Searching the Scripture

Lesson 5 Names and Fatherhood of GOD

Part 2 - The Fatherhood of GOD

OUR FATHER

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

This is our happiest concept of GOD. A loving, heavenly FATHER is unknown in pagan religions which portray GOD as terrible, cruel, and one to be feared. The Bible, however, pictures GOD as loving, friendly, approachable, companionable, and desirable.

It was JESUS CHRIST, the SAVIOUR, WHO taught us to pray “Our FATHER”

GOD is revealed as a FATHER in two ways:

1) As the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2) As the FATHER of those who believe on the LORD JESUS.

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:

The Jews thought of GOD as their FATHER in a national or poetical sense:

1) Poetical.

Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

2) National.

Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Israel did not have a personal consciousness of being a son as “GOD is my FATHER”

Today, modern man reasons “GOD is my FATHER and my FATHER will not harm me, so I will take my ease, eat, drink, and be merry and HE will be merciful to me in the end.”

JESUS speaks to the Jews in 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.

GOD is the CREATOR of all, but only the FATHER to those that are in the family.

II Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

As a FATHER, GOD gives life to HIS children; there is no sonship without a new birth. As a FATHER, GOD gives love to HIS children, to those in the family of GOD. This relationship of FATHER and son gives a true idea picture of how we are to serve HIM. It is not a master and slave relationship, but rather one of FATHER and son. It is as a FATHER that GOD hears and answers our prayers.