"Our Father in heaven"... That's the opening line of The Lord's Prayer--the prayer Jesus taught us to pray.
What comes to your mind as you say that opening line? Do you think about your own dad--both the good and bad? Do you think about how God views us, his children? Do you breeze past that line or have you never really thought about what is means that God is not only our God, but also our Father?
This week at CrossWalk Church, we continue our message series in Genesis. We will be going through the account of Cain and Abel. And, surprisingly, it fits well with celebrating Father's Day, (which is the Sunday this message was recorded).
You'll see in this account God being a just and loving Father.
It's hard to read about the very first murder so early on in the history of humanity. It's easy to vilify Cain. He struggled with jealousy, anger, envy, pride and self-righteousness. Sounds like a familiar list to me and my heart.
Cain's struggle shows that sin always looks harmless and then strikes like a ferocious beast.
But, the entire time, God acted as Cain's Heavenly Father. He still extended hope and the desire for forgiveness.
He does the same for you and me.
Let's celebrate what it means that God is the Father we truly need.
The sermon entitled "Cain and Abel" was preached by Staff Minister Phil Bischoff at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Genesis: the birth of God's people" message series.
CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship:
Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am
Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am
Online: cwlk.online.church - 1pm
