Blessings of God. Bryant Hewitt Message

http://bryanthewitt-hue.blogspot.com/2012/11/blessings-of-god-bryant-hewitt.html


http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26594961


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9599SmihAjw

I. GOD AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER - 1Jn 3:1

   A. CONSIDER THE BLESSING OF HAVING GOD AS OUR FATHER...
      1. He is the source of every good and perfect gift from above
         - Jm 1:17; Mt 7:11
      2. He provides us comfort in all our afflictions - 2Co 1:3-4
      3. When needed, in love He chastises us - He 12:5-11
      4. He has promised never to forsake us - He 13:5-6

   B. YET, THERE ARE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HAVING GOD AS OUR FATHER...
      1. We must SUBMIT to God - Jm 4:7
         a. By submitting to His Word
         b. By submitting to His providential workings in our lives 
            - 1Pe 5:6-11
      2. We must also DRAW NEAR to God - Jm 4:8
         a. Just as an earthly father delights when his children want
            to draw near to him, so does God - cf. Mt 23:37
         b. We draw nearer to God by "cleansing our hands" and
            "purifying our hearts" - Jm 4:8
            1) That is, by obtaining forgiveness and then strengthening
               our resolve to serve Him
            2) For the Christian, this involves REPENTANCE, CONFESSION
               OF SINS, AND PRAYER - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:9