I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER
Genesis 1:1
Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
It is my intention to preach a series of sermons on The Apostles’ Creed. We find in it a series of statements of what Christians have believed through the centuries. Even non-creedal Christians would have no problem with the statements contained in it, as long as they are not forced to swear allegiance to them in place of the Bible. The creed has a series of 12 statements based upon the work of the three persons of the Trinity. The date of this creed may go back to as early as the second century. Regardless of its date of origin, its statements are based upon the teachings of the Word of God. The first belief is belief in God the Father.
I. GOD IS FATHER.
1. Jesus called God “Abba, Father!”
(1) Jesus was uniquely a child of God.
(2) Jesus called God “Abba,” or “Daddy.”
2. Jesus taught us to call God “Our Father” in the Model Prayer (Matthew 6).
(1) We who are born-again Christians are also children of God.
(2) We are also to call God ‘Father.”
3. Jesus taught us that our “Father in Heaven” would give us good gifts.
(1) He will give us better gifts than our earthly fathers.
(2) He will give us spiritual gifts, as well as numerous blessings.
II. GOD IS ALMIGHTY.
1. God has power as Sovereign Lord of the universe.
(1) God sovereignty is characterized by unlimited power.
(2) God sovereignty is limited only by His choice to give His creation free will.
2. God has power as Saving Lord of the soul.
(1) God is able to enter into time (take on human form) to die for fallen man.
(2) God is able to save the fallen soul of repentant man.
3. God has power as Sanctifying Lord of the saved.
(1) God is able to sustain the restored soul of His child.
(2) God is able to mature the restored soul of His child.
III. GOD IS MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
1. Almighty God is creator of all heaven and earth.
(1) The great Creator looked upon all that He had created and said it was “good.”
(2) The beauty of His creation is reflected in the diversity of color and design.
2. Almighty God is creator of the animals that are on land, in the sea, and in the air.
(1) The great Creator made animals for our enjoyment.
(2) The variety of the animal kingdom provides delight and joy.
3. Almighty God is creator of man and woman.
(1) The great Creator stooped down and made man and woman out of the earth.
(2) The great Creator made man and woman in His own image.
CONCLUSION
We who are God’s People believe in God. We believe that God is our “Father” because He has accepted us into His family. We believe that our God is all mighty, that He has the power to do whatever He chooses. We believe that our God is the maker of heaven and earth and all creatures great and small—including man and woman. This we believe! We can believe no less! This belief is the foundation of all else that follows in The Apostles’ Creed. If there is no God, there is no basis for believing in Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit. If there is no God, there is no reason to expect that there is a heaven to gain or a hell to avoid. If there is no God, there is no need for a church, whether universal or local. No God? No hope!
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