Does your view of your earthly father distort your view of God? Discover how to dismantle wrong images of the Father and embrace the security of your true spiritual adoption.
The Context
In Part 4 of the Your REAL ID series, we confront the powerful influence of fatherhood on our identity. While earthly fathers shape our development—for better or worse—this message pivots to the ultimate truth found in Scripture regarding our spiritual lineage. We explore the transition from being "children of wrath" to becoming beloved children of God through the Spirit of adoption.
The Core Message
The Bible teaches a hard truth: not everyone is automatically a child of God. We are born into a fallen world, often carrying the wounds of absent, abusive, or emotionally distant earthly fathers. However, through Jesus Christ, we are offered a new lineage. This message emphasizes that our identity is no longer defined by our past or our biological family, but by our adopted Father in Heaven.
To understand who God really is, we must look to Jesus, who is the exact representation of the Father's nature. Using the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we see a picture of God not as a harsh taskmaster or a slave driver, but as a loving Father who runs to restore His children. When we realize that God is love, it changes how we serve Him—not out of fear and obligation, but out of relationship and inheritance.
The Application
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Identify the Source: Recognize that your identity is now tied to your adopted Father, regardless of your earthly upbringing.
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Shift Your Perspective: Stop viewing God through the lens of past disappointment; look to Jesus to see the Father's true heart.
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Reject the Slave Mentality: Understand that you are an heir, not a hired servant; you don't have to earn the Father's love.
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Embrace God’s Character: Replace your fears with the truth of 1 Corinthians 13—that your Heavenly Father is patient, kind, and keeps no record of wrongs.
Conclusion
We invite you to listen to this transformative message and let the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are truly a child of God.
Here are some of the concepts we'll be touching on in today's message:
Identity, Fatherhood, Adoption, Spiritual Lineage, Prodigal Son, Grace, Inheritance, Romans 8, The Nature of God, Healing, REAL ID, Biblical Truth, Restoration, Love of God, Sonship
Scripture References:
John 8:41-47, Ephesians 2:1-4, Romans 8:9-17, John 1:1-13, John 1:14-18, Hebrews 1:1-3, Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
