Sonship The Father Heart of God 2
- Who is God?
- Who am I?
Malachi 1:6 “I am a father”
Matthew 6:9 Our Father
=XN? God is your Father.
Galatians 4:6 because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
You are the Father’s Son.
Your relationship w/God is Father/son w/Jesus Big Bro & BROTHERS
- Legal – in Father’s Kingdom – rewards, roles, responsibilities (Genesis 1-2)
- Personal – total healing, perfect you, restored relationships, adventure, joy
You are a son, not a stranger
Ephesians 2:13-16,18-19 in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility…For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
Previous loyalties & identities fade (race, ethnicity, nationality, income, education)
People w/the Holy Spirit are “family” = anytime/anywhere
= Like any family tree – different branches (denom’s, networks, traditions)
You are a son, not a slave
Romans 8:14–16 all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
- Slave – performance, works, labor = no affection/approval/adoption
- Ancient Roman Empire – up to ½ slaves (beasts/machines)
- A child does not choose a father, a father chooses a child
- If you are chosen, it proves you are loved & secure
You are son, not an orphan
John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans
- Orphan – God loves you on your good day, disowns you on your bad day
- Abandonment (“abandonded” – some int’l birth certificates)
You are a son, not a burden
Psalm 103:13–14 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
-Coach vs Critique – say same thing w/different heart for you
You are a son, not a victim
Hebrews 12:5–11 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? [Proverbs 3:11-12] “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
If you do not discipline a child you hate them – “gentle parenting”
- NOT punishment – cross
- Correction –
- Associate dangerous/sinful behavior w/pain not pleasure
- A little pain today to prevent a lot of pain tomorrow
= MY FOOT ON THE STOVE AS A LITTLE BOY
Discussion Questions
- What did the Holy Spirit highlight in the text or talk for you?
- Before this talk, was there any negative identity you would you have seen yourself as?
- How can we pray for you?
