God in three persons
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The problem of preaching on the Trinity is that most people
think that it is boring. Imagine, preaching on a doctrine rather than on an
event of salvation. The word or the expression “Trinity” is not found in Bible,
which has led some groups to say that the Trinity is not a doctrine found in
the Bible.
True, you might not find the term “Trinity” in the Scriptures but its teaching can be found on almost
every page. Yet, it is this doctrine and the teaching of the Trinity, which
defines us. Those who do not believe in the Trinity are not Christian. Those
who believe in the Trinity are called Christian.
Notice, again, what was confessed in the words of the
Athanasian Creed, “Whoever desires to be
saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole
and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally. And the catholic faith is
this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither
confusing the persons nor dividing the substance…This is the catholic faith;
whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.”
The doctrine of the Trinity explains the LORD’s connection
with you. It embraces the full nature and work of the LORD in you. Together
let’s consider…
1. The LORD’s connection with Man.
A. God the Father – He is the God
above us.
1. This runs contrary to the ways and
thinking of man who maintains control of his own destiny. But man left to his
own devises plans would leave him to ruin.
2. We serve an omniscient and all – knowing
God. Says the Psalmist; “O Lord, Thou
hast searched me and known me. Thou does know when I sit down and when I rise
up. Thou doest understand my thoughts from afar. Thou doest scrutinize my path
and my lying down and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there
is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, Thou does know it all. – Psalm
139:1-4
B. God the Son – He is the God who is
with us.
1. The last five words He spoke to humans
on the day of His Ascension still ring in our ears, “I am with you always.” –Matthew 28:20. Never will He leave you.
Never will He forsake you. He is with you at all times and in every
circumstance.
2. Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah in
the Old Testament we hear the same message, “Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him” declares
the Lord. Do I not fill the heaven and the earth? Declares the Lord. “–
Jeremiah 23:24
C. God the Spirit – He remains the God
in us.
1. The Savior speaking to the woman of
Samaria explains; “God is a Spirit and
those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24
2. In his Revelation of St. John tells us, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne
saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God”.
Revelation 21:3
Transition: We see God’s relationship with man
to abide with him. But consider His work in life.
2. The LORD’s work.
A. God the Father – Is credited with His
work of Creation. Then God said, Let us
make man in our image, according to our likeness and let them rule over the
fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all
the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” –
Genesis 1:26
1. This
is the first instance of the Trinity mentioned in Scripture.
2. God
in the singular speaks in the plural.
3. Although all three persons of the
godhead are present and participate in the creation it is the Father who is
responsible for creating and sustaining the earth.
a. The LORD always works through means.
b. He uses farmers to preserve and sustain
the world. He uses physicians and healthcare workers to bring restoration and
healing in this sickened world. He has given you talents, abilities, gifts to
be used by Him in this generation for His purposes.
B. God the Son – Jesus is credited with Redemption.
Jesus came to deliver the people of this world form sin. Peter explains it this
way – “Knowing that you were not redeemed
with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life
inherited from your forefathers but with precious blood, as of a lamb,
unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” -1 Peter 1:18-19
C. God the Spirit – The Spirit is ascribed
with the work of Faith and life. The work of the Holy Spirit is necessary
because man cannot by his own reason, strength or will believe in Jesus Christ
or come to Him.
1. He cannot come by his own reason – “But a natural man can not accept the things
of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he can not understand
them because they are spiritually appraised.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14
2. He cannot come by his own strength – “You are dead in your trespasses and sins.”
Ephesians 2:1
3. He can’t come by his own will – “The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward
God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not able to do
so.” – Romans 8:7
Transition: We see the LORD’s intention intent
and goal with man to abide with him. We know of his life and work. But where is
the LORD to be found?
3. The LORD’s location.
A. God the Father – He remains the LORD in
the universe. “’Can anyone hide in secret
places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do not I fill heaven and
earth?" declares the LORD’.” – Jeremiah 23:24
B. God the Son – In the person of Jesus of
Nazareth there is both salvation and life. “And
we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order
that we might know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son
Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20
C. God the Spirit – He directs the life of
every Christian. Every person is born an unbeliever. He remains in that state
until he is “born again” of the Holy
Spirit. To be born again is to be born from above, to be born spiritually, to
be born of God. “That which is born of
flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel
that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’.” – John 3:5-7
The entire Godhead is working on your behalf to have a
relationship with you. All praise to the blessed Trinity and the undivided
Unity.
Passive Sentences – 10%
Readability – 77.9%
Reading Level – 6.0
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