Knowing God as Father

by | Jun 21, 2026 | Mt Pleasant Sermons

Bible Study

Don’t just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Galatians 4:1-7, Matthew 6:7-15.

Sermon Notes

Fatherhood Revealed: The Biblical Story

1. Old Testament Foundations

  • Israel as God’s “son” (Exodus 4:22–23)
  • Covenant identity: treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:1–2)
  • Metaphor of formation: God as potter, Father (Isaiah 64:8)
  • Yet: limited use, reverence and distance remain
  • Rare usage suggests something still unfolding:  “there remains throughout the Old Testament a certain reserve about the father metaphor for God. There are nearly half a million words in the Hebrew Bible, yet God is only portrayed as a father some 15 times. It is almost as if these rare instances of the God of Israel being called (or calling Himself) ‘father’ are placeholders, awaiting some unforeseen future revelation that will cause them to take on a new resonance.” Wesley Hill, The Lord’s Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019), 11.
  • Jewish hesitation to speak of God as “Father”

2. Jesus brings greater revelation

  • Jesus in the Gospel of John: “my Father” → then extends to “your Father”
  • In Matthew alone: “your Father” repeated constantly

Fatherhood is not metaphorical projection—it is revealed truth made accessible in Christ.

Three Blessings of Knowing God as Father

1. It teaches us the Gospel

  • Post-resurrection clarity: John 20:17 — “My Father and your Father”
  • Galatians 4:4–7
  • We are not naturally children of God in relational sense, but enemies
  • We are adopted through Christ’s redemption – God’s grace makes former enemies into beloved children
  • “No longer slaves, but sons” = full inheritance rights
  • Identity is secured by grace, not performance
  • Even on bad days, we are not disowned
  • Spirit enables “Abba, Father” prayer
  • “Abba” = intimate, real relational address, even used by adult children for their dads
  • Jesus himself uses this in Gethsemane
  • Every “Our Father” prayer is a gospel confession

2. We come to him boldly

  • Illustration: child (son) bringing soldier to Abraham Lincoln
  • Hebrews 10:19–22 — confidence to enter the holy place
  • Lord’s Prayer assumes boldness (imperative-like petitions):
    • Hallowed be Your name
    • Your kingdom come
    • Your will be done
  • We are not interrupting God—we are invited children

3. We come to him calmly

  • Contrast: pagan prayer = anxious repetition
  • Jesus: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask” (Matthew 6:8)
  • Children of a good father are not frantic for provision
  • Anxiety often reveals relational distrust
  • Knowing the Father produces calm dependence

Discussion Questions

1. When you pray, how do you typically address God? Dear God, Lord, Jesus? Do you think it matters? Is there any advantage of directing our prayers specifically to “our Father?”
2. Recap how relating to God as Father shows us the gospel.
3. If someone has experienced a difficult relationship with an earthly father, would it be better to relate to God in some other way besides “Father?”
4. If the Father already knows our needs, why come to him in prayer?

Questions?

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (RForrester@StAndrews.Church).

Audio & Video

You can listen to the sermon by using the player below or via the St Andrew’s Sermon Podcast on iTunes and Spotify.