The Junior Bible Quiz Sermon Series
Quote the verse of Second Corinthians which speaks of all three members of the trinity.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. I Corinthians 13:14
Purpose: An inspirational message that reveals the character of God and the hope of relating to him in the fullness of who he is.
How I would introduce this message: This verse is used to prove that God exists in the form of the trinity. But, the message is deeper than simply expressing a theological fact. Each member of the trinity is associated with a particular character trait. It shows us the depth of who God is. Relating to God in his fullness reveals who he is in the fullness of his character.
I. The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Grace is favor shown to someone who does not deserve it. When you are kind to someone who has been unkind to you, you are showing grace. When you show respect to someone who others do not respect, you are showing grace. When you have the power to destroy an enemy but you choose not to, you are showing grace. When it comes to grace, Jesus Christ is the part of the trinity who reveals to us God's grace.
2. Biblical support: “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus was betrayed by his people, abandoned by his friends, and condemned by his country. And yet, he came back to save all people. He had the power to destroy his enemies. He offered them eternal life, instead. That is grace.
3. The point: When you are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are in a relationship with someone who extends you grace. When you are in a relationship with Jesus, his grace rubs off on you and you become increasingly full of grace. He changes you into his likeness in the same way our friends affect us.
II. The Love of God (the Father)
1. Love is the characteristic that sacrifices for the well being of that someone who is loved. Lately, I am experiencing that feeling of love for my son who is going to college in the fall as a music education major. He needs an expensive horn for school. I am blessed to be able to make extra money as a sports official. As much as it is hard work, the thought of helping my son achieve his dreams motivates me to keep going. But, that is nothing compared to what God the Father gave up for our salvation. He gave up the person who he is in an eternal relationship of love and fellowship to be abused and killed by the very person he wanted to save. God's love is extreme.
2. Biblical support: God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
3. The point: When you know God, you know love. Love causes you to invest in other people. You invest in your own children. You invest in the lives of others. You invest in people who don't know or don't like. Your friends rub off on you, and when God is your friend, He rubs off you, too.
III. The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
1. Fellowship occurs when people who are in relationship are in communication. That communication can take on many forms. For church people, that can mean attending church, or a church function. For friends, it can be doing enjoyable things together. Or, it can be just talking over a cup of coffee. The Holy Spirit is the characteristic of fellowship in the trinity. The Holy Spirit teaches, the Holy Spirit guides, the Holy Spirit motivates. The Holy Spirit communicates God's thoughts and desires and instructions. The Holy Spirit at times hangs out with us.
2. Biblical support: On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and allowed them to communicate God's plan of salvation to people who do not share a common language. The Holy Spirit broke down the barriers to fellowship. The Holy Spirit broke down the cultural barriers between believers of different ethnic background.
3. The point: The Holy Spirit links us to the mind of God. He allows fellowship between creator and the created. When you are in a relationship with God, you are fellowshipping with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Like any relationship, your friends rub off on you. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you seek fellowship with those who follow Jesus Christ.
How I would conclude: Grace, love, and fellowship are the results of being in a relationship with God. God, the triune, exists in the fullness of three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each one embodies for us a certain characteristic. Jesus shows us the grace of God. The Father shows us love. The Holy Spirit draws us into fellowship. These three are one. And that one saves us
