Date Posted: 2025-09-22 05:14:37 | Video Duration: 01:13:02
At Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, the congregation is on a heartfelt journey of understanding and community, beautifully exemplified in their recent sermon series, “A Word of Wisdom.” This series, focusing on 52 words of wisdom for the year, seeks to deepen the faith of the congregation by exploring different names and aspects of God. The sermon this past Sunday was both enlightening and comforting, centering around the intimate Aramaic term “Abba,” meaning “Father,” and its profound implications for our relationship with God.
As the service began, the congregation was welcomed with open arms, embodying the church’s mission that “all belong to God and we seek to live like we belong to one another.” The church’s activities fair filled the atrium, offering numerous opportunities for community engagement and volunteerism, reflecting the church’s dedication to service and fellowship.
The sermon reminded us of the revolutionary nature of Jesus using the term “Abba” to address God. In the context of first-century traditions, this term was scandalously intimate and personal. The pastor explained that no one in the biblical narrative had ever dared to use such a term for God before Jesus. This intimate address signifies a deep, familial relationship, one of love and belonging, as opposed to the distant formality that characterized previous references to God.
Galatians 4:6-7 was highlighted, where Paul writes, “And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!'” This scripture challenges us to perceive our relationship with God as one of children to a loving parent, rather than mere adherents to laws and rituals. The sermon emphasized how Paul’s own transformation from Saul, a strict adherent to the law, to Paul, a proponent of God’s personal and unconditional love, illustrates the power of understanding God as “Abba.”
The sermon also addressed the common misconception that our spiritual struggles stem from not loving God enough. Instead, it suggested that the real struggle lies in not fully understanding how deeply God loves us. This love is unconditional, unearned, and unwavering, a truth that can transform our lives if we allow it to permeate our hearts. A touching anecdote from Ernest Hemingway’s story “The Capital of the World” was shared, illustrating the universal longing for forgiveness and love.
The sermon concluded with a call to action inspired by the legendary reformer Martin Luther, who began each day by remembering his baptism. Congregants were invited to do the same, using water to remind themselves of their identity in Christ and the promise of God’s love. By doing so, they can orient themselves towards living out this divine love in their daily lives.
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church continues to encourage its members to embrace this intimate relationship with God, urging each one to experience and share the love that God offers. The message of “Abba” reminds us all that we are beloved children of God, called to love and serve one another with the same grace and compassion that we receive from our heavenly Father.
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