“THE LOVE OF THE FATHER”
I John 3:1-3
Pastor John L. Harper
Warden Assembly of God
June 15, 2008
INTRODUCTION: Today is Father’s Day, and we want to honor our Fathers and the men that are here today. The reason we celebrate today is because we have the greatest example of being a father,that is God. I want to spend a few moments talking about the love of the Father. Maybe today it is painful to talk about a father, because your Dad was not there for you. It is painful because you miss your Dad, and wish you could spend just two more minutes with him. I want to tell you about a Father who loves you more than you could ever imagine.
I. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER (VS. 1)
A. God loves us
1. He takes care of those who belong to Him
Illustration: Stephen Sakac cares about his disabled son
2. He makes sacrifice for His own
3. He showed His love through the giving of His only Son
Illustration: “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us”
B. God has adopted us
1. We can call Him daddy (Rom. 8:15)
2. We is our Father (Matt. 6:9)
C. God relates to us
II. THE REVELATION OF THE FATHER (VS. 2)
A. We are His children (we belong to God)
Illustration: “Father’s Love Letter”
B. We shall be like Him
C. We shall see Him
III. THE REFINING OF THE FATHER (VS. 3)
A. We are purified by the hope of being changed
B. We are purified by the hope of the Lord’s Coming
C. We are purified as we are being sanctified
CONCLUSION: “A Father’s Love (closing story)
