The Fatherhood Of God

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 19, 2005, at
Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

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Scripture Reading: John 1:1-13

Text: John 1:12

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Introduction: I am saddened deeply by what has happened in my country in
my lifetime to the institution of marriage.

On this Father’s Day, I am grieved because of what has happened to the
institution of fatherhood.

Men are impregnating women like animals, leaving the mothers to care for
the children as best they can. Where have the fathers gone?

More and more children are coming into this world as bastard babies.
They are born out of wedlock, without a legitimate father. These
children will not know God’s design for a home by personal experience,
because God intends for a man and a woman to stay pure until marriage,
then marry, then bear children, and stay married until death.

However, on this Father’s Day, I am glad that those who are fatherless
have an opportunity to remember that God Almighty has made it possible
for every man, woman, boy, and girl to have a father – the Lord Himself!

I want to speak to you from our text this morning on the subject:

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

  I. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD IS
    A PRINCIPLE THAT IS MISUNDERSTOOD

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past
in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father
ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

    A. It is not a physical birth
        1. We are not children of God
          simply because we have been
          born into this world

    B. It is not purity in character

    C. It is not praying every day

II. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD IS
    A PRIVILEGE THAT MUST BE EXPERIENCED

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of
his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

    A. It is a supernatural birth

    B. It is a surgical procedure –
        Heb. 4:12; Col. 2:11-13

    C. It is a sweet, special event –
        which brings me to another
        thought:

III. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD IS
    A PLEASURE THAT IS BEYOND MEASURE

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us
not, because it knew him not.

2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

    A. The privilege of having His
        name

    B. The peace the Father gives

    C. The provision from the Bank
        of heaven

IV. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD IS
    A PERSONAL CHOICE THAT MUST BE MADE

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

    A. To receive God’s Son
        1. To do this is to:

    B. To repent of dead works

    C. To rely on Jesus Christ
        1. Acts 16:29-31
        2. 1 Cor. 15:1-4