GOD OUR FATHER

GOD OUR FATHER

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 6:18

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:18
“And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Supporting Texts: John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7; Matthew 6:9; Psalm 68:5; 1 John 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-11

Description: God our Father gives us identity, acceptance, protection, discipline, provision and an intimate relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest privileges of salvation is that we can call God our Father. The God who created the heavens and the earth invites redeemed humanity into a personal relationship with Him. In 2 Corinthians 6:18, the Lord declares, “I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.” This reveals the intimacy and belonging that God desires for His people.

Fatherhood speaks of relationship, identity, care, authority and inheritance. A child does not merely know the name of a father; a child belongs to the family. Likewise, through Christ, believers are brought into God's family. We are no longer strangers and outsiders but sons and daughters who can approach God with confidence and call upon His name.

Knowing God as Father should transform the way we live. It gives us security when circumstances are uncertain, confidence when we pray, discipline when we go astray, and hope concerning our future. When the world changes and human relationships fail, the Fatherhood of God remains an unchanging source of strength for His children.

1. GOD WANTS TO BE KNOWN AS OUR FATHER

God is not merely a distant Creator. Through Christ, He reveals Himself as Father and invites us into relationship with Him.

a. God Receives Us as His Children (2 Corinthians 6:18) — The Lord promises to be a Father to those who belong to Him.

b. Believers Receive the Right to Become God's Children (John 1:12) — Those who receive Christ and believe in His name are given the privilege of becoming children of God.

c. God Invites Us Into Relationship (Matthew 6:9) — Jesus taught His disciples to approach God as “Our Father.”

d. God's Love Makes Us His Children (1 John 3:1) — The Father's love is demonstrated by giving believers the privilege of being called His children.

Biblical Example: The prodigal son returned to his father and was received with compassion, restoration and celebration (Luke 15:20-24).

2. GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN A NEW IDENTITY

When God becomes our Father, our identity is no longer determined by our past, failures or circumstances. We belong to His family.

a. You Are a Child of God (John 1:12) — Faith in Christ gives believers a new spiritual identity.

b. You Are No Longer a Stranger (Ephesians 2:19) — Believers become members of God's household.

c. You Have Been Adopted (Galatians 4:5) — Christ came so that those who believe could receive adoption as God's children.

d. You Have a Heavenly Inheritance (Romans 8:16-17) — God's children are heirs with Christ.

Biblical Example: Mephibosheth, although living in a condition of weakness and isolation, was brought into David's household and given a place at the king's table because of David's covenant with Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

3. GOD OUR FATHER LOVES AND CARES FOR US

The Fatherhood of God assures us that we are not abandoned. His care extends to every area of our lives.

a. God Knows What You Need (Matthew 6:31-32) — Our heavenly Father knows our needs before we ask Him.

b. God Cares for His Children (1 Peter 5:7) — We can cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us.

c. God Provides for His People (Philippians 4:19) — God is able to supply every need according to His riches in glory.

d. God Never Forsakes His Own (Hebrews 13:5) — His promise is that He will never leave nor forsake His people.

Biblical Example: God provided manna for Israel throughout their wilderness journey, demonstrating His ability to sustain His people in an impossible environment (Exodus 16:4-18).

4. GOD OUR FATHER HEARS OUR PRAYERS

Children have confidence to approach their father. Likewise, believers can approach God with confidence because of our relationship with Him through Christ.

a. Pray to Your Father (Matthew 6:6) — Jesus taught believers to pray privately to the Father who sees in secret.

b. Approach God With Confidence (Hebrews 4:16) — We can come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace.

c. Ask According to His Will (1 John 5:14-15) — God hears prayers that are aligned with His will.

d. Pray With Faith (Mark 11:24) — Jesus taught His followers to believe as they pray.

Biblical Example: Hannah poured out her heart before the Lord, and God answered her prayer by giving her Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-20).

5. GOD OUR FATHER CORRECTS AND DISCIPLINES US

A loving father does not merely provide comfort; he also provides correction. God's discipline is evidence of His fatherly love.

a. God Disciplines His Children (Hebrews 12:6) — The Lord disciplines those whom He loves.

b. Correction Produces Righteousness (Hebrews 12:10-11) — God's discipline is designed to produce holiness and righteousness.

c. Receive Correction Humbly (Proverbs 3:11-12) — We should not despise the Lord's correction.

d. Let Discipline Produce Growth (Psalm 94:12) — God's instruction can lead His people into wisdom and blessing.

Biblical Example: David was confronted and corrected by the prophet Nathan after his sin, and David responded with repentance (2 Samuel 12:1-13).

6. GOD OUR FATHER PROTECTS AND GUIDES US

A good father cares about the safety and direction of his children. God likewise guides His children through His Word and Spirit.

a. God Is Our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-4) — He guides, provides for and protects His people.

b. God Directs Our Steps (Proverbs 3:5-6) — When we acknowledge Him, He directs our paths.

c. The Holy Spirit Leads God's Children (Romans 8:14) — Those who are led by the Spirit are identified as God's children.

d. God's Word Gives Direction (Psalm 119:105) — Scripture provides light for our path.

Biblical Example: God guided Israel through the wilderness with the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22).

7. GOD OUR FATHER GIVES US AN INHERITANCE

Children naturally have an inheritance from their father. Scripture uses this picture to describe the spiritual inheritance believers receive through Christ.

a. We Are Heirs of God (Romans 8:17) — God's children are heirs with Christ.

b. We Have an Eternal Inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-4) — Our inheritance is reserved in heaven and does not perish.

c. We Have the Promise of Eternal Life (Titus 1:2) — Eternal life is part of God's promise to His people.

d. Our Future Is Secure in Christ (Colossians 3:3-4) — Our life is hidden with Christ, and our future is connected to His appearing.

Biblical Example: Abraham trusted God's promise concerning an inheritance he had not yet seen, demonstrating faith in God's future provision (Hebrews 11:8-10).

8. LIVE AS A TRUE CHILD OF GOD

Knowing God as Father should produce a lifestyle that reflects the family to which we belong. Our conduct should bring honour to our heavenly Father.

a. Imitate Your Father (Ephesians 5:1) — Believers are called to imitate God as beloved children.

b. Walk in Love (Ephesians 5:2) — God's children should demonstrate the love they have received from Him.

c. Pursue Holiness (1 Peter 1:14-16) — Children of the holy God should live holy lives.

d. Honour Your Father (Matthew 5:16) — Our good works should cause people to glorify our Father in heaven.

Biblical Example: Jesus consistently lived in obedience to the Father and declared that He always did those things that pleased Him (John 8:28-29).

CONCLUSION

God does not merely want us to know about Him; through Christ, He invites us to know Him as Father. His Fatherhood gives us identity, acceptance, care, correction, guidance, protection and an eternal inheritance. We can approach Him with confidence because we belong to Him.

Therefore, live with the consciousness that you are a child of God. Let your words, choices, relationships and service reflect your heavenly Father. When you face uncertainty, remember that you have a Father who cares; when you face correction, receive His discipline; and when you face the future, trust His promises.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for receiving me into Your family through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to live daily with the consciousness that I am Your child, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let Your love and acceptance remove every sense of rejection from my heart, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, provide for every genuine need in my life according to Your riches in glory, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let me always approach You confidently in prayer, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me grace to receive Your correction and grow in righteousness, in Jesus name.

7. Father, guide my steps and protect me from every danger, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, preserve my inheritance in Christ and help me remain faithful until the end, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life reflect Your character and bring honour to Your name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to walk faithfully as Your son or daughter throughout my life, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in the consciousness that you belong to God.

2. You shall experience the love and care of your heavenly Father.

3. Every spirit of rejection and abandonment shall lose its influence over your life.

4. Your genuine needs shall receive divine provision.

5. Your prayers shall be strengthened by confidence in your Father's presence.

6. You shall receive divine guidance in every major decision.

7. God's protection shall continually surround you and your household.

8. Your inheritance in Christ shall remain secure.

9. Your life shall reflect the character of your heavenly Father.

10. You shall remain faithful to God and finish your journey as a true child of the Father.