God Our Heavenly FatherGod Our Heavenly Father(A Real Relationship)(A Real Relationship)

Intro: Psalm 18 was a song of deliverance. Intro: Psalm 18 was a song of deliverance. The first three verses contain revelation & The first three verses contain revelation & responsibilities. We'll look at our Heavenly responsibilities. We'll look at our Heavenly Father's character and our relationship to Him.Father's character and our relationship to Him.

A. The Revelation-This is a revelation of Jehovah as a Saviour and father to us... in verse 2, eight terms are used that describe Him to us:

1. For REFUGE, He is My Rock-the unchangeable Rock of Ages.1Sa 2:2 There is none holy as Jehovah; For there is none besides thee, Neither is there any rock like our God.

Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2. For PROTECTION, He is My Fortress

Prov. 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

3. For OPPRESSION, He is My Deliverer

Mat. 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

4. For WORSHIP, He is My GodMat. 4:10 For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

Jn. 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

5. For WEAKNESS, He is My Strength2 Cor 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

6. For DEFENSE, He is My Buckler (shield)As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

(2Sa 22:31)Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil....16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

7. For POWER, He is My “Can Do”Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go therefore...

Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

8. For PROSPECT, He is My High TowerThose seated in heavenly places have a delightful view. Those seated in heavenly places have a delightful view. From their high tower they can see the land that is “fairer than From their high tower they can see the land that is “fairer than day.”day.”Psa 18:2Psa 18:2 The LORD The LORD isis my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, of my salvation, andand my high tower my high tower. .

Eph 2:4-9 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, {5} even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), {6} and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

B. The Responsibilities.Such marvelous privileges of grace also have responsibilities. What are they?

1. Love HIM. Mat. 22:37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. (an act of the will by faith)

2. Trust HIM.Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (an act of the will by faith)

3. Call Upon HIM.

Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

4. Praise HIM

Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Those who “call upon the Lord” are most likely to praise Him. He is worthy. Think of all He has done, and of His long-suffering mercy.

Psa 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

5. Obey & Follow HIM

Jn 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Jn 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

Jn 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be followers of God, as dear children. OUR FATHER...

Our Father which art in Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy heaven, Hallowed be thy name. name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as be done in earth, as it isit is in in heaven. heaven.

Give us this day our daily Give us this day our daily bread. bread.

And forgive us our debts, as And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. the glory, for ever. Amen. Mt Mt 6:9-136:9-13

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Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except

through Me. John 14:6