'Be not afraid to say…'

Taken from the intimation sheet: Sunday 16 November 2014

This Sunday evening we’ll be hosting the second of our Youth Emphasis services. The service will be tailored for young people, but all are invited – and I’m sure all will be very much ministered to by our preacher Doug Watson (Doug will be sharing some of his testimony as well as preaching).

Our Youth Emphasis services are looking at the theme of ‘Identity’ from Ephesians 1. This week Doug will be thinking about adoption, which gives me the chance to share one of my favourite Spurgeon quotes.

Spurgeon says:

“You have no rights as a subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but nothing can forfeit a child’s right to a father’s protection. Be not afraid to say, “My Father, hear my cry.”

We have rebelled against the King. But in Christ Jesus, the King has bought us back and adopted us as sons and daughters. We do not have to approach him as traitors, as Law breakers. We can approach him in confidence as children and heirs. No longer slaves, but sons!

“How great is a Father’s love to his children! That which friendship cannot do, and mere benevolence will not attempt, a father’s heart and hand must do for his sons. They are his offspring, he must bless them; they are his children, he must show himself strong in their defence. If an earthly father watches over his children with unceasing love and care, how much more does our heavenly Father?

Abba, Father! He who can say this, hath uttered better music than cherubim or seraphim can reach. There is heaven in the depth of that word – Father! There is all I can ask; all my necessities can demand; all my wishes can desire. I have all in all to all eternity when I can say, ‘Father.’”