The Language of Heaven
"All throughout the Bible God chose to us "family language."
God refers to Himself...
Our Father [Luke 11:2]
Abba Father [Mk. 14:36]
Our Heavenly Father [Mt. 18:35]
A Father to the Fatherless [Ps. 68:5]
Father of Lights [Js. 1:17]
The Father refers to Jesus as...
Son of God [Mt. 14:33]
Son of Man [Mk. 10:45]
Only Begotten Son [Jn. 3:16]
The Beloved Son [Mt. 3:17]
The Son of the Most High {Highest} [Mk. 5:7]
The Bridegroom [Jn. 3:29]
Our elder brother [Heb. 2:11]
The Father refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Adoption [Rom. 8:15]
The Trinity operates and flows together as a unified family.
1 John 5:7 [AMP], “So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One; “
“God firmly established the model/pattern that all Kingdom relationships should function and operate through a culture of family.”
Genesis 1:26 [AMP], Then God said, "Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness..."
The Father refers to us as...
Sons of God [Mt. 5:9]
His sons and daughters [2 Cor. 6:18]
Children of God [Jn. 1:12]
The Family of God [Eph. 2:19]
Joint-heirs [Rom. 8:17]
Brothers and sisters [Rom. 12:10-12]
The Bride of Christ [Rev. 19:7]
"The Church as a family that helps each other to discover their identity as a son/daughter of God, be saturated in the unconditional love of God, and fulfill their calling and destiny."
We are hardwired by God...
To be loved and to love
To be known and to know
To be heard and to hear
To belong and to help others belong
To grow and to help others grow
To be served and to serve
Why would we ever want to settle for anything less than God's best for our lives?
John 17:20-21 [MSG], "I'm praying...for all of them to become ONE heart and mind - Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be ONE heart and mind with us."
1. Brother to Brother -OR- Sister to Sister
2. Son to Father -OR- Daughter to Mother
3. Father to Son -OR- Mother to Daughter
1. Brother to Brother -OR- Sister to Sister
1 Peter 1:22 [NLT], You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brother and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
Transparency
"Transparency is when we share our inner conversations out loud with a trusted friend."
2. Son to Father -OR- Daughter to Mother
3. Father to Son -OR- Mother to Daughter
Who does God want you to invest your life into?
Malachi 4:6 [NIV], "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers..."
1 Corinthians 4:14-17 [MSG], I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up.
Qualities of a Spiritual Father/Mother:
Resource/conduit of life
Point to Jesus
Model kingdom values
Willingness to invest
Hospitable
Express belief
Atmosphere of love & acceptance
Listening ear
Be honest
Have fun
We should look for...
Faithful
Available
Teachable
Essential for there to be a mutual pursuit for all parties involved.