Our Fathers’ Chastening
June 19, 2016
- When I was growing up, I could ALWAYS count on my parents to
discipline me when I needed it, because they loved me
> If my parents disciplined me because they loved me, it makes sense
that, because of His love for me, God will discipline me when I need it
> Hopefully, Adam and Ashley will discipline Avery when he needs it!
- Today we will see that part of God’s will for us – His loving will – involves “chastening” when we sin
- Read Hebrews 12:5-11
A Word of Encouragement (vs.5a)
- Why speak on this topic on Father’s Day?
- It may not seem like it, but this passage is meant to be “encouraging”
- Greek “paraklesis” (par-ak’-lay-sis) = exhortation, admonition, encouragement
> To come along side for the purpose of the above
> Comes from the same root that we get “parakletos” (“comforter” in
reference to the Holy Spirit (Who comes alongside to encourage)
- This “word of encouragement” is addressed to the “sons” (and
daughters) of God (others need not listen!)
What is Chastening? (vs.5b)
- The word translated “discipline” in the NIV is the Greek word “paideia”
(pahee-di’-a) = chastening, nurture, instruction (occurs 6x’s in the NT)
- In children, it involves “the whole training and education which relates
to the cultivation of mind and morals” (according to one author)
- In adults, it involves “the cultivation of the soul, especially by correcting
mistakes and curbing passions” (according to the same author)
- It is discipline, instruction, or punishment with the goal of correcting sin
When God Chastens:
1. Do not make light of it (vs.5b-6)
- Don’t make light of it (as if it were not important or of any value)
- Don’t lose heart (or give up) because you think life (God) isn’t fair
- Because the Lord disciplines those He loves (What a great verse!)
- Because the Lord punishes (scourges) everyone he accepts as a son
2. Endure it (vs.7-8)
- Don’t try to get out of it
- God is treating you like a son (daughter)
- ¬All sons (children) are disciplined by their earthly father (or should be)
- Our heavenly Father disciplines (chastens) all of His children
- God’s chastening proves you are a “legitimate” child of His
3. Submit to it (vs.9)
- We respect our father (father of our flesh) for his discipline
> Maybe not at the time, but as we have grown older (our kids)
- We should all the more submit to the “Father of our spirit”
- By submitting to God’s discipline we will LIVE (enjoy real life)
4. Remember the purpose of it (vs.10-11)
- Our earthly father’s disciplined us for a reason
> They did it as they thought best and for our own good
> Three kinds of people who have a harder time with God’s discipline:
1. Those that had a father who disciplined with wrong motives
2. Those that had a father that did not discipline them
3. Those that did not have a father to discipline them
- God disciplines us for our own good
> God wants us to “share” in His holiness
> It doesn’t seem like it is for our good at the time
- It is unpleasant and painful at the time
> It wouldn’t be punishment or discipline if it weren’t painful
> I never let on if punishment wasn’t painful (just MORE punishment)
- There is a “harvest” that will be produced by those who are “trained” by
the Lord’s discipline (chastening)
> literally: “peaceable fruit of righteousness”
> “righteousness” = “right-likeness” of God
Application (Responding to God’s Chastening)
- God will NEVER abandon his children when we sin (Lam. 3:19-23)
- We must confess our sin and be restored in fellowship (I John 1:9-2:2)
> God will forgive our sins
> God will purify us from ALL unrighteousness (un-right-likeness)
- If (when) we do sin, Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense
- Are you enduring God’s chastening? Confess your sin to Him!
