The One True God Is My Father

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: I John 3; Lord's Day 9
Psalters: 225, 89, 190, 278
  1. The meaning.
    1. The name “Father” describes God in a most wonderful caring relationship.
    2. God is eternally Father in two ways.  He does not become Father when He becomes our Father.
      1. God’s Fatherhood is first within the Trinity (within the being of God) in the relationship of the First Person to the Second.
      2. Second, the triune God then begets the Mediator, portraying outside of Himself the Fatherhood that is within Himself.
    3. Of whom is God Father?  Who are God’s children?
  2. Our being children to and of God and His Fatherhood of us in Christ.
    1. How then does God become the spiritual Father of His adopted children?
      1. First, He predestinated us unto the adoption of Christ by Jesus to Himself according to the riches of His..... (Eph. 1:5).
      2. Then, 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 fully realized when we are glorified in heaven (Romans 8:23).
    2. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God (I John 3:1)!!
  3. There are implications which arise from this relationship.
    1. Our heavenly Father watches out for us, so that all evils are turned to our profit.
    2. Therefore I can rely on my caring Father in all circumstances of life.
    3. Earthly fathers can learn to reflect the heavenly Father.