sermon072504

July 25, 2004

Triads

(Groups of three)

1.   God’s word as powerful, meaningful, and self-expressive

2.   Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King

3.   Revelation, inspiration, and illumination

4.   Holy, Holy, Holy

5.   God as life, light, and love

6.   Miracles as signs, wonders, and powers

7.   Sin of thought, word, and deed

8.   Many triads in Bible stories and laws:

a.   Three decks in Noah’s ark

b.   Three sending of birds after the Flood

c.   Three sons of Noah

d.   Three visitors to Abraham

e.   Three divisions of the tabernacle

f.    Three feast periods

g.   Three offerings

h.   The cleansing of the leper by blood, water, and oil on the ear, thumb, and toe

i.     Three years of Jesus’ ministry

j.     Three temptations

k.   Three crosses

Others are:

9.   Beginning, middle, and end

10.                Faith, hope, and love

11.                good, better, best

12.                reading, writing, and arithmetic

13.                red, green, and blue (the primary colors)

14.                red, yellow, green (traffic light)

15.                liquid, solid, and gas

16.                length, width, and height

17.                past, present, and future

18.                yesterday, today, and tomorrow

19.                husband, wife, and child

20.                melody, harmony, and rhythm

There are many more, John Frame gives over a hundred of these triads in his book ‘The Doctrine of God’.