God The Father

God the Father acts powerfully yet mercifully on behalf of his creatures.

       In scripture, as in our physical world, the term father carries the idea of being a source from which something (or someone proceeds). On this basis, our study will explore the concept of “God the Father” as our Creator, Sovereign Ruler of the universe, and merciful Father, who desires to be known by us and have relationship with us. 
       Note how the three main points of this lesson interact and are woven together. It explores two important Concepts about God: transcendence (existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level) and immanence (God is fully present and accessible). He is creator of the universe, highly exalted and Almighty. Yet, as our Creator, He is also very near and desires relationship with us. This lesson provides opportunities to find joy in the recognition of God as our heavenly father.

What comes to mind when you think of the word “Father”?

The CREATOR
A. There Is None Other
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

…….Before we can ever fully believe that God is our ultimate Creator and Father, we must first believe that he is the Creator of the entire World and every Universe. There was no thing or no one before Him or His Creation.
       Recognizing God as Creator guards Christians against to Serious errors. The first error sees the universe as a chance collection of matter and energy that has always existed. This view sees existence as little more than matter and the laws that govern it. Such a perspective generally rejects the notion of a personal God either inside or outside of the universe.
       The second error is characterized as pantheism. This view makes God and the universe identical, or supposes that the universe is part of his substance (meaning that he didn’t create it, like him, it has always been). 
Such a perspective can lend itself to treating the natural universe as a deity (or a God) in itself.
“In the beginning” establishes that God has always been. Before anything else was, he was. He is the Source of all things.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

B. Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
……The invisible things are those of the Spirit. While it is easy to see God’s handiwork on Earth, the Spiritual are not so easy. The reasons and why’s that are manifested in our hearts after salvation. The enlightenment that sinks in after the Spirit settles in and changes the very nature of a man’s being. When a person so full of hate can be so overwhelmed with love, that’s the invisible.
*Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
*Ephesians​ 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; “that ye may know” what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
…….And because of all this, just as the last part of the first verse, we are “without excuse” in out accountability to Him. It might be said that Creation proclaims, “Listen to God.”

Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
……. Though human life remains vulnerable, many are under the delusion that Humanity can solve its own problems. God’s people know better, however. We know we must depend on our creator.

2. ALL POWERFUL GOD
A. God Is Sovereign
……. Isaiah 40 was written as a word of consolation to God’s people as they face the prospect of captivity in Babylon and a future day when the Israelites would have no land or Temple, they needed to know that they could arise from their terrible State. They would need hope. Such hope could be found in the Assurance of two qualities God would exercise on their behalf. Isaiah used a series of rhetorical questions in verses 12-14 to identify these qualities and emphasize the Supreme greatness of God.
Isaiah 40: 12  Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 
…….First, God is all powerful! 
If he alone could lay out all the dimensions of Earth, and was able to measure the waters in the hollow of his hand, and weigh the mountains in scales, surely he could restore his people!
 13  Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 
 14  With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
……. Second, versus 13, 14 reveal God’s omniscience. He is all wise and all-knowing. This Infinite Wisdom can be seen in his creation of a complex, orderly universe. 
       No human being could ever counsel God on his vast knowledge and understanding. Because of this, God is worthy of the confidence of his people.
 15  Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
…….God our Father is in control and because of his control we can have hope that all things (battles, struggles, sickness, famines, disagreements, oppressions) will work out for the good.
      Matthew 7: 8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
 9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

3. MERCIFUL FATHER
A. The Father Gives Life
Ephesians 2:
4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
…….He Is Rich in Mercy! No matter what we have done or where we came from he still put his mercy on display!  By calling us out of a state of sin, convicting us with his Holy Spirit to draw us back to his side, His mercy was put in action. He loved us when no one else could!
 5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
…….We were dead in our sins, yet in that state of spiritual deadness, God acted in Grace.
       It has been said that Mercy is Grace in action. Our Father set Grace into motion through the Son, the eternal savoir and Redeemer of sins on our behalf!
 6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
 7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
……. Not only did he save us from our sins that we could live a peaceful sinless life, he also cleansed us and made us righteous, therefore providing the ability to abide with the Godhead Spiritually, for Eternity!

B. The Father Gives Eternal Hope
1 Peter 1:
3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
 4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 
 5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
……. Salvation is entirely a result of the father’s Mercy. The hope of our Salvation exists solely because he raised Jesus Christ from the dead. It is a living hope. It will not corrupt overtime nor can it perish. It cannot be stolen, spoiled or otherwise ruined by any force in this world.
       The hope of a Christian is sure because it is given by the almighty father, the creator of all things. No power can overcome His blessings. 
       Peter wrote these words originally to Christians who faced great persecution. Such an assurance offered great peace in troubled times. It is the gift of our loving father, and it remains just as strong and true for us today.