A. INTRODUCTION
1. The personification of all that God is in the Old Testament is found in the New Testament title for God as Father.
2. Jesus introduced a brand new relationship with God (Matt. 6:9).
B. THE FATHER
1. The Father is the first Person of the Trinity (equal in nature, separate in person, submissive in duty, John 14:26).
2. The Father is not emphasized in the Old Testament. God as Father is seen as an analogy, metaphor, or simile (Jer. 31:9).
3. The Father is reflected in the warmth of earthly families. In the spiritual family there is a kinship of all believers to each other and to God (John 1:12; 13:33; Philem. 1:7).
4. The Fatherhood of God, called “universalism,” claims that everyone is God’s child. But this view denies:
a. All are sinners (Rom. 3:23).
b. Eternal punishment for sins (6:23).
c. Necessity of the substitutionary death of Christ (1 Peter 3:18).
d. Regeneration and conversion (John 3:3; Acts 16:31).
5. Different ways the name of the Father is used in the New Testament are found in Luke 10:21; 11:13; John 5:17; 6:27; 8:41; 17:11, 25; Romans 1:7; 8:15; 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 4:6; Heb. 12:9; James 1:17.
6. The favorite title for God used by Jesus is Father (Greek, pater). Father occurs 156 times in the Gospel of John.
C. GOD AS FATHER
1. The Father of Creation – by virtue of the fact that He is the Creator (Gen. 1:1).
2. The national Father of Israel, “I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn” (Jer. 31:9). God is the source, teacher, authority, judge and provider for the nation.
3. The unique Father of Jesus Christ, “Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee” (Ps. 2:7: Matt. 3:17; John 1:18; 3:16, 5:17).
4. Redemptive Father. All saved persons have a new relationship to God the Father. They are “born . . . of God” (John 1:13); “We cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15).
5. We are “sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). We are “children of God” (1 John 2:12; 3:10).
Children Sons
New Nature New Relationships
Place Positional
State Standing
Earth Heaven
As sons we have a perfect standing before God in heaven. As children we struggle on earth.
D. THE NATURE AND DUTIES OF A FATHER
1. A father (parent), gives life to his children (physical and immaterial nature). When born again we get: God’s life and nature (John 3:15, 36; 2 Cor. 5:17); a new standing and new desires (Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 5:22-23), and become members of God’s family John 13:33).
2. A father loves his children. A loving God will do good things for His children (Luke 11:13).
3. A father protects his children. This is a natural desire of a good father. Even so, God protects our relationship with Him (John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:35-39).
4. A father will provide for his children. “Fathers, provoke not . . . but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). To nurture is to provide positive training God provides for our spiritual and material needs (Eph. 3:8; Matt. 6:30-34).
E. THE HEAVENLY FATHER AND THE BELIEVER
1. Fellowship with the Father. “Our fellowship is with the Father” (1 John 1:3). “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matt. 6:9).
2. Access to the Father. “We cry, Abba, Father”(Rom 8:15). “Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:32).
3. Guidance by the Father. He will guide us if we let him (Ps. 32:8; Prov. 3:5-6; John 16:13).
4. Security from the Father. “To be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29, 28, 32).
5. Inheritance of the Father. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). “In my Father’s house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
F. DISCUSSION
1. Do you call God Father when you pray? Why?
2. Is it difficult for those with a poor father image to think of God as Father? Why?
3. How can we deepen our relationship with the Father?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
