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"Just Like Abba"

June 20, 2004
Pastor Cliffe Knechtle (43:16)		 Exodus 20:4-5 Exodus 34:4-7 Psalm 68:3
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
–Phillippians 4:4

The Bible does not have a lot of good role models of outstanding fathers other than that of God as father, ‘Abba Father’.

The characteristics of fatherhood that are role modeled by God:

1. Joy

Joy that comes from living in God’s love.  Joy comes from ‘doing life’ the way God would have us live. Immorality robs us of joy.

Genesis 37 – Jacob was a father who played favorites. Playing favorites is horrible game. It caused hatred among Jacob’s children. So much so, that Jacob’s brothers sold him into slavery. Forgiveness and grace flowed from Joseph, despite what his brothers had done to him.

2. Grace and Mercy
Fred Pickering, one of the wonderful dads at GCC with son, Cory, during a recent Children's sermon.
Saul was caught up in being right. He was ready to put his own son to death for eating when it was not the time to eat, even on a day of triumph.

In between legalism and license, there is grace and mercy.

3. Love, even when it is tough

John Paul Getty manipulated his children with his will. He was so busy at work that he didn’t even go to the funeral of one of his sons. He failed to put his family first.

Eli failed to communicate God’s justice and [    ] to his sons. Permissive love – refusal to hold his sons accountable. As a result, his sons failed to learn God’s justice.

David also failed to discipline his sons and had a dysfunctional family. His children rebelled, so much so that one of them tried to kill him.

Rules – relationships = rebellion.

Rules + relationships = positive response.

God disciplines us for our good, to turn us into people we should be. Why discipline? Because it teaches us how to respond to authority. Discipline helps bring about self control.

4. Holy Jealousy

Holy jealousy involves guarding of another person. This is not the selfish jealousy. This is the kind of jealousy that wants the best for another person and is jealous when they are tempted by evil.

5. Truth Teaching

Truth lived out, not just a bias about life. Jesus teaches that God is truth. Is life just chance? Order and design don’t come about by chance. It is more reasonable to believe that God brings about order and design. There are certain absolute truths that are defined by God. God calls us to learn and live the truth.

6. Friendship

Why do I say this? Because, He

  • is trustworthy and credible.
  • sacrificed himself for us.
  • is willing to be there for us when we didn’t deserve it.
  • enjoys us.
  • is concerned about our wellbeing.
  • is reliable.

 

Summary submitted by Phil Dyk