Guilt, Grace & Gratitude Ep. 46

Lord’s Day 46 “Our Father in Heaven”

Q&A 120 Q.Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”? A.To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer what should be basic to our prayer— a childlike reverence and trust that through Christ God has become our Father, and that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life, even less will God our Father refuse to give us what we ask in faith. 1 Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13

Q&A 121 Q.Why the words “in heaven”? A.These words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly,1 and to expect everything needed for body and soul from God’s almighty power. 1 Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-25 2 Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:31-32

Matthew 7:9–11 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Jeremiah 23:23–24 - 23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.

Acts 17:24–25 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.