My God and My Father
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/11/2010 AM
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Text:
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I John 3;
Lord's Day 9
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Psalters: |
225, 89, 347, 278 |
- The meaning.
- The name “Father” describes God in the closest relationship.
- God is eternally Father. He is Father before He came our Father.
- God’s Fatherhood is first within the Trinity in the relationship of the First Person to the Second.
- Second, the triune God then begets the Mediator.
- Of whom is God Father? Who are God’s children?
- From the viewpoint of creation God was Father of all (cf. Luke 3:38).
- In His infinite mercy God, in Christ and for Christ’s sake, obtained the right for some to be His adopted children.
- Our being children of God and God’s Fatherhood of us in Christ.
- How then does God become the spiritual Father of His adopted children?
- First, He predestinated us unto the adoption of Christ by Jesus to Himself (Eph. 1:5).
- Then God sent His Son to redeem us, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:4,5).
- God’s Son gave His Spirit (the Spirit of adoption) to testify with our spirits that we are God’s children (Rom. 8:15,16).
- Our adoption is fully realized when we are glorified in heaven (Romans 8:23).
- Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God (I Jn. 3:1)!
- God’s Fatherhood of me is an extension of His Fatherhood of Christ.
- The greatness of this love is because ...
- There are implications which arise from this relationship.
- Our Father provides us with all things necessary for our body and soul (Phil. 4:19).
- Our heavenly Father watches out for us, so that all evils are turned to our profit.
- This Sovereign God is our Father - able and willing to give us all good and to change all evil to good.
- I can rely on my Father in all circumstances of life.
- I may trust that He will provide with all things necessary for soul and body, for time and eternity.
- As children we can trust Him totally: on Him we can rely so entirely that we have no doubt.
- The faith which rests in God sees our heavenly Father as both able and willing to work all for our good.
- As an earthly father we have much to learn.