The Father’s Heart (Father’s Day)
Pastor Phil Derstine 6-15-25
God is our Father – We are His Children
- I John 3:1 (NLT) “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!”
- Luke 15:11 (Parable of the Lost Son) – Both sons were missing fellowship with their father.
- Luke 15:20 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
- Luke 15:31 “My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”
- Sin consciousness vrs. Son consciousness
- Luke 11:1 “Teach us to pray…” (2) “Our Father…”
Write the Vision – What is God saying?
- Habakkuk 2:2 “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.”
- Write it down as an act of Faith – God’s Word, His Promises, your hopes, dreams, desires, prayer list.
- Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”
- II Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so, through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (Write it down!)
D.R.I.P Growth Model – It’s not the destination, but the Journey!
- D.R.I.P. – Discover, Relate, Inspire, Prove (Growth brings Change!)
- II Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness, with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
- Psalms 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.”
W.W.J.D. – What Would Jesus Do?
- I Corinthians 4:15 “For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you do not have many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. (16) Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.”
- The World needs Spiritual Fathers and Men of God
- Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.”
- Wear your W.W.J.D. bracelet like a signet ring
- Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
- I Peter 3:7 “…giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel… that your prayers be not hindered.”
- I Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Build Your Spiritual Ark
- When the Prodigal came to his Spiritual Senses, he came back to the Father’s Love.
- Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
- The Bible is our blueprint – The Holy Spirit is our compass.
- Joshua 24:15 “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve… As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
