Embracing the Father's Love on Father's Day
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate Father's Day, a day that brings a mix of emotions for many. We began with a heartfelt worship session, singing the words of God in Hebrew, which reminded us of His many attributes and His reign over us. We then moved into a time of prayer and reflection, acknowledging the different experiences we have with our earthly fathers. Some of us have had wonderful father figures, while others have experienced pain and disappointment. Regardless of our earthly experiences, we are all invited to encounter the perfect love of our Heavenly Father.
We also took a moment to honor the late Kingi, a significant leader who recently passed away, and we prayed for unity and restoration in our land, Aotearoa. This was followed by a declaration of our giving, where we acknowledged God as our faithful provider and committed to being generous stewards of His blessings.
The service included some fun activities for the kids and fathers, emphasizing the importance of family and community. We had a panel discussion with fathers from different generations, sharing their experiences and insights on fatherhood. This conversation highlighted the journey of fathering through different seasons of life and the importance of being intentional and purposeful in our roles as fathers.
We concluded with a powerful reminder of God's unconditional love for us. Jesus came to reveal the true nature of our Heavenly Father, showing us His compassion, kindness, and desire for a relationship with us. Despite our feelings of inadequacy or rejection, God promises never to abandon us. He longs to heal our wounded hearts and fill the voids left by our earthly fathers. As we move into a time of worship and reflection, let's open our hearts to receive the Father's love and allow Him to transform our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Encountering the Perfect Love of the Heavenly Father: Regardless of our experiences with earthly fathers, we are invited to encounter the perfect love of our Heavenly Father. His love is deep, everlasting, and not based on our performance. This love can heal our wounds and fill the voids left by our earthly fathers. [58:02]
2. The Importance of Unity and Restoration: We prayed for unity and restoration in our land, Aotearoa, acknowledging the calling God has on this land. This prayer reminds us of the importance of seeking unity and restoration in our communities and trusting in God's work among us. [54:16]
3. Generosity as an Act of Worship: Our giving is an act of worship, recognizing God as our faithful provider. By being generous and willing to share, we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven and trust God to provide for our needs. This mindset encourages us to be good stewards of what God has given us. [55:03]
4. Intentional and Purposeful Fatherhood: Being a father requires intentionality and purposefulness. Just as our Heavenly Father is intentional with us, we are called to be intentional with our children, guiding them with love and discipline. This approach helps in nurturing mature and responsible individuals. [40:24]
5. Healing the Orphan Heart: Many of us struggle with feelings of rejection or inadequacy, often linked to our experiences with earthly fathers. God's heart longs to heal these orphan hearts, promising never to abandon us. By embracing His fatherly love, we can experience profound transformation and healing. [44:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[46:39] - Worship in Hebrew
[50:03] - Prayer and Reflection
[50:32] - Father's Day Welcome
[51:02] - Annual Conference Announcement
[52:02] - Nightly Prayer and Worship
[53:22] - Honoring Kingi
[54:16] - Prayer for Unity and Restoration
[55:03] - Declaration of Giving
[56:24] - Father's Day Activities
[57:23] - Acknowledging Earthly Fathers
[58:02] - Encountering the Heavenly Father
[01:05:26] - Testimony by Phil
[01:06:28] - Fun and Games
[01:21:55] - Father's Day Panel Discussion
[01:40:24] - Intentional Fatherhood
[01:42:06] - Embracing the Father's Love
[01:44:12] - Healing the Orphan Heart
[01:45:17] - Closing Worship and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 14:9 - "Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?'"
2. Hebrews 12:6 - "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
3. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 - "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus reveal about the nature of the Father in John 14:9?
2. According to Hebrews 12:6, why does the Lord discipline us?
3. In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, what are believers encouraged to do with their resources?
4. How did the sermon describe the different experiences people have with their earthly fathers? ([57:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' statement in John 14:9 help us understand the character of God the Father?
2. What does the discipline mentioned in Hebrews 12:6 tell us about God's love and intentions for us?
3. How can the principles in 1 Timothy 6:18-19 be applied to our understanding of generosity as an act of worship? ([55:03])
4. How can the concept of "healing the orphan heart" be understood in light of John 14:18, where Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans? ([44:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own experiences with your earthly father. How have these experiences shaped your view of God as your Heavenly Father? ([57:23])
2. In what ways can you be more intentional and purposeful in your role as a parent or mentor, similar to how our Heavenly Father is intentional with us? ([40:24])
3. How can you actively seek unity and restoration in your community, following the example of the prayer for Aotearoa? ([54:16])
4. What steps can you take to embrace God's fatherly love and allow it to heal any feelings of rejection or inadequacy you may have? ([44:12])
5. How can you incorporate the practice of generosity into your daily life as an act of worship, recognizing God as your faithful provider? ([55:03])
6. Think of a specific way you can demonstrate the Father's love to someone who may feel abandoned or rejected. How can you be a vessel of God's compassion and kindness to them? ([58:02])
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is disciplining you. How can you respond to this discipline with a heart of gratitude and openness to growth? ([41:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Encountering the Perfect Love of the Heavenly Father
Description: Regardless of our experiences with earthly fathers, we are invited to encounter the perfect love of our Heavenly Father. His love is deep, everlasting, and not based on our performance. This love can heal our wounds and fill the voids left by our earthly fathers. The love of our Heavenly Father is unconditional and transformative. It is a love that seeks to heal our deepest wounds and fill the voids left by our earthly fathers. This love is not based on our performance or worthiness but is freely given to us. As we open our hearts to receive this love, we can experience profound healing and transformation. [58:02]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt unloved or inadequate. How can you open your heart today to receive the perfect love of your Heavenly Father?
Day 2: The Importance of Unity and Restoration
Description: We prayed for unity and restoration in our land, Aotearoa, acknowledging the calling God has on this land. This prayer reminds us of the importance of seeking unity and restoration in our communities and trusting in God's work among us. Unity and restoration are essential for the health and growth of our communities. By seeking unity, we align ourselves with God's desire for harmony and peace among His people. Restoration involves healing broken relationships and rebuilding trust. As we pray for unity and restoration, we trust in God's power to bring about change and healing in our land. [54:16]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Reflect on a relationship or community in your life that needs restoration. How can you be a peacemaker and seek unity in that situation today?
Day 3: Generosity as an Act of Worship
Description: Our giving is an act of worship, recognizing God as our faithful provider. By being generous and willing to share, we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven and trust God to provide for our needs. This mindset encourages us to be good stewards of what God has given us. Generosity is a reflection of God's character and an act of worship. When we give, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and that He is our provider. Generosity also helps us to trust in God's provision and to be good stewards of His blessings. By giving generously, we store up treasures in heaven and participate in God's work on earth. [55:03]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Consider how you can be more generous with your time, talents, or resources. What is one specific way you can give generously today as an act of worship?
Day 4: Intentional and Purposeful Fatherhood
Description: Being a father requires intentionality and purposefulness. Just as our Heavenly Father is intentional with us, we are called to be intentional with our children, guiding them with love and discipline. This approach helps in nurturing mature and responsible individuals. Fatherhood is a journey that requires intentionality and purposefulness. It involves guiding children with love, discipline, and wisdom. Just as our Heavenly Father is intentional in His relationship with us, earthly fathers are called to be intentional in their relationships with their children. This intentionality helps to nurture mature, responsible, and loving individuals who can positively impact the world. [40:24]
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: Think about your role as a parent or mentor. How can you be more intentional and purposeful in guiding those under your care today?
Day 5: Healing the Orphan Heart
Description: Many of us struggle with feelings of rejection or inadequacy, often linked to our experiences with earthly fathers. God's heart longs to heal these orphan hearts, promising never to abandon us. By embracing His fatherly love, we can experience profound transformation and healing. The orphan heart is a condition where individuals feel rejected, inadequate, or abandoned, often due to their experiences with earthly fathers. God's heart is to heal these orphan hearts and to assure us of His constant presence and love. By embracing God's fatherly love, we can experience healing and transformation, knowing that we are never alone and always cherished by our Heavenly Father. [44:12]
Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV): "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."
Reflection: Reflect on any feelings of rejection or inadequacy you may have. How can you invite God's healing love into those areas of your life today?
Quotes
1. "There's an increasing awareness that God's doing something. You know He's always moving, but He's on the move. And so we're excited for what's coming. We are, I think as a body, we're learning to discern the seasons, the times of the signs, the signs of the time. And that's exciting because there's a wave of His Spirit coming and already here. And He's reviving His people." [52:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our prayer today is that each of us would catch a glimmer of hope, that we would steal a glance of the Father in Heaven, our Heavenly Father, who is altogether lovely, whose devotion and affection towards us is so deep and everlasting." [58:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I just think like embracing God's fatherly love has the potential to completely revolutionize our lives, to just transform our lives. We're gonna dive more into this over grace and glory, but the father's love is not based on our performance. It's unconditional. It's constant. It's consistent." [01:41:29] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God loves us because we are, not because we are good, but because He is good. So simple. That's why He loves us. Not because we're good, but because He's good. And He's a good father." [01:42:06] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He takes His truth and He replaces it. And I think that there's incredible transformation that takes place when you receive a revelation of the father's love as a gift that's given freely. And as He accepts you as you are, it just blows my mind that He would accept us as we are, whether we perform or not, whether we do good or not, whether we're successful or not. What a father." [01:42:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The heart of the father longs to heal the orphan heart in all of us. So He comes to us each and He says, 'I'll not abandon you. I will not abandon you as orphans. I will come to you. I will come to you. I promise I will come to you.'" [01:44:12] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "What would it look like just to take a moment right now to open ourselves up to Holy Spirit and invite Him to do just the unthinkable, to reveal His father heart to us?" [01:45:17] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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