He reviews the three tenses of salvation: past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification). Present-tense salvation requires a mental choice to frame the mind on things above, setting self aside so God can work through the believer rather than relying on personal ability.

Tonight’s focus is God the Father’s role and provisions. Key changes in relationship for the saved believer include: becoming part of the household of God (Ephesians 2:18-19), children of God (1 John 3:1-2), and sons with full adult position and privilege (Galatians 3:25-26; 4:1-7; Romans 8:14-17). This sonship means “son placement” (adoption beyond mere childhood), heirship with God, and co-heirship with Christ.

Positional realities include being “in God the Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1), indwelt by the Father (Ephesians 4:6), and partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). The old nature remains, but a new nature is added, enabling the believer to will and do God’s good pleasure.

Communication with God is primarily directed to the Father. Forms of prayer include: asking (in Jesus’ name/character and according to God’s desirous will, e.g., wisdom in James 1:5-7), intercession, supplication (when unsure what to pray, aided by the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:26), thanksgiving, worship, praise, and confession (1 John 1:9). Philippians 4:6 lists prayer, worship, supplication with thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:17 emphasize giving thanks always to God the Father.

The Father is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), the One who planned and chose believers before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-6), marked them for son placement, and makes them accepted in the Beloved. He delivers from darkness and transfers into the kingdom of His Son. All spiritual blessings originate from the Father’s plan and good pleasure.

The message closes noting that while the New Testament often highlights the Son and Spirit explicitly, the Father’s foundational role in the decree, provision of gifts, and relationship must not be overlooked. Thanksgiving is rightly directed to Him as the ultimate source.

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