The Father Has Been Revealed
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a revelation of the heavenly Father, which brings understanding of His love, mercy, and grace, and enables us to share Him with the world.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that while the Old Testament provided glimpses of God as Father, it was through Jesus that the full revelation of the Father was made known. He highlights that Jesus' actions and teachings were meant to illustrate the nature of the Father, showing His love, mercy, and grace. Wilkerson points out that the prophets longed for this revelation, which is now available to this generation. By understanding the Father through Christ, believers are called to reflect His character in their lives, inviting others to witness the Father through their actions.
Text
In the Old Testament, the children of God had just a glimpse of God as their Father. David said, "As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:13). Isaiah called God "Everlasting Father" (Isaiah 9:6), and Jeremiah wrote of him, "You shall call me, 'My Father'" (Jeremiah 3:19).
But these ancients did not have the full revelation of the heavenly Father. Jesus himself said, "The prophets longed to see what you see and hear what you hear, but they could not." Those in Old Testament times knew Jehovah by all the names he had revealed to them, but he had not revealed himself to them as Father. That revelation could not come until the Son revealed him. Jesus said, "Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27).
Christ has come to reveal the Father to this last generation in a way no other generation has ever known him. Everything Jesus did -- from turning the water into wine to raising the dead -- was like an illustrated sermon. His every act was meant to say, "This is my Father's work; this is what he is like."
"I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me" (John 8:28-29). In other words, I have spoken freely all through this land and when I walked the streets of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Judea, I told you time after time that everything I do is of the Father. If only you had opened yours eyes and ears and accepted my word, I would have shown him to you. He has been revealed!"
When we have a revelation of our heavenly Father -- his love, his mercy, his grace -- we are able to say to the world, "Listen to what I say and do. Watch my life and see the Father in me!"
Sermon Outline
- The Old Testament Revelation of God
- The Full Revelation of the Heavenly Father
- The Importance of Revelation
- Revelation of the Father brings understanding of love, mercy, and grace
- Revelation of the Father enables us to share Him with the world
Key Quotes
“I have spoken freely all through this land and when I walked the streets of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Judea, I told you time after time that everything I do is of the Father.” — David Wilkerson
“If only you had opened your eyes and ears and accepted my word, I would have shown him to you.” — David Wilkerson
“He has been revealed!” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We should seek to understand the love, mercy, and grace of the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.
- Having a revelation of the heavenly Father enables us to share Him with the world, demonstrating His character through our lives.
- We should accept Jesus' word and follow His teachings to gain a deeper understanding of the Father.