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God as Father You are all sons. Galatians 3:26-4:7 To call God “Father” does not totally sum up the loving attributes of God but it gives us some idea. There is more. It is not the most adequate description but it is the least inadequate. We are limited by language and human definition. When we call God “Father”, we mean that God has the original qualities which we admire when reflected by the best and wisest of all human fathers. "You sum up the whole of the N.T. teaching in a single phrase if you speak of it as a revelation of the Fatherhood of the Holy Creator. . . If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God's child and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and his prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means he does not understand Christianity very well at all. . . Father is the Christian name for God." J.I. Packer Knowing God, I.V. Press, pg. 182 WHY IS GOD REFERRED TO AS FATHER? THE FATHER OF CREATION - Genesis 1 1. All things originate in God. He gives life and breath to all. Head of the family, Creator. eg.- “Adam, the son of God" (Genealogy of Luke 3:37). 2. Giver of protective care of the human race (Acts 17: 25). FATHER OF THE FAMILY OF FAITH - Galatians 3:26-4:7 -Sonship is through faith -Sonship goes across gender, ethnic, and social boundaries -Sonship includes status of heir according to promise -Maturity into Sonship is due to Christ's work -The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are sons 1. Compassionate and forgiving (Psalm 103:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Exodus 34:6) 2. Provider (Matthew 6:26, James 1:17) 3. Protector - We all need to hold a hand that is bigger and stronger than we are. "Love always protects" "God is love" (1 Corinthians 13:7) 4. Name-giver (Ephesians 3:15) -God has a special name for you denoting you belong to Him (Revelation 2:17) -To bear God's name is to belong to God. 5. Image giver (Genesis 1, Romans 8:2 , 1 Corinthians 15:49, 2 Corinthians 3:18) 6. Guide (Jeremiah 31:9) 7. Comforter & encourager (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 see also 2 Thesolonians 2:16-17) 8. Proud Father (delights in His children) (Zephaniah 3:17) 9. Ever-present. -"latch-key" kids. (make their own dinner, etc.) "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 10. Trainer and Disciplinarian (Proverbs 3:11-12, see also Hebrews 12:5-11) -The N.T. idea of chastisement doesn't at all have negative connotations. The idea is more in line with training. -PAIDEUO - (Vines) denotes to train children, the broad idea of education, instruction, correction. By words, reproof, infliction or evils or calamities. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT WE ARE HIS SONS? To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God . John 1:12 see also Galatians 4:4-5 With being sons of the Heavenly Father, there are special privileges, but also responsibilities. If God is: Compassionate and forgiving - then we find Him accepting even when we fail Provider - then we can expect His provision Protector - then our hearts can know peace Name-giver - then we can feel a sense of belonging; We are in a spiritual brotherhood Image giver - then we can rejoice in who we are -display who you are Guide - then we can have confidence Comforter & Encourager - Then we can take our hurt to Him Proud Father - then we don't need to wonder what He thinks Ever-present - then we communicate with Him anytime Trainer and Disciplinarian - then we respect Him CONCLUSION: You are all sons. Galatians 3:26-4:7 To call God "Father" means that He displays, in perfection, the qualities of the best fathers. “Father" is the Christian name for God. J.I. Packer

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