ABBA!
By: Ron Crandall
Rom 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(KJV)
AB (father), an element in the composition of many proper names, of which Abba is a Chaldaic form, having the sense of “endowed with,” “possessed of.”
Names and Titles Of
The names and titles of God reflect the greatness of his being and nature. In titles denoting his greatness, he is the Almighty; the first (former); the Most High (to come up, ascend; highest); the Lord; the Lord of Hosts (Sabaoth); the Holy One; the living God (live); the Lawgiver.
In terms of his relationship with his people, he is Father and Abba; and in titles which reflect his activity, he is the Redeemer; the Husbandman; the Maker and Author of life.
His character is shown in titles such as the Amen and the stone (rock) of Israel.
FATHER IN THE GREEK: IS PATER - from the a root signifying a nourisher(one who provides with substances necessary to life and growth), protector, upholdolder
We all have at one time or another come to the end of our rope and felt like we were hanging on by the last thread.
That last thread produces fear, anxiety, depression and for some people it causes them to use of mind altering drugs and look for fulfillment in all the wrong places.
I want to share with you that there is hope!
There is a way; to better understand my problems, situations and sometimes the messes we get ourselves into. (You know those things (messes) we get ourselves into, and try and blame everyone and their brother for and even going to the length of blaming the God of deliverance for our bondage.)
I want to share a story with you taken out of the book of Luke, the physician, or healer (I hope you catch that).
God does not make any mistakes only humbled mighty warriors, who after their fall or sin come to understand that God has everything in control.
I want to continue this morning going a little further and a little deeper and come to an understanding that it is necessary to fear (respect) the Lord.
Not a type of fear that produces intimidation, but the type of fear that is healthy fear!
A reverential fear, of God as a controlling motive of life.
In matters both spiritual and moral, not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him.
Coming into a place of responsibility with our walk with God. And holding precious what he has entrusted to us.
Rom 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(KJV)
5401 phobos (fob’-os);
from a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:
KJV-- be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
A fear which banishes the terror, that shrinks in His presence, and which influences our disposition and attitude of one whose circumstances are guided by trust in God, through the indwelling of Spirit of God. Vines (page 84)
The church of Acts walked in the fear of the Lord.
Acts 9:31
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
(KJV)
2 Cor 7:1
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
(KJV)
We have an inheritance through the promises of God. But like a natural inheritance there are stipulations put on the receiving of the inheritance. Here Paul writes that ;
1. We need to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
2. We need to become holy as he is holy
3. We need to respect his Presence and His place of authority in our lives.
Eph 5:21
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
(KJV)
The reverential fear of God will inspire a constant carefulness in dealing with others in His fear. Vines (page 84)
***Taking Responsibility for our actions:
Turn with me to Luke 15:21
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
When I began this series I taught on the fear of the lord.
I read some of the Greek words for fear and their definitions:
Phobos- flight or that which is caused by being scared, dread or terror
Paul writing in Romans 8:15 and then to Young timothy says
2 Tim 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(KJV)
1167 deilia (di-lee’-ah);
from 1169; timidity:
I would define timidity as being mediocre
Webster defines as Mediocrity- average, ordinary or inferior
Too many of us are just willing to settle for average, when God has called us a “Royal Priesthood,” that sure does not sound average to me.
I get this all the time “Hey Pastor it isn’t that bad just to be ordinary.”
It is when God has so much more for us than our finite minds can understand and maybe that is where the war is, because we cannot see our destiny and fully do not comprehend our Father and his love for us and that he is the one who is our provision, we just settle…for what ever sounds fair.
I don’t want what sounds fair I want everything that the provider has for me.
When you look at the story of Prodigal son we find some nuggets of Gold for our lives and our understanding of Father God.
Scripture Reading:
I. We find that the father had more than one son
Luke 15:11-32
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
II. Even though it was the younger son who came first to ask for His inheritance. The Father still gave it to the son that asked.
Jesus said “you have not because you ask not.”
III. The Father did not restrain the son from leaving
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
I am sure that the Father knew what his sons intensions where before he left. I know that I can tell you why son does some of the things he does and why because I know him inside and out.
Sometimes David will ask for something and I know what the end of the matter is before he even gets there, yet if I try and do it for him, then it nothing more than me doing it and he learns nothing. I have to let go and put him in God’s hands.
IV. A hard lesson to learn
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
V. The shaking and awaking of the inner man due to hardship
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Many of us have felt exactly like this young man. I am unworthy to be called a son of God. Why would he want me back after I have wasted what he has given to me. But I know my father, I may have to pay a price but life in his house is better than life with these pigs. Man I stink I have the smell of pig all over me. Yet I remember his touch, I remember his embrace, forget these pigs I am going home.
There was a tremendous attitude change due to what he had brought on himself. His Father (provider) could not be blamed for where he was, because at his Fathers House there was always provision.
And every time in that pig pen he thought of the Father it brought back good memories, memories of provision, memories of caring, memories of Love.
VI. The road back to Father Demands that we come His way
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The Father of provision was looking for his son. There is a part of me in him.
The Father was not concerned with where he had been but where he was now and met him on the road.
The Father demonstrated his love to his son by compassion, an embrace and his kiss.
VII. The Son repents
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
VIII. The Father of Provision is a Father of Restoration
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
IX. An angry brother, seethes with jealousy
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
X. We need to fully understand and respect the Fathers heart
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
(KJV)
There was a elderly man who had a disabled son. One day the elderly Father died and the disabled son was left being cared for by the servants. While his father was still living he had a artist paint a picture of his son and being proud he had hung it on the wall all the years of his life. Now the disabled son was dying and family members could not wait for they were eager to gain the wealth of the Father from the son’s death. The son finally died and the attorney was setting everything in order selling possessions and because of the faithfulness of the servants he gave them the opportunity to choose one thing from the house as a gift for taking care of the elderly man’s disabled son. Some quickly chose furniture and jewelry and yet the son’s nurse only asked for the painting of the son that had hung proudly on the wall. As the men where taking it from the wall they found an envelope was taped to it’s back, with the words “Last will and testament and it gave the Father’s name.” The attorney stopped all that was going on in the house and began to read the the words written by a loving father. Tears began to stream down his face as he began to read the will...” Family members and servants were growing impatient and asked well what does it say? The attorney replied to them simply it says: “He who loves my son, is heir to ALL that I have.”
Is not that like Abba Father … He who loves my son is heir to all that I have…
Invitation:
