READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l It is a privilege for each of us to exemplify the traits of Father God as we lead and help the next generation.
Call Upon
Father God is someone we can always call upon. He is ever present, inviting and welcoming. When we call on and cry to God; the Lord inclines His ear, listens, answers and turns to me.
We, as father figures, should also bear this trait of always being available and approachable; not distant, aloof or disinterested to the next generation. Jesus taught us, as disciples, to pray to Abba Father. This was something unheard of among the Jews. For them, the word abba (papa, daddy) was too casual and disrespectful to use when addressing God the Father. For a Jewish child, the word abba is the first word to learn and utter — a word for all seasons. When a child feels hungry, cold, uncertain or frightened; he or she simply needs to call on abba, who would come and bring relief.
Jesus is similarly teaching us the first word in our spiritual vocabulary, which reflects our relationship with our Abba father. Even when we don’t know how to express our needs or wants, we can still pray to Abba Father with groans that cannot be expressed in words. We pray through the Spirit to Abba Father.
Merciful & Gracious
The Psalmist describes God as merciful, gracious, good, forgiving and slow to anger. We need to understand that God is like that to me; not someone who is impatient, mean and fault finding. God tends and spares us; well our feeble frame God knows.
As adults, we often anticipate possible future disasters and outcomes. This may tempt us to step in and impose our will. We say no, in order to control the situation. But God is merciful, patient, gracious, kind and gives us freedom. We, as fathers and father figures, ought to also have that same trait of mercy and grace to the child and next generation.
On My Side
Father God is on my side and my supporter. God faithfully answered and preserved the life of the Psalmist and was a constant source of help and comfort. The Psalmist described God as abounding in steadfast love toward him. The apostle Paul also reminds us that God is for us (not against us, a critic or contender). It is comforting and reassuring to know that our father or father figure is someone who is always on my side and supporting us.
May we, as fathers, also live up to this trait of Father God and be merciful, gracious and on their side — ever ready to listen and receive when they call. On this Father’s Day, as we honour our father and father figures in our lives, may we in turn exemplify the traits of our heavenly father to our children and to the next generation.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Read Ps.86 and identify the traits of the Fatherhood of God in the Psalmist’s experience.
- The sermon mentioned three traits of godly fatherhood. What is one that you are thankful to God for in your father? Share anecdotes of your experiences.
- Share examples of how these three traits of godly fatherhood can be demonstrated.
- Which trait do I want to exemplify and how will I practice this to my child/next generation?
