I Believe in the Father of Both Jesus and Me
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 5/10/2020 AM |
Text: | Ephesians 3; Lord's Day 9 |
Psalters: | 226, 336, 247, 278 |
Series: | Heidelberg Catechism |
- The concept.
- The name “Father” conveys a wonderful, most intimate and close relationship.
- The Fatherhood of God has its beginning within God’s own being as the Triune God.
- God does not become Father, even as He does not become God.
- Secondly, the Triune God is Father of the Mediator. This brings outside of God what is within Himself.
- To reveal His Fatherhood outside of Himself God created the heavens and the earth.
- Of whom is God Father? Who are God’s children?
- The reality is that God is my Father.
- This is true only through and because of His Fatherhood of the Mediator, Jesus Christ.
- How does God become the spiritual Father of the elect so they are His adopted children? Four steps.
- First, He “predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:29).
- In the fulness of time God sent His Son to redeem us, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:4,5).
- 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).
- Our adoption is to be fully realized when we are glorified in heaven (Romans 8:23).
- There are five implications which arise from this relationship.
- God’s Fatherhood is particular and definite.
- Our Father provides us with all things necessary for our body and soul (Matt. 6:32; Phil. 4:19).
- I can rely on my Father in every circumstances of life.
- Before this heavenly Father let us “bend the knee” (Eph. 3:14).
- May earthly fathers learn what it means to be a father from Him.