Because the Reformers found this letter to the Romans so packed with support for their protest of what was happening in the church 500 years ago, Lutheran preachers, including this one, can get tangled in the theological fine points of each passage, each verse, each phrase, even each word. I want you to hear the delight Paul shares in Romans 8:12-25
Generally one of the first words spoken by an English-speaking child is "Daddy. Apparently the equivalent is true for children speaking other languages. As in our passage from Romans 8 where Paul offers "Abba" as an appropriate name for God. Abba is what mid-Eastern children first call their fathers.
I read about a couple who were eager first parents. The father was a professor of mid-Eastern languages. The mother was a professor of education. The couple decided that the mother would stay home with the child for the first few years. Among the early things the mother taught their daughter was to say "Daddy". The day came when the mother and daughter were at the door to greet the father. When she saw her father, the little girl shouted out, "Abba!"
Though the equivalent of Abba may be Daddy, we are hard pressed to imagine praying the LordÕs Prayer by beginning, "Our daddy, who art in heaven" but this is sort of what Paul has in mind. Paul intends that readers know God as a loving father rather than a judge to be feared. When Benedict XVI was elected as Pope this spring, I remember hearing the crowds shouting, "Papa, Papa" Their shouts were filled with joy and gladness. As if they were welcoming their father home.
One of the privileges of my age is to become a grandfather. I'm not quite sure how it got started but my grandchildren call me "Papa" I like it — has kind of an old European feel to it. Last weekend my 18-month-old grandson, Owen, worshipped with us. Whenever he said "Papa," he got lots of affirmation. So he said it a lot. I'm not sure that he knows yet what he is saying but É
On Monday his mother, Heidi, called on her cell phone and left a message. She was driving home from the grocery store with Owen. He was chirping away in his car seat, "Papa, Papa, Papa, ..."
Today my two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Emma, is worshipping with us. When she and her mother pulled into the driveway early last evening, she realized where she was and shouted, "Gama's house!" When she spotted me, she said matter-of-factly, "Hi Papa."
Whether Abba, or Daddy or Papa, or Amma, Mom or Mama. There is a security in the names we use to call upon our parents. It is this security (confidence) that Paul encouraged when he wrote. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (Rom. 8:15c-16)
O Papa is the title I've given this sermon. Underlying it is my hope that you will hear about living in the joy of being children of God and heirs of salvation.
[Please don't hear this title as pejorative. We know well the essential role fathers and mothers have in the life of children. Paul's proclamation is within his context and he uses the image of God as loving Father, Abba, in order to make his point to his readers who were men. We now are his readers and we need to do some translating into our context.]
As I prepared form this morning, many images of fathers came to mind;"Wait Ôtil your father gets home" is one — it could be a fearsome thought. I have counseled many who have had difficulties with their fathers;
Some fathers have been cruel; their children feared them.
Some fathers have been unfair; their children avoided them.
Some fathers have been abusive; their children have hated them to the grave.
Some fathers were never known or are not remembered:
He left or died before the child knew him.
Or the child never experienced a close relationship with their father.
I offer you this morning the delight of O Papa. There could be joy in, "Wait 'til your father gets home". "When Papa gets home, there will be even more joy in our day together."
In Romans 8 of Paul is laying the foundation for what will come in the next 3 chapters when he wrestles with a problem dear to his heart that the Jewish people did not accept Christ as the Messiah.
He wants it clear — God's people are not enslaved to the law. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, (8:15a). We need not fear God as though God is a cruel master. Rather, God is like a loving father — Abba — O Papa. it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (8:16).Everyone who has received the gospel of Jesus Christ is a child of God. He has already told us the outcome of our welcoming the Spirit's leading. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (8:14). It's one thing to be God's child. It's another to be God's son. I am making this important distinction so you can understand Paul's point. Being sons of God is to be in the will of the royal family. This is one of those contextual things. As I understand it, sons could inherit; daughters could not. Being a child of God is automatic — God created all people. Being an heir of salvation is for those led by the Spirit of God. Paul is inviting us to lives of joyful obedience. Spirit-led lives because we know the saving gospel of Jesus Christ
Years ago there was an evangelism program developed in a retirement community.People would be asked, "If you die tonight, will you go to heaven?" What a gripping question to ask people over 65. Paul wants his readers to know confidently the answer. I want you to confidently know the answer. For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). Paul's confidence is for all who are led by the Spirit. Our obedience is not out of fear (growling) Wait 'til your father gets home. Our obedience comes from our confident joy (eager) Wait 'til your father gets home.
Here you are this morning gathered for worship on a bright summer day. A kind of obedience to the 3rd commandment, Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy (Ex. 20:8). Are you here for fear of hell fire? Does your heart scream with terror O Papa?
My hope is that you are here to praise and thank God for all his kindnesses.
To be assured that the promise of salvation is real and for you.
To be part of this mission-minded fellowship:
Distributing food
Building another Habitat house
Soon sending Gretchen off to Kenya
Soon welcoming Pastor Senkoro, Elisante and Severa
Supporting the drilling of a well at Mforo so an orphanage can be built
To be led by the Spirit.
To pray for peace in the middle east.
To recover from a week of service.
To be inspired for the coming week.
And to eat the meal of forgiveness, life and salvation.
My hope is that your heart sings a joyful melody of O Papa.
A couple of weeks ago I was browsing at Pella Books where Alfred Post presides. Just "letting the volumes whisper to me" as Professor Holm used to say . I picked up a book about the Monks of New Skete. I know them for their work with German Shepherds, but this book was about their perspective on life. They are certain that God intends us to be happy. They teach that happiness is not something we can go out and get. Rather that happiness is the serenity and contentment that God gave us. Our discontent is what leads to our unhappiness. The monks would have us know that God, through Jesus Christ, has established communities/congregations of faith so that serenity and contentment can be lived.
Paul invites us to such an awareness when he wrote, I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (8:18). Then he goes on to report. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now (8:22). Paul's now is the 1st century revelation of the love of God in Jesus Christ which we know, we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (8:16)
Patience — sounds like contentment and serenity to me, O Papa.
Romans 8:12-25
12So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it, in hope 21because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.