Summary: Little children express their love to their parents with a vibrant love. We are to Love the FATHER, as our little children love us. We prove our Love to the Father, by our obedience to Him. Jesus proved His love for us by taking our place upon the cross.

6.15.08

Daddy’s Children

A message for any day including Fathers Day

By William Akehurst, HSWC

Daddy’s Children

Verse: 1 John 3:1

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God”

THEME:

We are to Love the Father, as our little children love us.

We prove our Love to the Father, by our obedience to him

THOUGHTS:

When a child is injured, hurt or wounded

We would rather see ourselves hurt then for them to hurt.

If we could take it away from them, we would

We would rather take their place

THIS IS WHAT GOD DID FOR US!

= = =

Daddy’s Children

From the eyes of a father

What do I love about being a father?

Butterfly Kisses. Each of my children had them. You know the kind when they kiss your cheek and you feel their

eyelashes against your skin.

Kiss and a Cross. My little 3 year old girl will not let me leave the house without her giving me a kiss and a cross on my

forehead. She kisses me, then takes her little finger and runs it across my forehead in the sign of the cross, her

crosses sometimes go down to my chin. Sometimes they are from ear to ear.

Holding Hands. When we cross the road or pavement, we go hand in hand, or perhaps its finger to hand. My little

ones grab on to my finger as we walk together.

Loving Greetings. When I return home. The littlest ones would run to greet me. “Daddy, you’re home” they would shout

with excitement. I could have had the worst day, but they would be the first to cheer my return.

Big Hugs. My little ones come running to me and reach out their arms and hug…my leg, my forearm or my neck.

“Daddy, I wuv you” says my 3 year old.

These are precious times, when children are young.

We love the adoration of our children when they are young.

We love the adoration of them anytime. It actually can make my day, and lift my spirits.

It’s because of this love, that we share, that I desire the best for them.

When I asked you men what you love about being a dad.

You said, Caring for them, Providing for them, Teaching and Guiding them.

Helping them and Protecting them.

Each of us desiring the best for our children

We want to see them reach their fullest.

==

GOD the FATHER has the same desires for HIS children.

FATHER’s LOVE

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but

have everlasting life.

We must realize that God loves us so much, that HE desires for us to be with HIM and LOVE HIM and be HIS CHILD.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…

John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

2 Thess 2:16-17

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting

consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

FATHERS LOVE UNENDING

Romans 8:38-39

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor

things to come,

39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ

Jesus our Lord.

FATHER TEACH/GUIDE

Psalm 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Psalm 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

FATHER’S WISDOM

Exodus 35:31

And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of

workmanship;

1 Kings 4:29

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is

on the sea shore.

Ephesians 1:17

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the

knowledge of him:

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given

him.

FATHER PROTECTION, REFUGE

Psalm 62:7

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalm 91:2

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psalm 94:22

But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

FATHER FORGIVE

Matthew 6:15-15

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:35

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their

trespasses.

Mark 11:25-26

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive

you your trespasses.

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

==

We want to see our children reach their fullest. And when they stumble and fall, we run to pick them back up and get

them on their feet once more.

We hurt for them when they hurt.

We care for them when they hurt

We cry for them when they are in pain or circumstances

We love them no matter what

A grandmother said of her grandson who had just been killed in a car accident. I wish it weren’t so. I would rather have

had it be me then him.

Or the father, whose child is suffering from an illness. I wish I could take away the pain and the suffering. I wish I could

switch places so my child wouldn’t have to suffer.

We realize that GOD the FATHER desires for us HIS children to not suffer. To not perish.

We are GOD’s Children

He cares for us the same way

When a child is injured, hurt or wounded

We would rather see ourselves hurt then for them to hurt.

If we could take it away from them, we would

We would rather take their place

THIS IS WHAT GOD DID FOR US!

THIS IS WHY JESUS CAME TO DIE FOR OUR SINS. OUR LORD LOVES US SO MUCH AS HIS DEAR

CHILDREN, THAT HE WOULD RATHER TAKE OUR PLACE IN PUNISHMENT, THE TO SEE HIS CHILDREN

SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SHORTCOMINGS, OUR SINS.

But to be HIS CHILD, we must accept, confess and believe in what HE did for us.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but

have everlasting life.

We must first receive, then believe.

We must love.

Our Heavenly FATHER desires for us to love HIM.

HE calls us HIS children. We should love HIM just as a 3 year old, running to greet HIM. Showing adoration and love.

Sending up Hugs and Kisses with our prayers and praise. This is a father’s desire, this is our heavenly FATHER’s

desire.

Deut 6:5

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

This is what our FATHER in heaven desire for us. HE loves it when we come running to HIM. Hugging and Kissing

HIM with our prayers and adoration. This is what the FATHER in heaven desires for us, that we

This is what the FATHER has done for us.

How does a father know we love HIM?

BY OUR OBEDIENCE

GOD OUR FATHER desires not only for us to LOVE HIM, but to OBEY and SERVE HIM.

FATHER DEMANDS OBEDIENCE

Psalm 112:1 Praise Ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his

commandments

Jeremiah 7:23

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk

ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

GOD OUR FATHER WANTS THE BEST FOR US

1 Kings 2:3

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his

judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and

whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

3 John 1

2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the

truth.

4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

We are GOD’s Children

We are to LOVE HIM as our HEAVENLY FATHER.

And to LOVE HIM is to SERVE HIM

I am reminded of one of the verses from the Song “We are climbing Jacob’s Ladder’

If you love Him, why not serve Him

If you love Him, why not serve Him

If you love Him, why not serve Him

Children of the LORD

HIS desire is for us to come to HIM today.

If you haven’t made that choice to receive the LORD JESUS into your hearts, won’t you do it today.

Let us Pray

==

FURTHER NOTES:

If you’ve decided today to give your heart to the FATHER:

From the Father’s Love Letter

Your New Relationship With God

As you begin your new life as God’s child, you will have the privilege of getting to know Him as your Father. You are

now part of His incredible family! By faith in Jesus Christ, you can be assured of the following truths...

1.You Are God’s Child - John 1:12-13

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children

born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (NIV Bible)

2. God Loves You - 1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we

are! (NIV Bible)

3. You Have The Assurance Of Eternal Life - John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have

eternal life. (NIV Bible)

4. He Put His Holy Spirit In You - 2 Corinthians 1:21-21

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and

put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.

5. You Can Talk Directly To God - Matthew 7:7-11

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who

asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for

bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to

give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (NIV

Bible)

6. Nothing Will Ever Separate You From His Love - Romans 8:38

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any

powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in

Christ Jesus our Lord.