On the Trinity - Full Transcript

Let us begin with prayer. Almighty and eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we come before You this day to contemplate the mystery of Your triune nature. Open our hearts and minds to understand what You have revealed about Yourself in Your Word. May this knowledge lead us to deeper worship and greater love for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Beloved in Christ, we gather today to contemplate one of the most profound mysteries of our faith: the Holy Trinity. This doctrine, that God is one in essence but three in persons, is not a human invention but a truth revealed by God Himself in Scripture. Though our finite minds cannot fully comprehend this mystery, we can and must seek to understand it as far as God has revealed it to us. The doctrine of the Trinity is not a peripheral teaching but lies at the very heart of our faith. It is the foundation upon which all other doctrines rest. Our understanding of God, of salvation, of the church, and of our own identity as believers is shaped by this fundamental truth about the nature of God. In the coming hour, we will explore the biblical foundation of this doctrine, examine its implications for our understanding of God and salvation, and consider its practical applications for our daily lives.

The doctrine of the Trinity is firmly rooted in Scripture. We see it in the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Notice that it says "in the name" (singular) of the three persons, indicating both unity and distinction. We also see the Trinity in the creation account, where God says, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26). The use of the plural "us" and "our" suggests a plurality within the Godhead. This is not polytheism, for Scripture consistently affirms monotheism, but a plurality of persons within the one God. Throughout the New Testament, we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit presented as distinct persons who are yet one God. Jesus speaks of the Father as distinct from Himself, and of the Holy Spirit as another Helper who will come after He departs. Yet He also claims to be one with the Father and to be God Himself. The apostle Paul writes of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), presenting the three persons as distinct yet united in their work of blessing the church.

First, we must affirm the unity of God. Scripture is clear that there is only one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." This monotheistic foundation is essential to our understanding of the Trinity. We do not believe in three gods, but in one God who exists in three persons. This unity is not merely a unity of purpose or will, but a unity of essence. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share the same divine nature. They are not three parts of God, but each is fully God. This is why we can say that each person of the Trinity is worthy of worship, for each is fully divine. The unity of God is also seen in their perfect harmony of will and purpose. The three persons never act independently or in opposition to one another. They always work together in perfect unity, each fulfilling His distinct role in the divine plan. This unity is also reflected in the fact that we are baptized into the name (singular) of the three persons, not into their names (plural). The three persons are so united that they can be spoken of as one name.

While affirming the unity of God, we must also recognize the distinction between the three persons. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Each person has His own distinct role in the work of salvation and in the life of the believer. The Father is the source and origin of all things. He is the one who sends the Son and the Spirit. Jesus speaks of the Father as greater than Himself (John 14:28), not in terms of essence but in terms of role and relationship. The Father is the one who planned salvation from eternity past and who sent the Son to accomplish it. The Son is the one who became incarnate, lived among us, died for our sins, and rose again. He is the Word who was with God and was God (John 1:1), who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He is the one through whom all things were created and through whom all things are reconciled to God. The Holy Spirit is the one who applies the work of Christ to our hearts, convicting us of sin and drawing us to Christ. He is the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). He is the one who indwells believers and produces the fruit of righteousness in our lives.

The three persons of the Trinity have existed eternally in perfect love and harmony. There was never a time when the Father existed without the Son or the Holy Spirit. The Son is eternally begotten of the Father, and the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son. This eternal relationship is the foundation of all love and community. The love that exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the source and model of all true love. It is this love that God desires to share with us through our union with Christ. The eternal nature of the Trinity also means that God is not lonely or in need of companionship. He is complete in Himself, existing in perfect fellowship within the Godhead. This is why He can create us out of love rather than out of need. The eternal relationship also means that the work of salvation is not a response to a crisis but the outworking of an eternal plan. The Father chose us before the foundation of the world, the Son agreed to become incarnate and die for our sins, and the Holy Spirit agreed to apply this salvation to our hearts.

While the three persons are distinct, they work together in perfect unity. In creation, the Father spoke, the Son was the Word through whom all things were made, and the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters. In redemption, the Father sent the Son, the Son accomplished our salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts. This unity in work does not mean that the persons are interchangeable, but that they work together in perfect harmony, each fulfilling His distinct role in the divine plan. The Father plans, the Son accomplishes, and the Holy Spirit applies. In the work of salvation, we see this perfect cooperation. The Father chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The Son came to earth, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, draws us to Christ, and works in us to produce the fruit of righteousness. This cooperation is also seen in the work of sanctification. The Father disciplines us as His children (Hebrews 12:5-11). The Son intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). The Holy Spirit works in us to conform us to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The doctrine of the Trinity is not merely an abstract theological concept but has profound implications for our salvation. Our salvation is the work of the triune God: the Father planned it, the Son accomplished it, and the Holy Spirit applies it. The Father chose us before the foundation of the world and sent His Son to redeem us. He is the one who justifies us and who will one day glorify us. He is the one who works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). The Son willingly came, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Mediator. He is the one who reconciles us to God and who represents us before the Father. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, draws us to Christ, and works in us to produce the fruit of righteousness. He is the one who seals us for the day of redemption and who guarantees our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). This trinitarian understanding of salvation reminds us that our salvation is not our own work but the work of God. We are saved by grace through faith, and even our faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Our prayer life is also shaped by the Trinity. We pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us to pray to "Our Father in heaven," and He Himself intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This trinitarian understanding of prayer reminds us that our access to God is not based on our merit but on the work of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We can approach the Father with confidence because of what the Son has done for us and because of the Spirit's work in our hearts. Prayer is also a participation in the eternal conversation of the Trinity. When we pray, we are joining in the fellowship that has existed eternally between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are participating in the divine life. This understanding should fill us with awe and gratitude. We are not merely creatures praying to our Creator, but children praying to our Father, through our Brother, Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The church, as the body of Christ, reflects the unity and diversity of the Trinity. Just as the three persons are distinct yet one, so the members of the church are diverse yet united in Christ. This unity is not uniformity but a harmony of different gifts and callings working together for the glory of God. The church is also the temple of the Holy Spirit, where the triune God dwells among His people. Through the church, God continues to work in the world, drawing people to Himself and building His kingdom. The trinitarian nature of the church is seen in the diversity of gifts and ministries. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have distinct roles yet work together in unity, so the members of the church have different gifts and callings yet work together for the common good. This understanding should lead us to value both unity and diversity in the church. We should not seek uniformity at the expense of the unique gifts and callings of each member, nor should we emphasize diversity at the expense of unity.

We must acknowledge that the Trinity is a mystery that transcends human understanding. Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend how God can be both one and three. This should not lead us to despair but to worship, for it reminds us that God is greater than our understanding. The mystery of the Trinity should also lead us to humility. We must be careful not to go beyond what Scripture teaches or to try to explain the Trinity in ways that Scripture does not support. We must be content to know what God has revealed and to worship Him for what He has not revealed. This mystery also reminds us that God is not like us. He is not a creature but the Creator. He is not bound by the limitations of time and space. He is infinite, eternal, and incomprehensible. This should fill us with awe and wonder. The mystery of the Trinity also points us to the fact that our salvation is not something we could have figured out on our own. It is a revelation from God, a truth that He has graciously revealed to us.

Understanding the Trinity has practical implications for our daily lives. It teaches us about the nature of love and community. It reminds us that we are created for relationship, both with God and with others. It shows us that unity and diversity can coexist in perfect harmony. The Trinity also teaches us about the nature of God's work in the world. God works through means - through the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, and the fellowship of believers. He does not work in isolation but through the community of His people. This understanding should lead us to value community and fellowship. We are not meant to live the Christian life in isolation but in relationship with other believers. We are part of the body of Christ, and each member has a role to play. The Trinity also teaches us about the nature of love. True love is not self-centered but other-centered. It seeks the good of others and finds joy in their well-being. This is the kind of love that should characterize our relationships with others.

Let us examine our hearts today. Do we truly worship the triune God? Do we recognize the distinct work of each person in our salvation and sanctification? Do we pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit? Let us pray that God would give us a deeper understanding of His triune nature and help us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. If you have not yet come to know the triune God, I urge you to turn to Christ today. Confess your sins and trust in Him for salvation. The Father will receive you, the Son will save you, and the Holy Spirit will transform you. If you know the triune God, let us live in gratitude and worship. Let us seek to understand Him more deeply and to love Him more fully. Let us be ambassadors of the triune God, sharing the good news of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with a world that desperately needs to know Him. May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be praised forever and ever. Amen.