The Great House of God

Top Highlights

“Of all his names, Father is God’s favorite. We know he loves this name most because this is the one he used most. While on earth, Jesus called God ‘Father’ over two hundred times. In his first recorded words Jesus explained, ‘Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ (Luke 2:49). In his final triumphant prayer he proclaims, ‘Father, I give you my life’ (Luke 23:46). In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus repeats this name 156 times. God loves to be called Father. After all, didn’t Jesus teach us to begin our prayer with the phrase, ‘Our Abba’?” (Page 13)

“Observe a solemn principle: There are times when hearts grow so hard and ears so dull that God turns us over to endure the consequence of our choices. In this case, the demon was released to torment Saul.” (Page 152)

“The boy is content to be a hired hand. There is only one problem. Though the boy is willing to stop being a son, the father is not willing to stop being a father.” (Page 12)

“Don’t worry about having the right words; worry more about having the right heart. It’s not eloquence he seeks, just honesty.” (Page 50)

“When we come to Christ, God not only forgives us, he also adopts us. Through a dramatic series of events, we go from condemned orphans with no hope to adopted children with no fear. Here is how it happens. You come before the judgment seat of God full of rebellion and mistakes. Because of his justice he cannot dismiss your sin, but because of his love he cannot dismiss you. So, in an act which stunned the heavens, he punished himself on the cross for your sins. God’s justice and love are equally honored. And you, God’s creation, are forgiven. But the story doesn’t end with God’s forgiveness.” (Page 14)