The following notes are from the sermon given by Pastor Robert Taylor at Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian church on 15 June 2013 which was Father’s Day weekend!
Fatherhood
Names that we call Father include: Dad, Daddy, Pop. Jesus called God: Father.
Romans 8:15
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.”
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Luke 24:46
Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.
The first two books of the Bible, Genesis 1 and 2, introduce man to our Father as the Creator of the world.
The Great Controversy between Good and Evil is all about the Character of God.
Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
1. Do you know our Heavenly Father’s true character?
Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
1 Peter 1:18
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.
Be careful when you say that you will not ever be like your parent.
2. Knowing God Reveals Truth
Isaiah 6:3
One cried to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”
Daniel 4:35
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
When Nebuchadnezzar saw God’s goodness, he was changed and transformed. Daniel was a devout follower of the Lord and his actions led to King Nebuchadnezzar’s change of heart.
John 17:3
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Daniel 11:32
Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
The transformed person displays Christ like character. In Christ Object Lessons, page 30, Ellen White wrote about all the righteous attributes.
Matthew 5:48
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Jesus reveals the true character of the Father-God of Love.
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Our heavenly Father is glorified when we worship Him. Ellen White wrote in Christ Object Lessons, page 331 about how the Father changes our heart and minds by His Grace!
3. Loving Our Heavenly Father
Are you reflecting His Character Today? Have you allowed His Character to Transform You?