TEACHING NOTES ‌‌ Introduction ‌God tells Isaiah that the coming Son would have several names. Each of these names tell us something about what the Son (Messiah) would come to do. The third name given to the Son is “Everlasting Father.” Apparently, the Son of God would show humanity the true character of God the Father. ‌ Isaiah 9:6 ESV 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ‌ Everlasting Father = Heb. ‘ad ‘abi - Eternal Father. In the Old Testament, God is presented as the Father of all creation. As the story progresses, humanity at large rejected God’s plan (Gen. 11). Then God chooses Abram in order to bring about the nation of Israel. God calls Israel “my firstborn son” (Ex. 4:22). ‌ However, Israel is repeatedly unfaithful to God their Father by disobeying Him and turning away to worship other gods. They refused to honor God as their Father (Mal. 1:6). But the Father will not give up on His plan for humanity (Mal. 1:11). ‌ How can the Son be called Everlasting Father? ‌ It seems that when this Son arrives He will be so much like the Father that people would come to believe that the Son is the Father in human form. This is exactly what occurs in the New Testament. ‌ John 1:18 ESV 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. ‌ He has made him known = Grk. exegesato - in English “exegete” or to make fully known, to describe or explain carefully and fully. ‌ Jesus came to reveal the Father to us. At the time of Jesus’ arrival, Israel had accumulated all kinds of traditions and beliefs about God and His character. Jesus came to show us exactly what God is like and His plans for humanity. ‌ John 14:6–7 ESV 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” ‌ No one comes to the Father except through me = This a bold statement to make. Jesus is saying that He is the only way to God. How can Jesus make this claim? Because Jesus was the only one sent from God to rescue humanity from sin. This was God’s plan since Gen. 3:15. ‌ John 14:8–9 ESV 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ‌ Whoever has seen me has seen the Father = This is the clearest example of Jesus’ claim to be one with the Father. If we want to understand what the Father is like, just look at Jesus—what He taught and how He lived. ‌ John 14:18–20 ESV 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ‌ I will not leave you as orphans = God is not an absentee Father who leaves or rejects His children. God’s greatest desire is to be with us as our Father. ‌ Jesus came to give God what He always wanted—to be with His children. ‌ John 14:21 ESV 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” ‌ Whoever keeps my commandments loves me = Jesus is being very clear that those who love Him will keep His commandments (follow His teachings). ‌ He who love me will be loved by my Father = Because the Father loves the Son, those who love Jesus by staying devoted to Him are also loved by the Father. ‌ Manifest = Grk. emphanizo - to reveal, make known, to show what is real. As we grow in our love and obedience to Jesus, the more we will understand Him and know Him personally. ‌ John 14:22–23 ESV 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ‌ We will come and make our home with him = This is a promise to all who seek God in love and obedience. God has always wanted to be with humanity. Jesus did everything necessary to give God what He wants. ‌ Conclusion ‌Our Everlasting Father gave the Son to rescue us from evil. Our response should be to commit ourselves to love and obey Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Today we recommit ourselves to our Everlasting Father.