Sermon Central
-
The Trinity - Three In One Series
Contributed by Dan Cale on Nov 6, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the third in a series of dialog based sermons based on A W Tozers book "The Knowledge of The Holy". It is in outline form and is intended for a contemporary dialog series or even a small group setting. This sermon is an open discussion on the Tri
What Is God Like?
Pt 3 - The Trinity - Three in One
Tonight we get to talk about what is the most difficult doctrine of the church and the most difficult subject of scriptural truth. The Trinity.
To spend time thinking about the Trinity is to put our minds to understanding something that really is beyond our comprehension. Last week we talked about God as beyond our understanding but easily within our reach. That is also the truth about this concept of the Trinity.
I admit that I approach this discussion with some misgivings. Every time I talk to someone about this idea - I seem to stutter and stammer my way through with the end result of everyone being more confused than when we started. Let’s take a stab at it anyway.
How can one God be three persons? It’s what God says about Himself!
The Father is called God (1 Cor. 8:6); the Son is called God (Heb. 1:8-10); the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4); God is one God (Deut. 6:4).
This is the place where some people fall off the train. I can’t explain it or understand it so either it’s not true or if it is I just won’t think about it.
Let’s look at some scriptures: Genesis 1:1-2; Genesis 1:26; , Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19; John 14:16,18,23 ; 2 Cor. 13:14
What kind of descriptions do we use to understand this Trinity?
Why do those descriptions fall short?
What can we know and understand about the Trinity.
1) It’s the only way we can reconcile all that God says about Himself. One God, Worship only Him, If you have seen me you have seen the Father. Etc.
2) There is absolute Unity. - No conferences between the persons just simple oneness of purpose. It’s popular to talk about the diversity of the Godhead and attribute different functions to each person but the truth is that all aspects work together in harmony and unity. God cannot be separated from Himself nor can Father Son or Holy Spirit be diverse from the other He is one. While the Spirit moves on the earth Paul equates lying to the Holy Spirit with Lying to God - you see one is not absent from the other.
3) The words of the Nicene Creed express it as the best test of Christian orthodoxy.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The only-begotten Son of God
Begotten of Him before all ages,
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of Very God,
Begotten not made
Being of one substance with the Father,
By whom all things were made.
