Last Sunday was Fathers’ Day and Dave spoke about the fatherhood of God, using 1 John 3:1 and 1 Cor 4:15 as the basis of his sermon. The whole topic of fatherhood has been downplayed greatly in recent years, partly perhaps as a reaction against a patriarchal society and the rise of feminism and partly because so many people have been brought up with absent fathers and therefore find it difficult to understand God as a father. Nonetheless, fatherhood is God’s idea, and the role of the father is central to God’s dealings with mankind. Even from early childhood, Jesus Himself constantly referred to God as His Father and very often referred to God as our Father. The prayer that He taught His disciples starts with those very words – Our Father.
John reminds us that we are children of God and that this relationship is based on love, not duty. Like all children, we have rebelled against Him, we have given Him grief, we have objected to His guidance and His care. But like all fathers, He has continued to love us and to care for us, through thick and thin.
Dave looked at 5 characteristics of the fatherhood of God:
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He is our creator, our maker, and takes immense joy in the fact we are made in His image.
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He is our provider (Matt 6:31-33), taking care of our every need.
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He is our protector (Ps 50:15), looking after us and keeping us safe.
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He gives us peace and joy, providing us with comfort and meaning in life.
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He gives us eternal life. Earthly fathers can’t do this, but the life God gives us is eternal. (John 6:47)
