God's Word and Lecture

Lecture 5

Sunday Lecture: THE ABBA FATHER

1. The Creator
God as the Creator is the foundation of everything. From the very first moment, He spoke into existence the entire universe and all that is in it. The repeated phrase "God said" demonstrates the power and authority of God's word.

"Let there be light." (Genesis 1:3)
This is the first act of creation. Light symbolizes knowledge, goodness, and the presence of God. The world, at first, was "without form and void," but when God spoke, light appeared, pushing back the darkness. This wasn't just physical light but also spiritual enlightenment, showing God's ability to bring order and understanding.

"Let there be space." (Genesis 1:6)
The creation of space is important because it creates the foundation for the rest of creation. God created a place for life to exist and thrive—He made the sky and separated the waters. This act shows that God desires to organize and set boundaries, giving everything its proper place.

"Let the earth bring forth living creatures." (Genesis 1:24)
Every living thing—beasts of the field, birds of the air, and fish of the sea—was made according to God's will. God's plan for creation was intentional. It shows the careful thought and purpose behind each creature.

"Let us make man in our own image." (Genesis 1:26)
Here, God creates humanity in His image. This means we are set apart from the rest of creation. While animals and plants are made to live within the created order, humans have a unique relationship with God, having the ability to reason, love, create, and make moral choices. We were created for communion with God, to reflect His character and stewardship over creation.
God, as Creator, establishes a loving and purposeful relationship with us, one that began with creation and continues as He sustains the world.

2. The Righteous God
In Deuteronomy 32:4, we see that God is described as "The Rock," whose works are perfect and all His ways are just. His justice and righteousness are key to His character.

"Siya ang bato" – The rock here symbolizes stability, dependability, and strength. God is unshakable and faithful in His actions.

"Walang kapitasan ang lahat niyang gawa" – His works are flawless. Nothing He does is flawed or imperfect.

"Matuwid ang lahat niyang kilos" – God's actions are always right and just, and we can trust that He will always make the right decision for us.
When we recognize God's righteousness, it challenges us to live righteously as well. We, as His creation, are invited to mirror this justice and truth in our own lives.

3. The God Who Heals
God is not only a Creator, but also a Healer. In Exodus 15:26, God promises the Israelites that He is their healer: "I am Yahweh, who heals you."

This reveals two important things:
1. God's willingness to heal – Whether it's physical sickness, emotional pain, or spiritual brokenness, God desires to heal and restore. He is the ultimate physician.

2. The condition for healing – God promised healing if the Israelites listened to His commands and walked in His ways. This is a reminder that healing, both physical and spiritual, is often connected to obedience to God's will.
God's healing isn't just about curing disease; it's about holistic restoration. He heals our broken hearts, minds, and souls, drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.

4. The God Who Blesses
In Genesis 26:24, God speaks to Isaac, affirming His covenant promise: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and increase your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham."

This is a promise of:

Divine protection – God reassures Isaac not to fear. In life, we face many uncertainties, but God's presence is a constant source of protection.

Provision – God promises blessings not only to Isaac but also to his descendants. These blessings encompass all aspects of life: material, relational, spiritual, and emotional.

Generational blessings – God's blessing doesn't stop with us. Our obedience and faithfulness can bring blessings not only to us but to future generations as well.
When God blesses us, it's not just for us to enjoy personally, but to extend those blessings to others. His blessings are a testament to His goodness and an invitation for us to be a blessing to the world.

5. He is Love
In 1 John 4:16, we are reminded that "God is love." This is one of the most profound truths about God's nature. His very essence is love, and all His actions flow from that love.

God's love is unconditional – God loves us not because we are perfect, but because He chooses to love us. His love doesn't depend on our performance or behavior; it's constant and unchanging.

God's love is sacrificial – The greatest demonstration of God's love is seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Love isn't just a feeling or an idea—it's an action.

God's love is transformative – When we experience God's love, it changes us. We are called to live in love and to love others as God has loved us.
God's love is what calls us into a deeper relationship with Him, enabling us to live in peace and to share that love with others.

6. He is Spirit
In John 4:24, Jesus teaches that "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

God is not confined to a physical form – Unlike humans, who are limited by space and time, God is Spirit, meaning He is beyond the physical realm. His presence is not confined to a building or an object, but is everywhere, and we can connect with Him anywhere through the Spirit.

Worship in spirit and truth – True worship comes from the heart and is rooted in truth. It's not just about outward rituals; it's about a genuine relationship with God that transcends physical spaces and focuses on authenticity and sincerity.

This also means that our relationship with God is not based on outward performance, but on the sincerity of our hearts. Worshiping God in spirit means we allow Him to work in our hearts and lead us into truth.

7. He is the Father
In Matthew 3:17, God the Father speaks from heaven during Jesus' baptism, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This moment reveals God's heart as a Father who is deeply affectionate toward His Son.

The loving Father – God is not a distant, unfeeling deity, but a loving Father who delights in His children. His love for Jesus is an example of how He loves us.

The approving Father – God affirms Jesus publicly. Likewise, as His children, God affirms us, encouraging us to live in a way that pleases Him.

The disciplining Father – Just as an earthly father corrects and disciplines his child for their good, so does God, because He loves us and wants us to grow into maturity.
As children of God, we are invited to approach Him with trust and intimacy, knowing that He is both a loving and wise Father who has our best interests at heart.

Conclusion:

2 Corinthians 6:18
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
This declaration encapsulates the essence of the message: God desires to be our Father, and we are His beloved children. As we reflect on the different facets of God's character—His creativity, righteousness, healing power, blessings, love, spirit, and fatherhood—let us remember that we are not just His creation, but His children. This relationship shapes everything about how we live and how we interact with the world.
We are invited to experience the fullness of God as our ABBA Father, who is always present, always loving, and always willing to guide us in every aspect of our lives.

Amen.