Pr. DFD : Trinity

Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts

Friday, May 29, 2026

Saturday prior to Trinity

There are few hymns that are addressed to, or focus on, the Holy Spirit. Sunday’s Hymn of the Day, Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (LSB #498), is one such hymn. It is of ancient origin, from at least the eighth century, and generally attributed to the great Frankish scholar and theologian, Rhabanus Maurus (though sometimes Gregory the Great or Charlemagne are given credit). In the Middle Ages, it was one of the best loved and most frequently used invocations of the Holy Spirit, and its singing was accompanied by the use of incense, candles, bells, and rich vestments. The last two stanzas are explicitly Trinitarian, making it ideal for Trinity Sunday: stanza six (like Luther’s explanation to the Third Article of the Creed) affirms that it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us to know the Triune God aright, and stanza seven is a doxology—a hymn of praise to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Rabanus Maurus (c. 776-856) was born of noble parents at Mainz, and educated at Fulda and Tours under Alcuin, who is reputed to have given him the surname, Maurus, after the saint of that name. In 803, he became director of the school at the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda. He was ordained priest in 814, spending the following years in a pilgrimage to Palestine. In 822, he became Abbott at Fulda, retiring in 842. In 847, he became archbishop of Mainz. He died at Winkel on the Rhine, February 4, 856. This distinguished poet-theologian wrote extensive biblical commentaries, the Encyclopaedic De Universo, De Institutione Clericorum, and other works which circulated widely during the Middle Ages. Some of his poems, with English translations, are in Helen Waddell's Mediaeval Latin Lyrics. He is the author of some of the following hymns:

O Come, Creator Spirit, come

Christ, the fair glory of the holy angels

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire

Creator Spirit, by whose aid

Although his hymns are over 1,000 years old they still remain relevant speaking to our time.

Collect for peace: O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

https://hymnary.org/text/come_holy_ghost_creator_blest

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Friday prior to Trinity

Matthew 28:16–20—Before His ascension to the right hand of His Father, Jesus charged His disciples with the task of making disciples of all nations. What are the tools which He has given to accomplish this task? His teaching and the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Baptism in the Name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Which parts of His Word are important? Which of His Words are they to pass down faithfully? Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Finally, He promises always to be with us—and so He is, in Word and Sacrament, the means of grace.

“Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” –v.18 This authority comes from the Savior Himself. It was given to Him by the Father. Jesus who lives and rules over heaven and earth has been given authority by His Father. But His authority we go out into the world. We do not go it alone. He leads, we follow. We speak and move and act under His authority.

Christ commissions His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations through Baptism and teaching. Christ promises to be with us, and He is the one who makes disciples through our baptizing and teaching. Today, remember your Baptism and confirmation in the faith which are precious blessings for the Lord’s disciples. His love and care are new for you every morning.

Send us, Lord, to make disciples in Your name in accordance with our calling in life.

Collect for grace: Almighty God, heavenly Father, Your mercies are new to us every morning and, though we in no wise deserve Your goodness, You abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. Give us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and cheerfully serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Thursday prior to Trinity

Acts 2:14a, 22–36—The second reading for the Trinity Sunday is a continuation of St Peter’s Pentecost Day sermon in Jerusalem. In this portion, Peter speaks of Jesus Christ, a man attested to you by God with mighty wonders and signs, who was crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men, but raised up from the dead because He was not just a man, but also Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Peter quotes from Psalms 16 and 110, showing how the Old Testament testifies of Christ, and also proclaims how all three persons of the Trinity were involved in the salvation of mankind. Jesus (the Son) was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God (the Father), has been exalted at the right hand of God, and now pours out His Spirit that people might hear and believe the Good News.

The resurrection of Christ is the central message of the Christian Church and the cornerstone content of our witness in the world. The message of the early Church is the message of the 21^st Century Church. The proclamation that Christ lives and reigns is the hope and challenge that the world most desperately needs to hear. Without this proclamation, we have no message.

Charles Colson once recounted a powerful story about the bold witness of a Russian Orthodox monk. It happened in 1990 in Moscow on the Russian May Day. Mikhail Gorbachev and other Russian leaders were standing on a platform in Red Square watching a procession of tanks, missiles and troops rumble past them. That year’s May Day celebration was different, however, for, behind the tanks and missiles and troops, followed a massive throng of protesters calling for freedom and heralding the collapse of the old Communist state. It was out of this mass of protesters that this monk made his bold statement. As they passed before the platform, this monk hoisted a huge crucifix into the air, stepped out of the mass of protesters towards the leaders on the platform and shouted, “Mikhail Sergeyevich! Christ is risen!” At this, Gorbachev turned and walked off the platform. - Charles Colson, The Enduring Revolution, p.28-29.

Prayer for the Holy Spirit: Lord God, heavenly Father, let Your Holy Spirit dwell in us that He may enlighten and lead us into all truth and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and same Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Wednesday prior to Trinity

Genesis 1:1—2:4a - The opening chapter of the Bible matter-of-factly recounts the creation of the earth, the universe, and all that is in them in seven days by God. Which person of the Trinity was responsible for the creation? All three persons! The first three verses alone proclaim this fact: The Spirit is said to be hovering over the face of the waters, while God (the Father) speaks—speaks His Word, who is the Son, as St John tells us in the opening verses of his Gospel. On the sixth day, there is further testament to the working of the Trinity, when God says, Let Us make man in Our own image, after Our likeness. The singular God here speaks in the plural. Not just the Father, but the Son and the Holy Spirit as well, were involved in the work of creation, just as all three are involved in the work of salvation.

God could not save what he did not make. To prove His love for you Jesus became human to redeem the human world. Jesus who as a full human; has the capacity to feel the hurts of friends. He shares the sorrow of Martha. He weeps with Mary over Lazarus’ death. He expresses His love for his friends. Jesus did not really need to cry. He knew what he was going to do in the raising of Lazarus. Yet, human as He was, He was caught up in the situation. He identified with His friends.

When we are ill, Christ’s healing reveals His glory. When we are dead, Christ’s raising us, like Lazarus, all for the glory of God. In the resurrection, the glory of God’s power is manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of the Lord’s help.

The creative power of God is found in his vast creation. Luther sums it all in his explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed. “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”

Collect for the Feast of the Holy Trinity: Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Tuesday prior to Trinity

Psalm 8—This psalm of David nicely ties together the three appointed readings for Trinity Sunday. The first two verses tell how the entire creation proclaims the majesty, glory, and strength of the Lord, the Creator of all things, as testified to in the Old Testament reading. The rest of the psalm speaks of Christ, the second Adam, our Savior, of whose redemption Peter preaches in the Epistle reading, (Acts 2: 14a, 22–36) and who commissions His Church to make disciples by baptizing and teaching about Him in the Gospel reading.

The psalm begins by crying out the name of the one and only true God, and then confesses Him to be our ruler. The name of Yahweh is rightly described. Yahweh alone is always has been and always will be the one who exists and, by extension, is always present to act on behalf of humankind for our salvation. God’s majesty is tangibly revealed on earth in the wonderful detail and design of creation and extends beyond our view into the heavens.

The characteristic beauty of creation is meant to draw our attention to its Designer. Everything around us that we appreciate through our senses is a gift of God to be enjoyed. That also includes the food we eat, art, architecture, literature, technology, and medicine – things designed by humans by God-granted creativity. It’s meant to be enjoyed for the pleasure it brings us. But creation is also a reminder to all people at all times and all places that God is the architect of its grandeur. He is the recipient of praise and worship.

“Oh LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:1; 3-4)

It should be obvious that however creative humans can be, we are incapable of anything as wondrous and complex and awe-inspiring as God’s created order. And yet incredibly, God has granted us responsibility for tending to earth. Our farmers are stewards of our natural resources. By His help you feed the world.

“Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:5-8)

We are made care-takers of this world, to watch over all the plants, animals, and seas. The name of Jesus will be exalted in all the earth because all the earth bears his trademark.

As you take in the beauty of creation look at the good gifts around you. Even better, open the Scriptures which make abundantly clear the good news of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to take a special camping trip to experience the joy of the glory of Jesus Christ. His glory never fades. His goodness never diminishes.

“Oh LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9)

A Prayer for Agriculture: Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness.

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Monday prior to Trinity

Psalm 16:8–11—The antiphon for coming Sunday’s Introit is an ancient liturgical text: Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to Him because He has shown His mercy to us. The Triune God has shown His mercy to us by creating us, daily providing for all our needs, and in accomplishing our salvation by the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Our response, therefore, is to give glory to Him, and to set the LORD always before us, for He has made known to us the path of life.

In these verses David writes as though the Lord stands beside him and holds his hand, like a father caring for his son. The Lord is the focus of David’s service and his ally. Because the Lord lives and sustains all life David is confident that the righteous will endure despite physical death. According to Acts 2:25-28 this prophecy is connected directly to Jesus’ resurrection.

In Israelite thought, the right hand was the favored one. As such, it symbolized the place of privilege or strength. The chief court official was seated at the king’s right hand as a symbol of his power and authority. This term can describe God’s chosen servant.

Christ gives us joy and He is faithful. Verse 9 states, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” We will have joy and peace, and we can rest when our eyes are focused on Jesus. He takes delight in us and views us as His perfect and most beautiful creation. He is faithful to us and is always with us.

When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord, He is always with us. Regardless of the battles we may be facing, He is our strength. With Him by our side, we will not be shaken. We can rest in complete assurance that He is with us in all situations.

Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace always proceeds and follows us, help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and find in You, our heavenly treasure; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Saturday, May 23, 2026

THE HOLY TRINITY study notes

Genesis 1:1—2:4a

Acts 2:14a, 22–36

Matthew 28:16–20

The Holy Triune God Recreates Us in the Image and Likeness of Christ Jesus

The holy Triune God “created the heavens and the earth,” and “behold, it was very good” (Gen. 1:1, 31). However, after Adam and Eve fell into sin and plunged God’s good creation into decay and death, the Son of God would be “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” to be “crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). As Jesus “received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:33), He also raises up all the baptized and pours out the Spirit upon them through the preaching of His Gospel. He sends out His apostles to “make disciples of all nations” by “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and “teaching them to observe all that [He has] commanded” (Matt. 28:19–20). Through such baptizing and teaching — Gospel and Sacraments — the holy Triune God recreates us in the image and likeness of His incarnate Son, Jesus the Christ, and behold, it is “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16

Οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς,

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

Matthew 28:17

καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν.

And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Matthew 28:18

καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· Ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς·

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:19

πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος,

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:20

διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Image of the Trinity © Higher Things

Friday, June 13, 2025

Saturday prior to Trinity

[1]

Luke 2:14; John 1:29, Revelation 5:9-14; Ephesians 1:20-21 The Hymn of the Day is “All Glory Be to God on High” (LSB #947). The original Gloria in Excelsis Deo was sung by a choir of angels at the announcement of the birth of Christ. Christmas won’t come for another eight months but every time we as Christians gather we are given opportunity to sing the praises of our God. Together we will gather to praise the name of our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May our God remain at the center of our life and worship.

“All Glory Be to God on High” LSB 947

1 All glory be to God on high And thanks for all His favor;

No harm can touch or terrify A child of God forever.

God shows His good and gracious will And grants His peace, the world to fill—

All strife at last has ended.

2 We praise and laud and worship You; We give You thanks forever,

O Father, for Your rule is true And just and changes never.

With boundless pow’r, Your mighty reign Fulfills whatever You ordain.

Lord, grant us ev’ry blessing!

3 O Jesus Christ, the only Son Begotten of the Father,

Your saving death has made us one With God and with each other.

O Lamb of God, to You on high in our distress we sinners cry,

Have mercy on us, amen!

4 O Holy Spirit, our delight And source of consolation,

Protect us from the devil’s might Through Jesus, our salvation,

Who by His death upon a tree Has rescued us from misery:

To this we hold forever. [2]

Happy Flag Day!

[3]

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Friday prior to Trinity

[1]

John 8:48-59— In the Gospel lesson Jesus gives claims concerning Himself. The religious leaders lay a charge at Jesus –“You are worse a Samaritan! You are possessed by a demon!” To this charge Jesus claims that He is the only one sent by the Father. He does not claim to know God. He claims to be God.

You could almost hear Jesus’ enemies speaking amongst themselves. “Can you believe what this Jesus had to say?” Yet, what He says offers life. Consider His claims.

“Before Abraham was I am.” This is equivalent to claiming himself to God. How could Jesus exist before Abraham unless he is God? And his claim that Abraham rejoiced to see his day, and to see it and to be glad. Yet, “my day” is that day of crucifixion where Jesus, as the Lamb of God bore the sin of the world in his own body. The LORD spared Isaac on the altar of sacrifice. Yet for your redemption Christ took your infirmities, your sins and omissions as his own. He bore them on cross as the perfect sacrifice offering you and exchange for your sin.

He claims to know God? Yes, as he followed the Father’s will and word perfectly for you. Who does this Jesus make himself out to be? He is equal to the Father and becomes the perfect sacrifice for your many sins.

The doctrine of the Trinity embraces the full nature and work of God and His embrace to you.

The Father – God for us

The Son – God with us

The Spirit – God in us.

Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Thursday prior to Trinity

[1]

Acts 2:14a, 22-36— The epistle lesson is a continuation from the Pentecost experience. The apostles had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and had spoken in other languages to various groups. Now they stand with Peter, who serves as their spokesman. Peter, the man who once denied his Savior now boldly confesses Him as God and Lord.

The Trinity is central in the life of our Christian worship. References to the Trinity are encountered frequently in worship. The worship service opens with the Invocation – “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The service may close with the threefold Aaronic benediction. The Christian life begins with baptism “In the Name of the Father…” At Confirmation the Trinity is used for the blessing, “The Father in heaven for Jesus’ sake renew and increase in you the gift of the Holy Spirit.” After a Psalm is prayed in the Introit the congregation says or sings the Gloria Patri: “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.” The Doxology is used at the dedication of the offering: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” The New Testament benediction involves the Trinity: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Collect for Trinity – Almighty and everlasting God, You have give us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true fait hand to worship the unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign one God, now and forever.[ 2]

Wednesday prior to Trinity

[1]

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 – The Old Testament lesson reveals that it is God the Father who is the creator of the universe. True, all three persons of the Trinity were present at the creation. Yet it is the Father who is confessed as the creator of us all. Wisdom was with God at the creation. Paul refers to Christ as the wisdom of God [see 1 Corinthians 1:24]. Wisdom is also identified with the Spirit who guides us into all truth. [See John 3:16]

The theme for this coming Trinity Sunday “The Blessed Trinity Blesses” is highlighted in the Old Testament lesson as we observe that God the Father creates and sustains the universe. Here Solomon describes the work of creation by God the Father and yet we can see the Trinity throughout the lesson. As mentioned before, the Father is credited for His work of Creation. The Son and the Sprit are there as the person identified as wisdom can be identified as either the Spirit or Christ Himself. Wisdom was with the Father at the creation. Paul refers to Christ as the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24) Wisdom is also identified with the Spirit who guides us into all truth. (John 16:13)

Proverbs contains the wisdom sayings that were part of the Jewish Scriptures. The personal pronoun “I” used in this week’s reading refers to wisdom. Notice throughout the reading that wisdom – knowledge – was with God from the very beginning; and that those who listened to the wisdom of God would be happy and find life. “Peace” too is a characteristic Hebrew blessing, meaning well-being and security, the kind that comes only to people who concentrate on God.

Collects for the week of Pentecost - O God, who gave Your Holy Spirit to the apostles, grant us that same Spirit that we may live in faith and abide in peace; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [2] -

Monday, June 9, 2025

Tuesday prior to Trinity

[1]

Psalm 8— Man the Crown of Creation. This is to be brought to pass under the Messiah, in the day of His Triumphant Reign. (See Hebrews 2:6-9) Jesus quoted verse 2 as referring to an incident in His own life. (See Matthew 21:16) (Vv.1-2) As he contemplates the great expanse of the universe the psalmist is overwhelmed by a sense of man’s littleness. He marvels that God not only bothers about man, but has set him over all other creatures (Vv. 5-8) The psalm ends, as it began, with a refrain of praise to God (Vv. 1, 9) (Vv. 4-6) see Hebrews 2:6-9 and Genesis 1:28

Psalm 8 – The Glory of God in Creation

The title of this psalm reads, To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David. It indicates the audience of the psalm (the Chief Musician), the author of the psalm (of David) and the sound of the psalm (the instrument of Gath). In this psalm David speaks of the glory of God, and how the glory of man and his destiny reflect upon God. [2]

Collect for Psalm 8: Almighty Lord, amid the grandeur of your creation you sought us out, and by the coming of your Son you adorned us with glory and honor, raising us in him above the heavens. Enable us, so to care for the earth that all creation may radiate the splendor of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-8/

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Monday prior to Trinity

[1]

Psalm 16:8-11 - The antiphon is an ancient Liturgical Text — The Psalmist describes the joy of total security. David speaks here, as in the rest of the psalm, for of all of himself and of the life he now enjoys by the gracious provision and care of God. The Lord, in whom the psalmist takes refuge, wills life for him and will not abandon him to the grave, even though flesh and heart may fail. (See Psalm 73:26) When David mentions “your Holy One” in verse 10 he is speaking of himself but ultimately of Christ. Jesus did not suffer decay once He died. Once He died on Calvary’s cross death itself began working backward. The words of this verse have been majestically sung in Handle’s Messiah. It is a critical verse when discussing the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. Did the body wrapped in the shroud experience decomposition? If so, it cannot be the burial cloth of Christ. If not, it might very well be Christ’s shroud.

“The Blessed Trinity Blesses” is the theme for this coming week. In the Old Testament lesson, [Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31] God the Father creates the universe. The Epistle, [Acts 2:22-36] is a continuation with Peter’s Pentecost sermon. The object is on God the Son who alone justifies and saves us. In the Gospel [John 8:48-59] Jesus identifies His true identity. God the Spirit reveals this truth to us in the clear words of the Gospel.

Trinity Sunday calls for us to consider the doctrine that sets us apart from all other pagan religions. As the Athanasian Creed reminds us, “Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic [i.e. Christian] faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally…whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.” The Bible does not specifically mention the term “Trinity” yet, its teaching can be found on literally every page.

Psalm 16 – the Benefits of a life committed to God

This psalm is titled A Michtam of David. The title Michtam is commonly understood as golden; others think it is related to a word meaning to cover. Since the psalms with this title (16, 56-60) are written from times of peril, some think the idea is of covering the lips in the sense of secrecy, as if this were a secret or silent psalm given in a time of crisis. This is a wonderful song relating how David found the secret of contentment and great gladness even in pressing times; it also powerfully predicts Jesus and His work for us.[2]

Collect for Psalm 16: Lord Jesus, uphold those who hope in you, and give us your counsel, so that we may know the joy of your resurrection and share the pleasures of the saints at your right hand, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [3]

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-16/

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Trinity study notes

HOLY TRINITY

Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31

Acts 2:14a, 22–36

John 8:48–59

Collect for Trinity – Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true fait hand to worship the unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign one God, now and forever.

The Triune God Reveals Himself in Christ Jesus

The divine Word of the Father is also the holy Wisdom who “was beside him, like a master workman,” who “was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always” (Prov. 8:30).

This Word became flesh and suffered death, in order to bestow life by the preaching of His Gospel “to the children of man” (Prov. 8:4).

He honors the Father, and the Father glorifies Him by raising Him from the dead, so that all who keep His Word “will never see death” (John 8:51).

Long ago, “father Abraham rejoiced” in the day of Christ, for “he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). Though Christ was “crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men,” “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death” (Acts 2:23, 24).

As He “received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:33), so it is by and through the Son that God the Father pours out the Holy Spirit upon His Church.

John 8:48 –

Ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Οὐ καλῶς λέγομεν ἡμεῖς ὅτι Σαμαρίτης εἶ σὺ καὶ δαιμόνιον ἔχεις;

"you're worse than a Samaritan!" You have a demon! See John 4 Jews and Samaritans had nothing to do with each other. See verse 41, "we were not born of fornication"

John 8:49 –

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς· Ἐγὼ δαιμόνιον οὐκ ἔχω, ἀλλὰ τιμῶ τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀτιμάζετέ με.

a demon I do not have but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.

John 8:50 –

ἐγὼ δὲ οὐ ζητῶ τὴν δόξαν μου· ἔστιν ὁ ζητῶν καὶ κρίνων.

but I do not seek my glory but there is one who seeks and judges.

(They are one in the same) 1 Peter 2:23 - The Father finds the glory in the cross. See Jesus' prayer in the garden, "Thy will be done..." Judging...is it the world or Christ?

John 8:51 –

ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐάν τις τὸν [b] ἐμὸν λόγον τηρήσῃ, θάνατον οὐ μὴ θεωρήσῃ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

truly I say to you whoever keeps my word will not taste death into the age. "Whoever believes in me will never die." Into the age they will NOT, no way no way, ever behold death into the age. Will not be dead forever.

See - John 11:25-27, keeping his word is the same as believing in him.

See the first resurrection in Revelation 20:5-6

John 8:52 –

εἶπον αὐτῷ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι· Νῦν ἐγνώκαμεν ὅτι δαιμόνιον ἔχεις. Ἀβραὰμ ἀπέθανεν καὶ οἱ προφῆται, καὶ σὺ λέγεις· Ἐάν τις τὸν λόγον μου τηρήσῃ, οὐ μὴ γεύσηται θανάτου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα·

Jews said, now we know you have a demon. Abraham died as did the prophets yet you say if any man keep your word he will never taste death.

John 8:53 -

μὴ σὺ μείζων εἶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀβραάμ, ὅστις ἀπέθανεν; καὶ οἱ προφῆται ἀπέθανον· τίνα [d]σεαυτὸν ποιεῖς;

You certainly are not greater than Abraham, he died as did the prophets. Who do you make yourself out to be?

John 8:54 –

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς· Ἐὰν ἐγὼ [e] δοξάσω ἐμαυτόν, ἡ δόξα μου οὐδέν ἐστιν· ἔστιν ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ δοξάζων με, ὃν ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι θεὸς [f] ἡμῶν ἐστιν,

If I glorify myself it's means nothing. It is My Father whom you say is your God is glorifying me.

Reference to the unity of the godhead.

John 8:55 -

καὶ οὐκ ἐγνώκατε αὐτόν, ἐγὼ δὲ οἶδα αὐτόν· κἂν εἴπω ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα αὐτόν, ἔσομαι ὅμοιος [g] ὑμῖν ψεύστης· ἀλλὰ οἶδα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ τηρῶ.

you have not known Him and continue not to know him, I know Him, and if I say I do not know him, I am a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.

Here "know" = to be intimately acquainted with.

John 8:56 –

Ἀβραὰμ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἠγαλλιάσατο ἵνα ἴδῃ τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ἐμήν, καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἐχάρη.

Your Father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day. He saw it and was glad.

(See Genesis 15 Word of the a Lord came... See Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac...) "my day" is this the crucifixion/resurrection?

Jo hn 8:57 –

εἶπον οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι πρὸς αὐτόν· Πεντήκοντα ἔτη οὔπω ἔχεις καὶ Ἀβραὰμ ἑώρακας;

fifty years you do not have and you have seen Abraham!

John 8:58 –

εἶπεν [h] αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγὼ εἰμί.

I tell you the truth. Before Abraham was born I am!

(See John 8:24, 28; the garden, walking on the water "ego eiem"

John 8:59 –

ἦραν οὖν λίθους ἵνα βάλωσιν ἐπ’ αὐτόν· Ἰησοῦς δὲ ἐκρύβη καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ [a]ἱεροῦ.

At this, they picked up stones to stone him. But Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Almost like "and it was night" this is it. The glory has left. They had forgotten the Lord's acts of redemption e.g. The Passover. See the words of Stephen in Acts 7 "you are rejecting the Holy Spirit just as your Father's"

Possible Sermon idea taken from the standpoint of the Jews, "Can you believe what this Jesus had to say?"

Sources:

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Wednesday prior to Trinity

[1]