SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:29

“PATRIARCH” DICTIONARY.COMDICTIONARY.COM - 1. the male head of a family or tribal line. 2. a person regarded as the father or founder of an order, class, etc. 3. any of the very early Biblical personages regarded as the fathers of the human race, comprising those from Adam to Noah (antediluvian patriarchs) and those between the Deluge and the birth of Abraham. 4. any of the three great progenitors of the Israelites: Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. 5. any of the sons of Jacob (the twelve patriarchs), from whom the tribes of Israel were descended.

PATRIARCHS Source of inheritance and identity

Jesus said, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham.” John 8:39 Our Identity - Abraham pointed to the object of his faith. Abraham’s faith is not transferrable but it is repeatable. Like father, like son/daughter Hebrews 11:8-19

FUNCTION IN THE FAITH OF OUR FATHER By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going… 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. Hebrews 11:8-19 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17(as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Romans 4:16-18

MEEK - GOD’S STRENGTH UNDER GOD’S CONTROL HUMBLE - NOT THINKING TOO HIGHLY OF YOURSELF (KNOWLEDGE OF GOD LEADS TO HEALTHY KNOWLEDGE OF SELF) The Faith Of Our Father:

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ Genesis 12:1-3

DON’T LET IT END WITH ME! Go (Faith has legs) Be a blessing (Faith has a purpose & promise) “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

LET MY IDENTITY BE SEEN “Abram went” Gen. 12:4a