You know God is your Father.
You’ve heard it. You believe it.
But when you actually try to talk to Him…
it can still feel distant.
Formal. Careful. A bit unsure.
Like you’re not quite allowed to be fully honest.
So what does it really mean to cry “Abba, Father”?
Is that just a phrase… or something real you’re supposed to experience?
Because if this is true, it should change how you relate to God.
There’s something deeper here that shifts everything.
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
READ THE VERSE (KJV)
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 (KJV)
SECTION: WHAT DOES “SPIRIT OF ADOPTION” MEAN?
Adoption means you were brought into a family you weren’t born into.
Not temporarily.
Not conditionally.
Fully brought in.
Think about it like this.
An adopted child doesn’t earn their place over time.
They’re given a place.
Legally. Personally. Completely.
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Galatians 4:5 (KJV)
So this isn’t about working your way closer to God.
It’s about realizing you’ve already been brought in.
Here’s the question.
Are you still approaching God like an outsider… or like someone who belongs?
SECTION: WHAT IS REALLY BEING SAID HERE?
This verse contrasts two ways of relating to God.
Bondage and fear… or relationship and closeness.
Bondage says: be careful, don’t mess up, stay distant.
Adoption says: come close, you belong here.
But internally, that shift can feel hard.
Because fear is familiar.
You start thinking:
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if I’m not doing enough?
What if God is disappointed?
But this verse says you didn’t receive that spirit.
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
So if fear is leading… it’s not coming from the relationship God gave you.
SECTION: CONTEXT CHANGES EVERYTHING
This chapter is about life in the Spirit.
Not striving.
Not trying to prove yourself.
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit…”
Romans 8:9 (KJV)
So when it says “we cry, Abba, Father,”
it’s not describing a religious routine.
It’s describing what naturally flows out of this relationship.
Not forced.
Not rehearsed.
Real.
SECTION: THE CONNECTION MOST PEOPLE MISS
Jesus used this exact word.
“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee…”
Mark 14:36 (KJV)
This was in a moment of pressure.
Not calm. Not perfect.
Honest. Open. Real.
So “Abba” isn’t about sounding spiritual.
It’s about coming to God without pretending.
That same access is now given to you.
SECTION: WHERE THIS SHOWS UP IN REAL LIFE (BIBLE STORIES)
Look at Jesus Christ in the garden.
He’s overwhelmed.
Facing something heavy.
And what does He do?
He speaks openly.
“Abba, Father… take away this cup from me…”
Mark 14:36 (KJV)
No hiding.
No pretending to be strong.
Just honesty.
So ask yourself.
Are you trying to sound right with God… or actually being real with Him?
Look at David.
He didn’t hold back.
“Pour out your heart before him…”
Psalm 62:8 (KJV)
That’s what relationship looks like.
Not controlled. Not filtered.
Real.
So here’s the question.
Are you keeping things guarded… or bringing everything to Him?
SECTION: LET’S BE HONEST
This can feel uncomfortable.
Because being open like that means letting go of control.
It means dropping the image.
Admitting what’s actually going on inside.
And that’s not easy.
But listen.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart…”
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
God doesn’t move away from honesty.
He meets you in it.
SECTION: WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES WHEN YOU LIVE THIS
Here’s the shift.
You move from formal distance
to real closeness with God.
Before, your connection feels structured.
Careful words. Measured prayers. Holding things back.
Now?
You come as you are.
Honest. Open. Direct.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…”
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
Not because you’ve done everything right.
But because you’ve been brought in as a son.
That changes how you talk to God.
Not perfectly.
But personally.
OUTRO (NO PRAYER)
You’re not meant to relate to God through fear.
According to Scripture… you’ve been brought in as a child.
So the real question is…
are you going to keep holding back…
or start coming to Him like you actually belong?
Sit with that.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
