God As Father
As Jesus teaches His Kingdom members what life in the Kingdom is to be like, He talks consistently of God as our "Father". We will look more closely at this rich privilege which all Christians enjoy.
Proverbs 9:7-9
7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
“It is not everybody to whom it is wise to open our minds on spiritual matters. There are many, who from violent tempers, or openly profligate habits, are utterly incapable of valuing the things of the Gospel. They will even fly into a passion, and run into greater excesses of sin, if you try to do good to their souls. To name the name of Christ to such people, is truly to “cast pearls before swine.” It does them not good but harm. It rouses all their corruption, and makes them angry.”
Sermon Discussion Questions:
Summarize what Jesus teaches about: Judging, removing sawdust, pigs & pearls, prayer, treating others?
What does it mean that God is our Father? What are the implications of that wonderful reality?
Do we pray with expectation? Why not? How would this change our praying?
