Podcast Summary: The Father You’ve Always Wanted | He Will Be Called: Part 3

Podcast: Life.Church with Craig Groeschel
Date: December 21, 2025
Speaker: Craig Groeschel

Overview

In this powerful message, Pastor Craig Groeschel explores the title “Everlasting Father” from Isaiah 9:6, reflecting on what it truly means to have God as the perfect Father we all long for—one who stays, forgives, and runs toward us. The episode is especially relevant for anyone reflecting on family, faith, or experiencing complex feelings around fatherhood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Our Perception of "Father": Earthly vs. Heavenly

• Tension: Many people’s emotions about God as "Father" are shaped by their relationships with earthly fathers—those experiences can elicit deep gratitude or pain (00:29–02:02).
• Emotional Impact: “Nothing impacts you or shapes you quite like a father shapes you or impacts you.” (01:47, Craig)
• Challenge: We often project the image of our earthly father onto our Heavenly Father, creating barriers to understanding God's true nature (02:02–02:39).

2. The Prophecy from Isaiah: Four Names for the Messiah

• Context: Isaiah, 700 years before Christ, prophesied a child would be born with four remarkable titles, including "Everlasting Father" (03:45–04:08).
• Avi Ad (Hebrew):
  • Avi = father, source, protector, provider
  • Ad = everlasting, eternal, forever
• Meaning: Jesus is described as the eternal source of life, a protector that never dies, and a provider who always loves (05:08–05:56).
• Jesus Reveals the Father: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9, 06:02)

3. Three Qualities of God, Our Everlasting Father

a. God is the Father Who Stays (06:17–11:47)

• In ancient Hebrew culture, a father’s presence ensured the family’s survival; losing him meant vulnerability (07:04–07:22).
• Craig recounts: “He doesn’t die. He doesn’t go away. He is the Father who never ever leaves.” (07:45)
• Parallels drawn to Jesus' constancy:
  • Jesus stayed with Thomas despite doubts (08:39–08:44)
  • Jesus calmed the storm for panicked disciples
  • On the cross, despite betrayal and mockery, Jesus stayed, choosing forgiveness (09:56)
• Notable Quote: "In a world where people will turn on you in a heartbeat, cancel you at the moment of a mistake, we serve an everlasting Father who is not like conditional people. His love is constant for you and never changes. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He is the everlasting Father who stays." (10:59, Craig)

b. God is the Father Who Forgives (11:47–17:34)

• Contrasting earthly fathers who might hold grudges, God forgives continually and completely (11:48–12:17).
• In biblical times, forgiveness required public sacrifice and cost; loving fathers paid the price to redeem their children (12:17–13:09).
• Jesus as Sacrifice: He absorbs our shame and pays our price (13:09).
• Scripture: “[God] does not stay angry forever, but You are a God that delights to show mercy.” (Micah 7:18, paraphrased, 15:01)
• God’s Forgiveness: Not reluctant but quick and total, erasing sin entirely:
  • “God does not forgive you reluctantly. He forgives quickly and he forgives completely.” (16:35)
  • Referenced: Isaiah 43, Psalm 103 (“separates your sin as far as the east is from the west”, 17:11)

c. God is the Father Who Runs Toward You (17:42–30:01)

• Shocking to the original audience: A dignified patriarch would never run. Yet, Jesus’ parable (Luke 15) describes a father running to his wayward son (18:00–21:46).
• Notable Moment: “Before any other voice could define his son, the father ran toward the shame. The father ran toward the son that broke the Father's heart.” (23:28–23:47)
• The father’s running signifies hasty forgiveness, public acceptance, and restored honor.
• The parable illustrates God’s readiness to restore and embrace, even after betrayal or waywardness (21:17–23:47).
• Emphasis: Our earthly fathers, even at their best, can only reflect God’s love but cannot replace Him (24:46–24:53).

4. The Personal Story: Craig’s Relationship with His Father (24:53–28:46)

• Honest Vulnerability: Craig shares about growing up with a fun, loving, but alcoholic dad, strained relationship during teen years, and later, their healing and reconciliation through faith (26:34–28:46).
• Forgiveness Modeled: After a hurtful incident came to light years later, Craig’s dad forgave him, reflecting God’s forgiveness:
  • “He couldn’t replace God. But in that moment, he reflected the forgiveness of God.” (28:06)

5. Application and Invitation (29:00–30:45)

• Illustration from The Prodigal Son: The Father is always watching and hoping for our return—eager to restore, not condemn (29:00–30:01).
  • “The son left—and the father stayed. The son repented and the father forgave. The son turned away from his sin, and the father ran toward the son.” (29:40)
• Call to Action: No matter your past, God runs toward you, extending love and forgiveness, not condemnation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Nothing impacts you or shapes you quite like a father shapes you or impacts you.” (01:47, Craig)
• “He is the everlasting Father who stays… His love is constant for you and never changes.” (10:59, Craig)
• “He forgives quickly and he forgives completely…He doesn’t hold what you did against you.” (16:35, Craig)
• “Before any other voice could define his son, the father ran toward the shame. The father ran toward the son that broke the Father's heart.” (23:28, Craig)
• “Your earthly father was never designed to carry what only your heavenly father can.” (24:48, Craig)
• After a difficult conversation with his dad, Craig’s father says: “Well, that hurt me pretty bad. But I suppose I hurt you pretty bad. And I suppose I hurt a lot of people pretty bad…the good Lord has forgiven me of a lot. You’ve forgiven me of a lot, so I reckon I’ll forgive you on this one.” (28:04, Craig’s dad, as recounted by Craig)

Important Timestamps

• 00:29–02:02 | Emotional weight of the word "father"
• 03:45–05:08 | Explanation of the prophecy, Avi Ad (“Everlasting Father”)
• 06:17–11:47 | God as the Father Who Stays: Scriptural and personal illustration
• 11:47–17:34 | God as the Father Who Forgives: Sacrifice, grace, and total forgiveness
• 17:42–23:47 | God as the Father Who Runs Toward You: The Prodigal Son unpacked
• 24:53–28:46 | Craig’s personal story on forgiveness and family reconciliation
• 29:00–30:45 | Recap of the everlasting Father's love and invitation to faith

Tone & Style

• Authentic, compassionate, and filled with practical biblical teaching
• Candid acknowledgment of pain, human failings, and need for grace
• Hopeful and invitational toward healing, forgiveness, and restoration

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• God perfectly fulfills what no earthly father can—He is present, forgiving, and actively pursues relationship with you.
• Our earthly father’s failings or strengths can influence, but shouldn't determine, how we see God.
• No matter your past, God’s love and forgiveness are always available—He never turns away but runs toward you.

Additional Resources

Check the episode’s show notes for recommended next steps, information about Christmas services at Life.Church, and resources for deeper spiritual exploration.