1. GOD OUR FATHER Galatians 4:1-7

2. God Our Father “Everything that makes the New Testament new, and better than the Old, everything that is distinctively Christian... is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. ‘Father’ is the Christian name for God.” (James I. Packer, Knowing God, 227)

3. Galatians 4:1-7 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

4. Galatians 4:1-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

5. Greco-Roman “household” 1. “Patria Potestas” – The all-powerful father

6. Greco-Roman “household” 1. “Patria Potestas” – The all-powerful father 2. “Adoption” – the ceremony declaring one to be a “son”

7. Greco-Roman “household” 1. “Patria Potestas” – The all-powerful father 2. “Adoption” – the ceremony declaring one to be a “son” 3. “Adoption” = “sonship”

8. Greco-Roman “household” There is NO Greek word “adoption” in this or any other NT text!

9. Three main consequences of “adoption” 1. The son got a new father.

10. Three main consequences of “adoption” 1. The son got a new father. 2. The son became an heir of the father’s estate.

11. Three main consequences of “adoption” 1. The son got a new father. 2. The son became an heir of the father’s estate. 3. Legally, his old life was completely wiped out.

12. Our Father... 1. Is in charge – Authority.

13. Our Father... 1. Is in charge – Authority. 2. Cares deeply for all under His charge – Affection.

14. Our Father... 1. Is in charge – Authority. 2. Cares deeply for all under His charge – Affection. 3. Is so near and tender-hearted, that the son will cry out, “Abba, Father” – Attention.

15. So, Fathers... 1. Be strong, take the lead and assume authority.

16. So, Fathers... 1. Be strong, take the lead and assume authority. 2. Do so only as a father who cares deeply for his family.

17. So, Fathers... 1. Be strong, take the lead and assume authority. 2. Do so only as a father who cares deeply for his family. 3. Remain close to your “charges” – ready to help them whenever they have need of you!