The Father You’ve Always Wanted

Everlasting Father: The God Who Stays, Forgives, and Runs Toward Us

Scripture References

Primary text

• Isaiah 9:6
• Luke 15:20

Other references

• John 14:9
• Micah 7:18
• Isaiah 43

Overview

Isaiah foretold a Son who would be called “Everlasting Father.” Jesus fulfills that name, revealing a Father unlike any earthly dad—One who never leaves, freely forgives, and even runs toward wayward children. Our deepest need for security, mercy, and restoration is met in this Avi ’Ad—our eternal Source, Protector, and Provider.

Context

The message opens with an imagined coffee-table question: “Tell me about your dad.” Our varied experiences with earthly fathers shape how we feel about God the Father—often for good, sometimes for grief. Isaiah’s prophecy offers healing by introducing a perfect, everlasting Father.

Main Points

The Father Who Stays

• In Hebrew culture a father’s presence meant protection, provision, and survival; losing him meant vulnerability.
• “Avi ’Ad” = Father/Source/Protector/Provider (Avi) + Everlasting/Eternal (’Ad).
• Jesus shows this staying love:
  • Stayed with doubting Thomas, panicked disciples, a betraying Judas.
  • Stayed the course in Gethsemane and remained on the cross—“Father, forgive them…”
• Hebrews’ promise voiced:

  “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

• Application: In anxiety, sin, or anger toward God, He still stays—unlike the conditional love of people.

The Father Who Forgives

• In Isaiah’s day forgiveness always cost a sacrifice; a loving father absorbed the family’s shame.
• Jesus, “pierced for our transgressions,” became that sacrifice—paying our price and removing our shame.
• Micah 7:18 marvels at a God who “delights to show mercy.”
• Isaiah 43: God blots out sins and remembers them no more—separating them “as far as the east is from the west.”
• Warning: Head knowledge without heart belief shows up in judgmental living; forgiven people become grace-filled people.

The Father Who Runs Toward You

• Luke 15: the prodigal son expects rejection, but “while he was still a long way off… his father ran.”
• Running was undignified for a 1st-century patriarch; the father risked shame to reach his child first.
  • Purpose: cover the son’s shame and restore him publicly before anyone else could label him.
• God likewise runs toward sinners—pursuing, embracing, restoring, not condemning.
• Key insight: Your earthly father could only reflect God’s love at best; he was never meant to replace it.

• Story: The preacher recounted receiving an old cassette where he had spoken harshly about his alcoholic dad. Years later, his now-saved father called, deeply hurt yet said, “The good Lord has forgiven me of a lot… so I reckon I’ll forgive you on this one.” In that moment the earthly dad beautifully reflected the Heavenly Father’s forgiveness.

Key Truths

• Jesus perfectly reveals the Everlasting Father—see Him, see the Father.
• God’s presence is constant; He never abandons His children.
• Forgiveness is complete, quick, and joyfully given—God delights in mercy.
• The Father moves toward our mess, covering shame and restoring identity.
• Earthly dads, good or bad, cannot shoulder what only our Heavenly Father can.

Response

• Trust that God will never leave you—cast today’s anxiety on Him.
• Receive His total forgiveness; stop carrying sins He has already erased.
• Extend the same grace to others that the Father extends to you.
• Return home if you’ve wandered—run toward Him as He is already running toward you.
• Live as a visible reflection of the Everlasting Father’s love, generosity, and mercy.

Closing

Isaiah’s promise stands fulfilled: the child born to us is our Everlasting Father—One who stays, forgives, and races toward repentant hearts. No matter how far you have wandered, He is not turning away but moving toward you to embrace and restore.

“When you draw near to Him, He draws near to you.”

Prayer

The congregation thanked God for being the Father who stays, forgives, and runs toward His children, asking for miracles, provision, comfort, and the power to know and reflect His love.