ARM Prison Outreach
International
"Ministers’
Minute" Volume 9 Number
6
HE IS OUR
FATHER!
Editor’s Note: This "MM" is the sixth
email message of 2010 in a series that ARM is sending as an
encouragement to preachers, chaplains, and Christian workers around the
world. This issue is the 102nd "MM" sent!!! All are archived --
just click here to see links to all messages sent
since January of 2002.
This month's message is by Gary Kins, evangelist in Sparta, Wisconsin;
IT IS JUST IN TIME FOR FATHER'S DAY and are thankful he has allowed us to share
it here. It is a bit more like an outline that a manuscript, but I
think you'll find it a keeper, even if you don't use it this year. It is
my prayer that this message will encourage you and those you teach
and lead.
May God bless your
labors! -- Rod Farthing, Development
Director
HE IS OUR
FATHER!
Introduction:
1. 30 year old King George
VI - congenital stammer.
"There will be no real progress possible unless you forget
all you have learned about voice production and go back to the beginning,
training yourself afresh to pronounce ‘mama’, ‘papa’." Lional Logue, Austrian
speech therapist.
2. Every human being has flaws that need to be treated.
"There will be no real progress unless you go back to the
beginning." Holy Spirit.. Abba.
3. Three times the word "Abba." used in the New
Testament
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you.
Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:36
"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into
our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4;6
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again
to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,
Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God's children." Romans 8:15,16
4. Three passages illustrate the reasons that we should honor
God and accept Him as our father.
I. He Is The Father of Our
Salvation
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he
is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject
to the guardians and the trustees until the time set by his father. So also,
when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the
world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born
under the law, that we might receive full rights as sons. because you are Sons,
God sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls Out "Abba,
father." So then you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son,
God has made you also an heir.- Galatians 4:1-7
1. Coming of age... 1) Jewish boy - 12 years old - Son
of the Law... 2) Greek boy - Father’s son (7-18) State’s (19,20)... 3) Roman boy
- Father’s son (14-18) Put on adult’s toga.
2. We come of age when we put on Christ by faith.
"You are all sons of
God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians
3:26,27
3. The freedom of true adulthood is found in Jesus.
II. He Is The Father of A Vast
Family of Adopted Children.... Romans 8:14-17
14 "Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are the
sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to
fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father."
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and coheirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also in His glory.’ 1.
Privileged Children
1. Guided - 14
2. Delivered - 15
3. Adopted - 16
4. Promised - 17
III. He Will Be Father of
Children for Eternity - Romans 8:18-21
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth
comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in
eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who
subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its
bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
IV. He Is The Father Who Is
Always There... Mark 14:32-36
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and
Jesus said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James, and
John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled." My soul
is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. "Stay here
and keep watch." Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that
if possible the hour might pass from Him, "Abba, father, he said, "everything is
possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you
will.
With God as father all things are possible.
With God as father all things are bearable.
With God as father you have an abiding
presence.
Conclusion:
1. God Our Father - Enabler,
Provider, Empowerer.
2. Live on O King
eternal.
Remain faithful unto death .."
Rev. 2:10B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rod
Farthing, ARM National Development Director rodfar@arm.org
3127 Hwy K, Salem, MO 65560
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