I Believe in the Father of Both Jesus and Me

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Ephesians 3; Lord's Day 9
Psalters: 226, 336, 247, 278
Series: Heidelberg Catechism
  1. The concept.
    1. The name “Father” conveys a wonderful, most intimate and close relationship.
    2. The Fatherhood of God has its beginning within God’s own being as the Triune God.
      1. God does not become Father, even as He does not become God.
      2. Secondly, the Triune God is Father of the Mediator. This brings outside of God what is within Himself.
    3. To reveal His Fatherhood outside of Himself God created the heavens and the earth.
    4. Of whom is God Father?  Who are God’s children?
  2. The reality is that God is my Father.
    1. This is true only through and because of His Fatherhood of the Mediator, Jesus Christ.
    2. How does God become the spiritual Father of the elect so they are His adopted children? Four steps.
      1. First, He “predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:29).
      2. In the fulness of time God sent His Son to redeem us, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:4,5).
      3. Then 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).
      4. Our adoption is to be fully realized when we are glorified in heaven (Romans 8:23).
  3. There are five implications which arise from this relationship.
    1. God’s Fatherhood is particular and definite.
    2. Our Father provides us with all things necessary for our body and soul (Matt. 6:32; Phil. 4:19).
    3. I can rely on my Father in every circumstances of life.
    4. Before this heavenly Father let us “bend the knee” (Eph. 3:14).
    5. May earthly fathers learn what it means to be a father from Him.