Sermon Snippet – One Father
INTRODUCTION – We continue in our study of “the simplicity [singleness of purpose] that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). Ephesians 4:4-6 speaks of “One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (verse 6). On Father’s Day, we rightly give honor to dads. I had a truly exceptional father. I knew that he was special even when I was little. He both loved and liked me. He did not expect me to be just like he was. I wish that I had his skills, and he wished that he had mine. As the years roll on, my respect and admiration for him only increase. If you do not have or did not have a good relationship with your father, I am sincerely sorry. All relationships have their challenges. Today, though, let us look higher to “the Father of all, Who is above all.” An eternal relationship with Him is what all of us most need.
1. WE ARE IN GOD’S THOUGHTS
Psalm 139:1-18 is a familiar passage that rejoices in a real relationship with God. Verses 1-6 focus on His omniscience. This knowledge of all things is also intensely personal, as David exults in verse 17a: “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!” Because we are finite, we cannot think about God at all times. That truth is one reason that we set aside times of worship. However, since God is infinite, He can and does think about us all the time. He reminds us in Isaiah 55:8a, “My thoughts are not your thoughts.” Jeremiah 29:11 is an oft-quoted verse: “’For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ saith the LORD, ‘thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end.’” We are in His thoughts right now.
2. WE ARE IN GOD’S CARE
Verses 7-16 indicate that God’s constant thoughts result in constant care. His watchcare of us is well-illustrated in His active involvement in our lives when we are at our most vulnerable – when we are developing in the womb. Jeremiah 1:5 helpfully combines God’s thoughts and care: “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” What God did in Jeremiah’s life is a blueprint for what He has done for each of us. We are in His thoughts and care.
3. WE ARE IN GOD’S LOVE
His thoughts are not merely the recognition of facts (like, say, a computer), nor is His care merely a perfunctory duty (like crossing items off a checklist). This entire passage breathes out love. Two familiar words especially capture my attention: “fearfully” and “wonderfully” (verse 14). Righteously and lavishly, God has poured Himself into our lives (“through all, and in you all,” as we read earlier in Ephesians 4:6). All that God does for us – and He does everything – is generated by His unlimited capacity for love. We are in His thoughts, care, and love.
CONCLUSION – Thoughts, care, love – or, metaphorically, head, hands, heart – what more could we ask for? Ah, but with God, there is always more. John 14:1-6 tells us that He desires to give us His “house.” He wants each one of us to be in heaven with Him forever. May we enter into this everlasting relationship with Him by trusting in God the Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation (verse 6). Our Father wants His best for us, and our Father knows – and cares and loves – best.