The Trinity Series

*Note, much of my commentary came from the website Got Questions and the article on the Trinity. (as quoted in the article)

Title: Understanding the Trinity

Theme: To understand the Trinity and the joy of the relationship.

Text: Matthew 28:16 - 20

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. (17) When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

This passage it is called the Great Commission. It sets forth the duties of the disciples of Jesus. It is where we get our challenge to witness and share our faith to other.

Looking at the passage there are a couple of interesting points I want to bring out. We will focus more on the Great Commission next week. I believe these are important because they are part of our DNA. I want these next few messages to focus on some important doctrines of the scriptures and what we believe. They would be called the essentials of the faith.

So let me make a few points this morning I think are important.

I. They worshiped Jesus

I think this is an interesting statement in the passage. The disciples saw Jesus in His full glory and they worshiped him.

It was not until after the resurrection that they truly understood who the Messiah truly is. That was when the light came on.

Maybe it was where they understood the:

1. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

2. The Power of Jesus to be resurrected from the dead.

3. The Understanding that Jesus can truly forgive sins.

Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost was a summary of understanding they had come to. They finally got what Jesus had been telling them for 3 years.

There is something that happens in us and to us when we experience salvation and resurrection in Christ. We are new creatures. When we surrender to God Himself. A light comes on.

To me this is one of the first signs of salvation. Some say, “I did feel anything”. Salvation is more than emotion, although I think emotion is often involved. Salvation is 1. An awareness of what Jesus has done 2. A change in our heart and life 3. A new focus.

II. Jesus spells out the Trinity

“baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”

The trinity has always been around. This is not knew to the world, but just now introduced. We see the trinity in the Old Testament just less pronounced.

A. Old Testament

Jesus in the Old Testament

Jesus John 1:1 In the beginning was the word

Firey furnace

"Another way that Jesus is in the Old Testament is in the form of Christophanies—pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God. The Old Testament uses the term angel of the Lord interchangeably with the Lord in reference to these visitations. One Christophany is found in Genesis 18:1–33 when the Lord appeared to Abram in human form. Such tangible encounters with deity are scattered throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 16:7–14; 22:11–18; Judges 5:23; 2 Kings 19:35; Daniel 3:25)." – Got Questions website on the Trinity

1. Messianic Scriptures

a. Isaiah 61:1

b. Isaiah 48:16

Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Genesis – brooding over the water

Exodus – given the power to work on the tabernacle

Prophets -

Kings

The Holy Spirit active in humanity

Genesis 6:3 My spirit will not contend (strive, judge, contend) with man long

The Holy Spirit doing the will of the father

Gave physical strength Judges 14,15

Endowed man with skill Ex 31:1-5

Inspired men for leadership Exodus Moses and the 70

Instructed and taught men Neh 9:20; Acts 28:25-27

Inspired the prophets and writing the word 2 Peter 1:21

Came upon men in the Old Testament ( Yet for a time)

Gideon – Judges 6:34

Samson - Judges 13:25, 14:6, 19, 15:14, 16:20

King Saul - 1 Samuel 10:6, 11:6, 16:14

David – Psalms 51:11 “take not thy Holy Spirit from me

There was a hunger in David’s life to dwell in the spirit of the Lord

Promise of the Coming indwelling Spirit

The Father in the Old Testament

The Father is the main leader and recognized.

Why was there just the recognition of the Father?

1. Polytheism was so popular by the time the Old Testament was recorded.