The Trinity
The Fundamentals of Faith • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
One of the most mysterious and complex doctrines and theologies in the Christian faith.
A vital doctrine of the Faith!
The Trinity is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, referring to the union of three persons - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in one Godhead[1][2]. This doctrine is considered one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith, going beyond reason but not against it[2]. While the word "Trinity" itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept is derived from biblical teachings[2][3]. The Trinity is understood as one divine nature that is a unity of three persons, with God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit[3]. This understanding is rooted in the divine self-disclosure through Jesus, who as the Son revealed the Father and poured out the Holy Spirit[3][4]. Christians, while being monotheists believing in one God, are also trinitarians, viewing a threeness within God's oneness[4].
[1] Collins English Dictionary. (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2006).
[2] Norman L. Geisler, “Trinity,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 730.
[3] Stanley Grenz, David Guretzki, and Cherith Fee Nordling, Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 116.
[4] Douglas Jacobsen and Rodney J. Sawatsky, Gracious Christianity: Living the Love We Profess (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006), 32.
Water, Ice, Vapor - analogy
3 ways that the 1 God interacts and shows Himself!
God is Omniscient (knowing), Omnipotent (power), and Omnipresent (everywhere)
NOT 3 SEPARATE GODS
Father, Son, Spirit
Let’s look at these 3.
Father
God, LORD, Father
Unchanging, over all things, Holy
Who we call to for help, deliverance, and most things
Seen as in heaven or in holy locations at specific times.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
The primary “form” we think of when we talk about God in a singular sense.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Son
Fully man and fully God
Son because of immaculate conception (no earthly father).
Jesus possessed all the normal attributes and characteristics of humanity, short sin.
And yet possessed all of God’s attributes and characteristics that could coincide with human flesh (not-omnipresent and whatever was held back from him to give him the full human experience)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Word = Logos = Jesus in the very beginning with God the Father and being God at the same time.
The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Ps 110:1 is where Luke pulls from with David.
Spirit
Also present in the beginning
Fluid and available anywhere
Guides God’s people, gives spiritual gifts, we see evidence of having the Spirit with the fruit, and even speaks on our behalf when we cannot.
Genesis 1:2 (ESV)
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Spirit = ruah = breath, wind, spirit
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
There is but 1 God, we are mono-theistic. But we have a triune God, who displays Himself and His wonders through 3 distinct ways. They are all together one, and yet operate with creation in separate ways.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your grace, your mercy, and yourself. While it is a great mental challenge for us to comprehend exactly who you are and how you show yourself through the trinity, we trust you and thank you for each way you show yourself. We thank you for your consistency and holiness. We thank you for coming as Jesus to teach us and to save us by restoring our relationship with you. And we thank you for the Helper, the Holy Spirit. We ask that you empower us and embolden us this week. Lead us to be your hands and feet in Rolla and throughout the world.
In Jesus’s name. Amen
