Sermon Central
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Trinity Schminity Series
Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 14, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Third sermon in a series dealing with the Tough Questions of Scripture. This message looks at issue of the trinity as ultimately a divinity issue, seeking to define the trinity and look at the evidence of Scripture for the revealed doctrine of the Trinity
TRINITY SCHMINITY!
INTRODUCTION: One of the most perplexingly difficult questions of Scripture is that of the Trinity. This is a concept unique to Christianity. No other religion (not that biblical Christianity is a religion – it is a relationship) has incorporated in its belief system this concept of the trinity. Other religions mention the concept of “triads of deities” – nearly all pantheistic religions. Many religions propose that there is only one God – Islam, for example declares that, “there is only one God”. So, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity is a doctrine, which of its own existence is a tough question. How can there be three Gods, and yet one. The validity of the Trinity is also the basis for the ministry and function of the Holy Spirit – but that is perhaps another message.
Proving the Trinity is like proving a negative. It is impossible because the doctrine of the Trinity is indiscoverable by reason – there are no analogies to it in either nature, or even man who was created in the image of God Himself.
I THE MEANING OF THE WORD – TRINITY
A Trinity is a word not found in Scripture
B It is a word used to express the unity of God subsisting in three distinct persons
C It is a word describing the unity of the Godhead as three coeternal, coequal Persons, each having the same substance, but distinct subsistence
D It is a word that describes a purely revealed doctrine, indiscoverable by reason, but clearly taught in Scripture.
WITH THAT ALL SAID –
LET’S LOOK AT WHAT SCRIPTURE HAS TO SAY ABOUT
THE “TRI-UNITY” OF GOD!
II THE QUESTION OF DIVINITY
This is the ultimate question behind the difficulty of accepting and understanding the Trinity. It is ultimately a question of the deity of Christ, and the Holy Spirit. So we will apply the “Chicken Methodology” as a way of discovering the truth about the deity of all three persons
If it ….
Looks like a chicken
Walks like a chicken
Clucks like a chicken
IT’S A CHICKEN
A Who does the Scripture say is God?
1 The Scripture recognizes God the Father as God
John 6:27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
1 Peter 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Ephes. 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
2 The Scripture recognizes Jesus Christ as God
John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 20:28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
3 The Scripture recognizes the Holy Spirit as God
Acts 5:3-4 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
1 Cor. 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
1 Cor. 12:4-6 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT NOTICED –
BIBLICALLY, ALL MEMBERS OF THE TRINITY HAVE PASSED
THE “LOOKS LIKE A CHICKEN” PHASE!
B Who Does The Scripture Say Does The Work Of God?
1 Both the Son and the Holy Spirit possess the attributes of God
John 6:69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Ephes. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
2 Both the Son and the Holy Spirit do the works of God
John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
