Message Notes                                                                                                                                                                                             June 12, 2005
Holy Mystery                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Tri God    

                 

I. The Trinity is progressively revealed throughout scripture.

 

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.

 

 

Genesis 1:26 Then God (singular) said, ‘Let us (plural) make man in our image, in our likeness…’

 

 

Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God (singular) said, ‘The man has now become like one of us (plural)…’

 

 

Daniel 11:13-14 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

 

 

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

 

 

2. The Trinity consists of three persons.


The Father Is Not the Son


John 1:1-2, 14a In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…

 

 

The Son Is Not the Spirit


John 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

 

 

The Spirit Is Not the Father


1 Peter 1:1-2 To God’s elect…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

 

 

3. Each person of the Trinity is fully God


The Father Is God


2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

The Son Is God


John 8:58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

 

 

John 20:28 “Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

 

 

The Spirit Is 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… You have not lied to men but to God.’

 

 

4. God is one


Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

 

 

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

 

 

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder.

 

 

Shallow Water Solutions

Modalism: The Actor God

Subordinationism: The Pecking-Order God

Polytheism: Multiple Gods

 

 

The Trinity is not an unimportant detail! It is what makes Christianity, Christianity It is what makes it unique.

 

 

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

 

 

“Dear God, I want a real relationship with you. I realize that I have sinned against you and been my own boss.  I turn from my sin to you, and ask you to forgive me.  Jesus, I know that you died for me and rose again.  So I ask you into my life, as my leader. I accept the forgiveness that you freely give. Thank you for dying for me.  Help me now to live for you. Amen.”