Call No One on Earth, Father

The Sunday morning Sermon at Open Door Church was presented by Pastor Rodney.  I could only catch portions of his message as some voices are difficult for me to hear.  This is an edited and digested sermon using the scriptures placed on the screen while I was taking notes. Some thoughts are mine.

When Studying Scripture, it is important to read verses before and after a statement, in order to bring clarification.  Jesus was teaching against hypocrisy, pride and those who seek “Titles” to be seen of men.

Mathew 23:6-12  The Scribes and Pharisees love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you; do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Close examination shows us that this was an example in pride and the use of Rabbi, teacher and father on earth, is acceptable.

A Man can be a father on earth, even if they are not the biological Father.  Consider Joseph and Jesus.

Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Joseph a just man, thought to put her away secretly not wanting a scandal. 

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to fear and to take Mary as his wife. 

The angel explained; All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6.

In the natural this did not make sense, but Joseph did as the angel said and took Mary as his wife and became an earthly father to Jesus.

 

Jesus taught in Matthew 15:4 to honor your father and your mother. 

Paul repeated this admonition in Ephesians 6  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Paul also gave instruction to Fathers:  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Some people never knew their earthly father, due to death or abandonment.  Or their father may not have been a good role model, regardless he was their father and should be honored.

Jesus came to reveal God as our Heavenly Father, who only desires good for his children.

One example Jesus gave was if the children were hungry, an earthly father would not offer them a stone or a snake.  Jesus went on to say that God desires good gifts for His children and if they ask He will pour out His Holy Spirit upon them..

We can come to the Father God, through Jesus Christ the son.  

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.