Who is God the Father? Series: We Are His Church Text: Psalm 103 (with supporting passages) Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul. Psalm 103 Big Idea What you believe about God the Father shapes how you live your life with Him. Introduction We’re wrestling through our MB Confession of Faith. Belief affects who we are and what we do Belief should deepen our relational practices The Foundation: The Trinity One God, three persons: Father, Son, Spirit God did not become Father—He has always been Father Dallas Willard: “The Trinity is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be lived in.” At the center of the universe is a relationship of love The Trinity lacks nothing → creation is an overflow of love The goal of the gospel: Not just going to heaven But being drawn into God’s life (John 17) Key idea: The Christian life is relational 1. The Father is the Creator & Source of All Life Key Texts: Genesis 1, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Acts 17:24–28 God is not distant—He sustains all life “In Him we live and move and have our being” Illustration: Phone & charger We are designed to stay connected to the source Eternal life = connection to the source (relational) Cultural Challenge: Self-Sufficiency “Self-made” mindset vs dependence on God Faith is not weakness—it’s rightly ordered dependence Strength is found in relationship, not isolation Application We remain connected to the source and renewed by His presence We are dependent on God, and committed to prayer 2. The Father is a Faithful Adopting Father Key Texts: Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 4:4–7, Romans 8:15 Through Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family Identity: Beloved sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ “Abba” = deep intimacy (Dear Father) Two Realities: You are fully accepted (not earned) You belong to a family (not alone) Cultural Challenge: Individualism Christianity is not “me and God alone” Church is not a program—it’s a family Spiritual growth happens in community, not isolation Application We prioritize deep, relational community We faithfully show up for one another 3. The Father is a Good and Caring Father Key Texts: Matthew 6:8, 6:25–26, 7:9–11 The Father knows what you need He provides, cares, and gives good gifts He is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger (Psalm 103) Cultural Challenge: Suspicion of Authority Many distrust authority due to broken experiences God is not a projection of broken fathers—He is the standard His authority is: Protective Generous Good Application We trust in the goodness of God the Father We let go of any areas where we are tempted to control Conclusion The Father invites us into: Life (Source) Family (Adoption) Trust (Goodness) The gospel is an invitation into the life of the Trinity Reflection & Discussion Questions When you think about “God as Father,” what words, images, or feelings come to mind? How have your past experiences (family, church, culture) shaped your view of God? The sermon says what we believe about God shapes how we live—where do you see that playing out in your life right now? What stands out to you about the idea that God (Father, Son, Spirit) exists as an eternal relationship of love? How does understanding God as relational (Father, Son, Spirit) reshape how you understand the goal of the Christian life? Where are you most tempted to live self-sufficiently instead of staying connected to God as your source of life? What does it mean to you personally that you are adopted into God’s family? How is belonging different from simply believing? Do you find it easy or difficult to trust that God is a good and caring Father? Why? Which aspect of God the Father (Source of Life, Adopting Father, Good & Caring Father) do you most need to lean into right now? What is one practical step you can take this week to draw closer to the Father or live more dependently on Him?