Addressing God as Father
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
12/7/2014 AM
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Text:
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I John 3;
Lord's Day 46
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Psalters: |
376, 42, 278, 434 |
- The majestic and perfectly Holy Triune God established a most intimate relationship: Father/child.
- This is a right which God gives only to some (John 1:12): “us” and not the children of the devil (1,10).
- That it is “bestowed” means that it is given and granted of one’s own accord, to supply or furnish.
- It is bestowed by Him who is already “Father.”
- The fact of fatherhood implies three things.
- God is our Father because:
- He chose us to be His children before He created the world (Eph. 1:5).
- He redeems us by the death of His own Son earning forgiveness and righteousness (I John 2:1).
- He has adopts us in Christ (Gal. 4:5).
- He regenerates (born again) us by the Spirit of His Son (Gal. 4:6), who continually dwells in each elect child.
- He is “OUR Father.”
- That our Father is “in heaven” has implications. Reverence, perfect – thus worthy of trust
- “In heaven” indicates our Father’s indescribable and infinite glory and majesty, rather than His location.
- “In heaven” speaks to His perfection as a Father.
- He is thus worthy of our complete trust, and we can have all confidence in His care and provision. Even boldness.
- First, we may have confidence and assurance that His way is the right way.
- Second, we can and must speak to Him directly, without anyone else mediating.
- Because God is our Father we may and ought to love Him – not a relationship of fear and bondage, but of love and respect.