June 15, 2014 - Sunday

Start Time: 09:37 A.M.

End Time: 12:00NN

Title: The Father’s Heart

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 14:1, 2 Samuel 14:33 and 2 Samuel 18:5

God’s Message / God’s Promises / God’s Commands:

King David was not a usual example when it comes to teaching about being a Father maybe because of what happened to his kids.  But being the man after God’s own heart, David can tell us exactly who God really is as our Father for he knows His heart.

11) The Father’s heart longs for us (2 Samuel 14:1)

 14 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 

Absalom did something wrong.  He killed David’s 1^st born son in revenge to what Amnon did to his sister and so Absalom ran away and went to his Grandfather’s house, yet despite of what Absalom did, David longed for him.  David’s longing for his son was so great and obvious that his commander, Joab, noticed it.

Our Father in Heaven longs for us in the same way.  Every day, He seeks to be with us despite of what we did against Him or what we plan to do to hurt Him.  His heart longs to spend time with us even though, we left and ran far from Him.  He patiently waits and His heart’s longing is great and obvious to those who see it. 

Ex. Daddy’s Home Video!

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22)The Father’s heart is compassionate to us (2 Samuel 14:33)

³³ So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.

Absalom, came in and bowed down, did not even get the chance to say sorry or apologize for what he did yet, when David immediately greeted him with a kiss.

Our Father in Heaven is the same.  He extends His love, mercy and grace to us even before we asked of it.  All we need to do is to come and show ourselves humbly before Him.  No matter how big or small our sins are, Our Father extends His forgiveness when we come humbly before Him.  He gives healing and restoration even before we asked for it but we need to take that step to come before. 

Ex. A Father’s Day Tribute

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33) The Father’s heart will sacrifice everything for the sake of His Child (2 samuel 18:5)

⁵ The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

David’s men was ready to fight Absalom and his men and it seems like the favor is upon them but despite of this, David did not care what his people will think of him as a king, he told Joab, Abishai, Ittai, to be gentle with his son for his sake.  A king must be firm in his decisions and he should know how to punish his enemies.  A king would tell his soldiers to pursue his enemies and beheaded them…but King david here was talking not as a king but as a father, telling his commanders to be gentle with his son.  A king wouldn’t say be gentle with my enemies for my sake.  This is a father’s cry.  And he didn’t think of what the people will think of him as this clearly shows weakness as a king, he said it anyway.

Our Heavenly Father is the same to us.  When He knows we are in danger and even if we deserve it, He warns us multiple times and gives us a way out.  That’s the heart of our Father.

Ex. The walking dad!