Hebrews 11: The Patriarch\u2019s & Spiritual Fatherhood<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold to shame you. I\u2019m 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\u2019t wait to tell you what you\u2019ve done wrong, but there aren\u2019t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God\u2019s Message to you that I became your father. I\u2019m not, you know, asking you to do anything I\u2019m not already doing myself.<\/p>\n
(1 Corinthians 4:14-16 \u2013 The Message)<\/p>\n
*In general, \u2018biblical manhood\u2019 is demonstrated by listening to God\u2019s voice with implicit obedience sustained by confidence regardless of short term outcomes (Heb.11:1-2; 13-16).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old gained approval\u2026 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have the opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.<\/p>\n
Hebrews 11:1-22 identifies several characteristics of spiritual fatherhood. No matter what our particular life circumstances, we can all become \u2018spiritual fathers\u2019 as we walk with God.<\/p>\n
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- Sacrificer<\/li>\n
- Seeker<\/li>\n
- Prepper<\/li>\n
- Trailblazer<\/li>\n
- Blesser<\/li>\n
- Wrestler<\/li>\n
- Forgiver<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Read: Hebrews 11:1-22<\/p>\n
Pray: Each Patriarch has an outstanding characteristic (sacrificer, seeker etc.).\u00a0 Pray you will grow up toward these particular traits of a spiritual father in the gospel for the benefit of others and to please your Heavenly Father.\u00a0 If you ask,\u00a0 The Heavenly Father will give you the Holy Spirit to be your source of grace and knowledge (Luke 11:13).<\/p>\n
Share: Find one other person you can personally share this devotion with in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n
ABEL (v4): Sacrificer- \u00a0Spiritual fathers give their best. They understand the value of the blood of Jesus as the high cost of God\u2019s grace to secure our eternal redemption & salvation.\u00a0 They point others to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.<\/p>\n
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ENOCH (vv5-6): Seeker- \u00a0Spiritual father\u2019s diligently seek God and His reward. They walk with their feet on the ground in protest to the wickedness of their generation. However, they are uniquely focused on \u2018other-wordly\u2019 realities.\u00a0 Heaven has the upper-hand of influence in the way they conduct their affairs.<\/p>\n
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NOAH (v7):\u00a0 Prepper- \u00a0Spiritual fathers warn their family and their generation about the coming judgment of God.\u00a0 However, they build into their family an enduring faith in God no matter how bad things are getting.<\/p>\n
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ABRAHAM (vv8-12;17-19): Trailblazer- \u00a0Spiritual fathers do not need to know to GO! They break the sinful patterns of their family\u2019s tradition & idolatry\u00a0 and strike out into unchartered territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Isaac (v20): Blesser- \u00a0Spiritual fathers speak blessing not cursing into the lives of their children.\u00a0 Like Isaac, they dig wells (Gen.26) of blessing to bring life and growth to those around them.<\/p>\n
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Jacob (v21): Wrestler- \u00a0Spiritual fathers wrestle with God, with their sinful nature (Rom.7)\u00a0 and with spiritual wickedness (Eph.6). They are engaged in honest prayer and worship while embracing their weakness.\u00a0 Fathers understand weakness surrendered to God in humble obedience is the true nature of Worship.<\/p>\n
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Oil Painting \u2018Frederick Taubes,Jacob Wrestling With The Angel,1944<\/p>\n
Joseph (v22):\u00a0 Forgiver- \u00a0Spiritual fathers release forgiveness from their heart (deep in their bones) to those who have mistreated them.\u00a0 They have insight into the sovereign goodness of God that triumphs over all evil.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Joseph Recognized by His Brothers (1863 painting by L\u00e9on Pierre Urbain Bourgeois)<\/p>\n
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