Epiphany Lutheran Church

Glad Tidings of Comfort and Great joy
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The Lord's Prayer by Rick Rogers and Audrey King

OUR FATHER

Father: Is God like our earthly dad?  Maybe our earthly dad is made in the image of God our Father.  Genesis 1:26 Let Us make a man according to Our image and likeness. In other words, our earthly dad may resemble some of the things God our Father does.  When we, as a child, fell off the bike, did our dad come to us?  One time or another – yes.  Does that resemble what God does?  Yes, but God does so much more.  “Whenever I meditate upon the suffering of my Lord, I cannot but venture a great deal in respect to the love of God and His forbearance toward my sins.  He bends His head to kiss me; He extends His arms to embrace me; He opens His hands to bestow gifts upon me; he opens His side that I may behold His heart glowing with love for me;” (Johann Gerhard Sacred Meditations Meditation 7 June 1991). 


Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 
What does Abba do?  He gives us everything.  Abba is the family pride, the family wealth, the family teacher, the family doctor.  When you sit to eat Abba takes the bread and breaks it for you pronouncing the blessing, then he hands you a share.
 Reformation:  He it is who demands this glory from us, that we should put our petitions to Him, as a child does to its father.  He also wants us to have the confidence that He will gladly give us what we need.  Also included is the reminder that we should glory in being His children through Christ.  Martin Luther Vol 21
 

Since God is my Father, then I must be His child.  Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  Ok, so I am God’s adopted child, redeemed by Christ.  What does that mean?  Galatians 4:6-7 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.