan’s Ultimate Day Off From School:
1. Rent a movie from Blockbuster
2. Buy Star Wars cards from the comic shop
3. Hit up the Family Fun Center arcade
4. Post about it on MySpace
Question: What is something you enjoyed as a child or young adult that isn’t around any more?
Big Idea: Even the best things the world has to offer are only
Everlasting Father
Jesus is Our Everlasting Father—In perpetuity, from now until forever. This speaks more to his
“Everything you’ve ever dreamed a father could be—everything you’ve ever wanted from your relationship with your earthly father—Jesus is and will be for you. Your Messiah will forever be perfectly father-like in the way he shepherds and leads you. In Jesus, you have a perfect father forever.” —Pastor David Sunday • The Gospel Coalition
“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” —Isaiah 9:7
God’s Everlasting Love in Psalm 103
“13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more…” —Psalm 103:13-16
Compassion comes from the same Hebrew word as a mother’s womb. It captures the nurturing bond that is shared between a mother and her child. It speaks to the shared experience, shared life, and even a shared suffering. Compassion involves showing mercy, loving, caring for, etc.
Like the Flowers in the Field… — Our lives are but a brief moment in time in light of eternity.
A Prize that Fades Away Who won the World Series in 2018? What movie won Best Picture in 2017? Who won the Super Bowl in 2016? What song topped the charts in 2015? And who won the NBA Championship in 2014?
“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” —1 Corinthians 9:25
Answers:
1. 2018 World Series:
2. 2017 Best Picture:
3. 2016 Super Bowl:
4. 2015 Top Song:
5. 2014 NBA Champs:
The Point: Even the world’s most significant achievements do not create a lasting
6 A voice said, “Shout!” I asked, “What should I shout?” “Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” —Isaiah 40:6-8
“10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.” —James 1:10-11
“17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”—Psalm 103:17-18
Wealth and accomplishments fade away, but the word of God and the love of God stand
Jesus, the Eternal God
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” —John 1:1-5
The Eternal Nature of God:
1. His Life (Psalm 48:14)
2. His Love (Psalm 136)
3. His Word (Psalm 119:152)
4. His Plans (Psalm 33:11)
5. His Kingdom (Psalm 29:10)
6. His Power (Psalm 66:7)
7. His Promises (Psalm 146:6)
Our Response: Eternal
“Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.” —Psalm 72:19
Christians in Action
Build on a
Read Psalm 136 this week.
Let God’s love be your
Upcoming
- Christmas Service—December 22nd (no classes this day)
Response
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Life Group / Reflection Questions
- Start by having everyone share their name and something they loved as a child or young adult that they wish we could bring back.
- In your own words, what does it mean to you that Jesus is our Eternal Father? Does it create any confusion that Jesus is the Son of God, but is referred to as a Father?
- Bryan shared three passages (Psalm 103:15-16, Isaiah 40:6-8 and James 1:10-11) that describe our lives as flowers in the field that bloom, die, and fade away. What is God trying to communicate to his people through the repeated use of this analogy?
- Psalm 103 describes God as a compassionate father, but the word compassion comes from the Hebrew word for a mother’s womb. How does that connection put God’s attitude towards us in a new light?
- How have you experienced the love, compassion, or patience of God in your life?
- If God’s love is everlasting, is there anything we could do that would cause God to stop loving us? Is there anything we can do to make him love us more?
- Have someone read Romans 6:1-4. If God’s love is everlasting, does that mean we have a right to act (or sin) however we please, knowing that God will love us anyway? Why or why not?
- What does the Bible say about Jesus in Hebrews 13:8, and how does this verse tie into the theme of Everlasting Father?
- Application: Invite the group to share how they hear God inviting them to act, think, or believe differently as a result of these passages, the message from this morning, or the the group discussion that you just had.
- Thank everyone for their willingness to share, and close your time in prayer.