For thousands of years, people called God as “Adonai”, “Elohim”.
However, Lord Jesus introduced God as our Heavenly Father.
John 17:25-26
Lord Jesus came from the bosom of the Heavenly Father to bring us back to God’s bosom.
Lord Jesus calls Him “Abba” or “Daddy”. Abba Father longs for intimacy with us.
Without this revelation, we will have distance relationship with God.
Tragedies that we face in life seems to suggest that God is cold or unconcerned with us.
God has given us the freedom of choice.
Without this freedom, we will just be robots before Him.
With freedom, people can choose to do good or evil.
God treasured this freedom. He did not prevent us from making the wrong decisions.
We often have this idea that God is distant or unpleaseable.
Perhaps we have this idea as we have a distant or harsh earthly father.
Many times we project this picture to the Heavenly Father.
However, this is far from truth.
Lord Jesus showed us the Heavenly Father who treasures us and heals us.
God maybe angry with the evil. However, God is not angry with us His children.
Ephesians 3:17-19
We need to have the revelation of the width and length of God’s love.
We need to be grounded in His love.
1. Width of Father’s Love (Compassion)
God is not narrow minded. He welcomes and accepts us.
Exodus 34:6-7
He is merciful and gracious.
For all our sin, we deserve bad stuffs. Yet, He forgives us.
He won’t judge unless He really really really has to judge us.
When God is angry, He may punish until the third or the fourth generation.
Yet, He is merciful upon thousands.
2. Length of Father’s Love (Faithfulness)
God’s love has no limit
Jeremiah 31:3
No matter what we have said or done, God always loves us.
In fact, even before the foundation of the world, He had us in His mind and called us.
When God starts the calling, He will never quit half way.
2 Tim 2:13
God carries out His promises to us.
Children look up to fathers for protection and guidance.
They are willing to follow a father’ authority.
Even when children have higher IQ, a father must still be the leader.
3. Height of Father’s Love (Abundant Provision)
God will never stop doing good for His people.
Matt 6:31-32
God supplies our needs and we worship Him.
James 1:17
We put trust in God. He will give us good and perfect gifts.
God supplies our needs abundantly.
John 2:5
When God creates miracle, He does it abundantly. The wine supply was much more than enough.
John 16:23
A father gives his best to his children.
4. Depth of Father’s Love (Affection)
When Lazarus died, Jesus wept
John 11:35
Lord Jesus knew He would resurrect Lazarus. Yet, He still cried.
Why did He cry? He wanted to a part their sorrow.
Jesus cries when we cry. He laughs when we laugh.
Isaiah 49:16. Zechariah 2:8
If dads have good relationship with children, children will compare God with dads.
For daughters, when they choose a life partner, they will compare him against their dads.
How to express love?
Words. either verbally or via text.
Time. Quality time with family. We work but not overwork
Hugs. Babies are meant to enjoy hugs from dads.
Exo 20:12
This is the only commandment which comes with a promise: we will live long and strong.
You can purchase his sermon here:
http://www.theinkroom.com.sg/digital/http-sermon-weekly-english-s3-amazonaws-com-2016-29-a-20loving-20father-20like-20god-khmp3.html
Jefri_Yue_Fei 吴岳飞 