Introduction
Today we are going to continue our preaching series entitled Christianity 101, as we explore our faith using the Apostles' Creed as our guide. Last week we began with an overview of the importance of this creed, specifically why the Apostles' Creed even matters. This morning we are going to look at the first affirmation, “I Believe in God the Father Almighty” as we seek to understand the nature of God and the relationship that God seeks to have with each and every one of us.
Abba! Abba!
These first seven words, “I Believe in God the Father Almighty”. What are they saying to us about God? What are they revealing to us about the nature of the God we worship? In a word, plenty.
For centuries, people have tried to understand and learn all there is to know about God. What God feels, what God demands of his disciples, what God likes and dislikes. Information is something we crave, it helps us cope, it helps us process, it helps us feel safe.
This morning as we look to the Apostles' Creed as a guide map to our faith, right here in the very beginning of this creed we are given an insight into the nature of God. A learning that reveals to us one of God's most foundational aspects. God is a father. Now think about that for a minute. God is a father.
In January 2009, Debbie and I were blessed with the opportunity to be able to take a two week trip to the Holy Land. We began our trip in Cairo, Egypt and followed the trek of the Israelites from Egypt, through the Sinai Peninsula, through Jordan, and on up to Jerusalem. We saw many of the places mentioned in Scripture, we saw the historical artifacts and monuments in Egypt, and the high places in the city of Jerusalem itself. Those places and things were absolutely amazing and in fact life altering for me. But there was one single event, one single moment, that amazingly tied all of what I felt and witnessed together. You need to understand that as part of this tour group we had chartered buses that provided our transportation on this trip. Each bus had a driver and a tour guide and while one would describe what were seeing or about to see, the other would....well drive. Well one day, we were in Jerusalem and we were getting back from a day of sight seeing and were in the middle of unloading from the bus at our hotel. As everyone is piling off and going in to get ready for dinner, I lingered a bit in the parking lot. It was a nice day out and I just wanted to soak a bit more of Jerusalem in before going inside. As I was standing there I noticed our driver had gotten off the bus and was heading for a car parked in the corner of the lot. Just as he got about half way to the car, one of the doors burst open and this little girl got out and started running toward our driver screaming, “Abba! Abba!” He started running towards her and when they met she jumped up into his arms and they hugged and spun and kissed. You could see the pure, absolute joy that both of them had at seeing one another. You could witness the awesome power of love that they both felt for one another. This was her father and she was elated beyond words to see him, to feel his embrace, and the security of his presence.
Now as a father, at the most elemental level, this means you are not a solitary figure. “God is a father and, therefore, He cannot be fully understood as a solitary figure, but as One who is in relationship.”1
The Power of Relationship
This entire creed is setup in the form of a relationship. We affirm each member of the Trinity, God, then Jesus, followed by the Holy Spirit. And as a Triune God, that means each member of the Godhead is related. As United Methodists we believe that, “there is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”2 God the Father, in relationship within Himself, eternal Father of Jesus Christ, is our Father as well.
Now we all have our own definition and experience of Father. For me, it is one as a disciplinarian. My dad was firm and strict. I knew what was expected from me and I knew what would happen to me each and every time I missed those expectations. There was consistency, there was authority, there was respect. But there was also love, devotion, sincerity. My dad, my daddy, is a man I can turn to for advice, for unconditional love, and for an ear to listen. I can count on his strong embrace, his love for the people I love, and his wisdom. There is a real and intimate relationship between me and Wayne Allen, between me and my Abba. And I am very grateful for both aspects of the relationship between me and my dad.
That is the same with God. There is discipline, there are expectations, there is consistency, there is acceptance, and there is the intimacy of an unconditional love. Dr. Timothy Tennent once wrote, “How fitting that when we, as the children of God, are first learning to speak as Christians, we begin with our first “Christian” words, affirming God as father. He is the embodiment of holiness, love, and justice”.3
...and the Almighty!
Then based in that holiness, love, and justice, we find power. Power to create, power to restore, power to redeem. Power to change lives, to bring about miracles. Folks, light was created because he spoke it. Our God is God Almighty! So it is right and appropriate for us to not only affirm God as Father, but as Almighty as well. And the beauty of this lies in its symmetry. The love, reconciliation, and acceptance works within the authority, power, and protection. One informs the other.
Both of our Scripture lessons today explain how rewards come to those that seek him (Hebrews 11:6) and how we will soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31). Because of the love of God we will be cared for. Because of the reconciliation God offers us, we will not grow weary. Because of the acceptance that we can all find in God the Father, we will all soar on wings like eagles.
Conclusion
I believe in God the Father Almighty. The Father that loves without merit and shows compassion to all humanity. The Father that redeems this title for all those who have failed it. The Father whose love knows no bounds regardless of appearance, ethnicity, or social background.
The Almighty that has the power to speak light into existence by his very words. The Almighty that can bring peace to tumultuous situations. The Almighty that has the power to save us from all things, especially from ourselves.
Our God, the One True Living God, is an awesome God. I pray that each of you are consistently growing closer to God as you progress down your path of faith. That you are always being transformed. That you are finding it easier to look beyond the outward appearance or background of others to truly love your neighbor as God loves you. That your relationship with God the Father Almighty is renewed and refreshed every day.
As you read Scripture, like our Bible Challenge, spend time in prayer, here at the altar rail, and give of yourself to the growth of this church family, look for God. Seek God out. And I can promise you will be glad you did.
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1. Tennet, Timothy. This We Believe!. Published by Seedbed, 2012.
2. The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2008. p.59.
3. Tennet, Timothy. This We Believe!. Published by Seedbed, 2012.
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