Congregation: Acorns Oasis International Church
Opening Passage: Psalm 103:13; Matthew 6:9-13
- "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him."
On this special day when we honor fathers, let us turn our hearts and minds to our Heavenly Father, who embodies the purest form of love, guidance, and protection.
I. What is God as Our Heavenly Father?
-Scripture & Points:
1. Protector: Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
2. Provider: Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
3. Guide: Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
II. Why Does God Care for Us?**
- *Scripture & Points:*
1. Love: 1 John 3:1 - "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."
2. Mercy: Lamentations 3:22-23 - "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
3. Faithfulness: Deuteronomy 7:9 - "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
III. When Do We Experience God's Love?
- *Scripture & Points:*
1. **In Prayer:** Jeremiah 29:12 - "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."
2. **In Worship:** Psalm 22:3 - "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."
3. **In Trials:** Romans 5:3-5 - "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance... and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
IV. How Does God Demonstrate His Love?
- Scripture & Points:
1. Through Jesus Christ:** John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
2. Through the Holy Spirit:** Romans 5:5 - "...because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
3. Through His Word:** Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
V. Benefits of Being God's Children
- Scripture & Points:
1. Eternal Life: John 10:28-29 - "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
2. Spiritual Blessings: Ephesians 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
