What do you think of when you hear the name "Abba?"

A Swedish pop group that broke through in the 70's with songs like "Dancing Queen'" and "Mama Mia?"

Thousands of years before the musical group was formed, "Abba" was a word that regularly rolled off the lips of little children. It's an Aramaic word that means "Father" or "Daddy."

There was nothing unusual or remarkable about this word among the 1st Century Jewish people living at the time of Jesus.

What is incredible is that Jesus would use this simple, common, intimate word to describe God. The devout Jewish people among whom Jesus lived had such a deep reverence and profound respect for God that they wouldn't even say the name 'Yahweh.' Yet suddenly Jesus arrives on the scene and begins teaching that people could call on the God of heaven, 'Jehovah,' and they could call Him 'Abba' or 'Daddy.'

This weekend we're celebrating Father's Day at ERBC, and, as part of our celebration, we're continuing our look at the names of God with a look at the name that helps us to see God as our perfect Father, our 'Abba!'

I hope you will join us Saturday evening at 5:30PM or Sunday morning at 9AM or 11AM.

Embracing the journey,
Pastor Rick