TEACHING

Don Atkin

WHAT IS THE FATHER DOING . . . REALLY?

The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does. - John 5:19-20.

Since Jesus Christ is the pattern Son, and we are being conformed to His image, this is a critical question. If Jesus was limited in what He did to what He saw the Father do, then that is all we can do. Jesus did nothing of His own initiative. Our initiative produces Ishmaels. Ishmael was not the son of promise.

So, it is vital that we, as sons, see what the Father is doing.

WHAT IS THE FATHER DOING . . . BOTTOM LINE?

Bottom line, the Father is bringing many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10), and restoring creation to the dominion of His sons (Hebrews 2:5-9; Genesis 1:26-28).

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. - Romans 8:28-30.

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. - Romans 8:19-21.

The Father’s purpose is to redeem, restore, and fill the earth with His government and glory, by extending and maturing His family of sons (male and female).

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. - Matthew 6:9-10.

Bottom line, the Father is bringing many sons to glory.

That’s what fathers do - bring sons to glory!

Tradition’s professional clergy have missed the point. Many have made "church" a business venture or religious institution. Denominations form around doctrine. Families form around fathers.

Significant to the new apostolic reformation is the increase and impact of the father role in the body of Christ. Apostolic fathers bring the reality of sonship into the lives of believers. Even as new birth (Passover) and empowerment (Pentecost) must be experienced, so adoption (Tabernacles) must also be experienced.

God has chosen to tabernacle (His presence) within us. We are, together, His dwelling place. Our identity, security and destiny are found in sonship. We cannot experience His glory apart from experiencing adoption. Key word: experience. This is not so much a doctrinal position as it is an exhortation to embrace the reality as sons of our Father. We need to know the reality of being born again by the Holy Spirit. We need to know the reality of receiving power from on high through the Holy Spirit. And, we need to know the reality of receiving the spirit of sonship.

That’s what fathers do - bring sons to reality!

Reality is to replace religion. We are to worship God in spirit and reality!

WHAT ARE SONS DOING . . . BOTTOM LINE?

Bottom line, sons are doing what they see the Father doing. That’s what sons do!

Children do all sorts of things. They are famously inventive, and initiate lots of activity that has little or no relationship to the will of their parents. Adolescence often brings rebelling and independence, trouble and disappointment. Immaturity cannot respond to creation’s cry.

But, sons ~ those who have learned obedience by the things they have suffered, those who have been brought to maturity through suffering ~ are able to see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His kingdom venture.

HOW DO SONS GLORIFY THE FATHER?

To glorify God is to show Him to others by life demonstration ~ His works, His way. This requires strict adherence to our specific assignments, carried out in faith, and in the timing of the Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. - Romans 8:14-17

Sons glorify their Father by fulfilling their purpose and destiny.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which

You have given Me to do. - John 17:3-4.

POINTS OF CONCERN

The examination of current practices among many who consider themselves "Christians" results in the following concerns:

1. Some traditions hold that, if you merely participate in the sacraments, you are heaven-bound. Yet, biblical integrity will not allow us to sidestep the need for evidences of new life in the Spirit.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified. - II Corinthians 13:5.

He who has seen Me (Jesus) has seen the Father. The Father who dwells in Me does the works. You will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. - John 14:9, 10, 20-21.

How can sons do what they see the Father doing, unless He is manifested to them through Jesus Christ?

2. Many continue to use foul language, excessive drinking, other self-indulging lifestyles, even marrying outside of the faith, while hoping for heaven. There are no definitive lines separating them from the world.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. - II Corinthians 6:14-17.

As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." - I Peter 1:14-15.

The Bible is clear, "without holiness, no one will see God." If you cannot see Him, you cannot see what He is doing. You cannot glorify Him as a son. You cannot fulfill your destiny.

3. Jesus modeled the way for bringing many sons to glory. He discipled (disciplined) them. Furthermore, He commissioned us to disciple the nations! Yet, little to no discipling goes on in many church expressions.

Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? - Hebrews 12:6-7.

Jesus devoted three years to what He saw His Father doing ~ bringing many sons to glory. He invested His energy in a heavenly vision of exponential multiplication. He said to the twelve, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).

We are to move the church from servant mentality to sonship. The maturing of believers requires (1) new creation life, (2) holiness, and (3) discipleship. Nothing less than this will produce the fruit of sonship, the glory and government of God on the earth as it is in heaven.

This is the work of fathers. It will not be accomplished by "generals" or "CEO’s." It will not happen in pulpits or corporate headquarters. It will happen in spiritual families, as people gather around fathers.

Fathers bring sons to glory. That’s what fathers do!

Son do what they see the Father doing. That’s what sons do!

It’s time to raise people and release them into their destiny.

That’s what fathers do!