Trinity

“Almighty and ever-living God, you have given us grace, by the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power of your divine majesty, to worship the unity. Keep us steadfast in that faith and worship and bring us at last to see you in your eternal glory, one God, now and forever.”

Trinity Sunday may be called “God Sunday.” It is a day of the church year to discuss the nature of God who has made Himself known to us as one eternal God in three distinct persons. If we are to be true to the lessons, as they are drawn from the Scriptures, the teaching of Trinity cannot be avoided.

In the Great Commission, Jesus takes a worldview of His mission. He sends His disciples out to win all nations by bringing them into a relationship with the whole deity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A single Christian often sees only his local congregation, which is natural for most of us because church is home. A local congregation sees only its community what’s happening in and around Friedheim. People need to see that Christianity is a worldwide movement. In like manner, we seldom deal with the whole Trinity. We may be tempted to deal with Christ only to the neglect of Father and Spirit. It takes the whole person to bring the whole God to the whole world. Consider your mission field.

Your mission field —
1. The whole world for a whole God — v. 19. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
A. The task before us is a simple and yet an arduous undertaking the Lord has set before us. Jesus says, “Make disciples of — all nations.”
1. This is an imperative. We are to literally turn people into disciples. We want people to be more then church members but followers of Jesus; people whose lives are dependent upon Him.
2. Those who are to be disciples are “all the nations” – men, women, children, infants – all are to be included – not one is to be excluded. We are an inclusive church. All are welcome in the family of faith.
B. He tells us, “Go!”
1. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to “be about the Father’s business.”
2. There is no need to delay. The Savior has ascended, the Spirit has been sent. Now the church has the green light to “Go into all the world.”
C. As we go, we have Christ’s authority to witness and win the world for Christ. —v.18. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
1. This we have we have witnessed in the first half of the church year.
a. He enters time and space at Christmas.
b. he demonstrates His power by what He says and does in the Epiphany season.
c. We observe His Passion, suffering, crucifixion and death in Lent.
d. As EASTER People we respond, “Christ Is Risen – He is Risen indeed!”
2. We use Christ’s authority as the power has been given to His church. We call this the marks of the church.
a. Proclaim the Gospel – Publically from the pulpit – yet daily as you gossip the gospel.
b. Administer the Sacraments – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper –are the means by which the Savior’s grace comes to us in a physical and tangible way.
c. Forgive Sins – The most powerful person on the face of this earth is the person to forgive. When you do not forgive, you lock up the Father’s forgiveness. Therefore – Forgive! – as God in Christ has forgiven you.
D. The methods by which we make these disciples — baptizing and teaching — vv. 19, 20. …”teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
1. Baptize – This connects us to Christ. Baptism brings us to Christ.
2. Teaching – Why we maintain parochial education, why we support a Sunday school.

Transition: On this Trinity Sunday, we see the whole world for the whole God. We also have the whole God for the whole world. Jesus says, “Make disciples of all the nations.”

2. The whole God for the whole world — v. 19. ”… make disciples of all nations…”
A. God the Father — Creator. He created the entire universe in six days or ten phrases. He has given us this world to live, thrive, and serve as a witness. The planting season started out wet and was delayed, yet we know that He will preserve and keep us and has promise to meet our every need.

B. God the Son — Redeemer. He saved us, not on the basis of deed which we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:5 Luther, in explanation of the 2nd Article explains it best when he tells us:
1. WHOM – I believe that Jesus Christ, true God begotten of the Father from eternity and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary is my Lord.
2. WHAT – Who has redeemed me a lost and condemned creature purchased and won me from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil.
3. HOW – Not with gold or silver but with His holy precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.
4. WHY – That I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting innocent, righteousness and blessedness. Even as He is risen from the dead lives and reigns through all eternity. This is most certainly true.

C. God the Spirit — Sanctifier. With God in your life, the Holy Spirit will sustain and give structure to your life. Notice what the Holy Spirit has done and does and will continue to do in your life.
1. CALLS – He plants the seed of faith into your heart.
2. ENLIGHTENS – He causes growth toward the light of the Gospel.
3. SANCTIFIES – He produces good works the flower and fruit of faith.
4. KEEPS – He waters and nurtures the plant of faith so that it remains ever green

Conclusion The Trinity is not some dusty out dates bland doctrine. It is our substance in life. It’s what brings us shape and meaning to our lives. As the celebrate unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity may the Lord our God; Father, Son and Spirit bless and keep you now and forever.