"The Privilege of God as Father"
John 14: 5-13
The number one way that Jesus referred to God was Father. The father is so important.
123 times in Johanna writings God is referred to as Father and 85% of those references are in the Gospel of John.
J.I. Packer says, "If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of … having God as his Father.
I. The privilege of calling Him Father.
Romans 8:15 Galatians 4:6
II. The privilege of receiving our identity from Him.
Galatians 4:4-7 I John 3: 1 What manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God.
What value
III. The privilege of receiving unconditional love from Him.
I John 3: 1 "O what manner of love"
IV. The privilege of receiving life from Him.
John 3 – we are born into His family from above
John 3: 16 – the very life of God is in us
Romans 8: 15 – we have been adopted into His family
But not only is life in the seed of the man, but victory (according to Genesis 3: 16)
V. The privilege of receiving our provisions from Him.
Matthew 6: 26, 32; 7:7-11
God is not an ATM machine, but his provision to us is born out of our relationship with him.
VI. The privilege of receiving our affirmation from Him.
At two of the most crucial moments in Jesus’ life his Father affirmed Him.
Beginning of His ministry at his baptism - Matthew 3: 17 "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Before the cross in Matthew 17: 5
He doesn’t call us sinners, but saints.
VII. The privilege of receiving attention from Him.
Ephesians 2: 18 Through Jesus we both have access by one Spirit to the Father
Matthew 6: 8-9 "The Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in Heaven."
VIII. The privilege of relying on his trustworthiness.
Whatever He promised, He’ll do. Whatever He said, you can count on.