Trinity Sunday – Sermon 129

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Introduction 

Mention Christmas, Easter, Advent, Holy Week – maybe even Pentecost – to some Christians – and we might see a sparkle of interest – a sparkle of celebration-

But mention Trinity Sunday – and all we’re likely to get is a blank expression –

Its an occasion that few people warm to – and for some Christians passes unnoticed –

Most Christians are happy to talk about God a lot – or Jesus – sometimes the Holy Spirit – but not about all three –

When it comes to – the doctrine of the Trinity –describing – our experience with the living God – many of us feel out of our depth –

We encounter God – as a loving Father – yet sovereign over all – a human being who lived and died among us – yet rose again and is exalted at the Father’s right hand – and as our inner reality – that fills us with peace and joy – hope and power –

we cannot explain how the pieces fit together – but we know they do – because we’ve experienced these truths for ourselves  

Point 1     Knowing God

 

If Paul had written a prayer for this church – like the one he wrote for the Ephesian church – the first thing he would ask for – would be for us to receive a greater knowledge of God

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the all glorious Father – may give you – the spirit of wisdom – and revelation – so you may know Him better -”

Paul’s priority is not healing – or increased church membership – but that those within God’s church – should know Him – more and more – That God – should be real to us – and we should be ever conscious of His presence – with us

Our- source of joy – is not be our own wisdom – abilities – or possessions – but that we know – and belong to Him –

And – Paul knows there’s – a big difference between knowing about someone – and actually knowing them – after all would any of us claim to know the prime-minister –probably – only his wife and family- could claim that –

So how can we get to know God – better – well how does anyone get know someone better – by spending time with them – For God – its about reading and listening to His word – talking to Him in prayer

The Bible talks about God as a Father – a spirit – a light – a rock – a hope – all images intended to help us understand how He interacts with us – and touches – our lives – and day to day experiences

And as we come to know and experience His word – so we need to ask for His help in living it –
As one man put it – the only way we can really – learn about God – is by falling on our knees – and asking Him – to reveal Himself – to us

Are we closer to God – now than we were two years ago – ten years ago?

Paul knows that however established our faith is – however rich our knowledge and experience – of God – there’ s much – more to learn – and discover –– we are all involved in the an exploration of the journey of faith – and like any good explorer – we need to keep expecting to receive new experiences of His love – and fresh insights into His grace –

The heart of the Christian message is love and forgiveness – its about a God who is ready to accept us as we are – rather than as we should be –
a God – who reveals Himself to His people – and remembers and fulfils His promises – A Holy God who requires His people to respond to Him in faith – A God who lives among His people – and has a close bond with them –

Throughout the Bible and history God reveals Himself to us at an ever deepening level

And nowhere is the fulfillment of God’s revelation and saving grace more clearly seen – than in His coming to this earth – as a human being – as Jesus Christ – the Son of God –

In Jesus – the definition of God’s nature was made complete and final – and His knowledge passed directly to us – at first hand – –

 

Point 2      Knowing Jesust

 

There is no doubt that when we are close to someone – and grow to know them – there are times when we believe that we know how they will act in certain situations – and so it should be – with our relationship with Jesus –

Paul urges us to become – so close to him – that we make Him the most important person – in our lives- so much so that His will becomes our will – His way- our way

He urges us – to know Jesus so that He influences our whole way of thinking – its not about reading His – mind – but enabling Him – to shape ours

There is so much within us that is not as it should be – our thoughts – desires – fears – acting to disturb our relationship with God – and to overcome these we have to draw close to God – through Jesus Christ – allow Jesus to teach and guide us – so that we may know God better –

Paul gives us two great examples of God’s power at work – and both of them are connected with Jesus –

the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
and the exaltation of Jesus to God’s right hand –in heaven

God has given Jesus authority over everything –- “God has placed all things under His feet”– even sin and death –

Imagine being trapped in a room – with a strong force – keeping us inside – with all the exists locked – no matter what we try to do – we can’t get out – The only way we can escape is if someone stronger breaks down the door and rescues us –

That’s what Jesus has done for us – through the cross – He has broken the hold – that sinful forces have on our lives – and set us free – with His life saving death

In the cross we see the real horror of sin – sin that affronts God – so much that He had to deal with it Himself – through His Son –

And not only has Jesus rescued us – He is also – our God given defense – against the power that wants us to return to our old ways –

Jesus is head over God’s church – through Him we are reconciled with God – through Jesus we see what God is like – and how He wants us to live our lives – He is the interpreter of the Father and – stretches out his hand to us – so that He might raise us to heaven along with Himself –

Jesus is our great example – when we need to know what to do – we should look to Jesus –

Because Jesus has eternal life – we have been granted eternal life – because He is righteous – we have been declared righteous – Because He is the Son of God – we have been adopted into God’s family – for ever because He is the heir to the kingdom – we have become co-heir with Him

God’s ultimate goal for our lives is not comfort – but character development – we often use the phrase – like Father like Son – well – God wants His children to bear His image – and likeness – by growing up spiritually and becoming more like His Son Jesus Christ –

Have you ever thought how amazing it would have been – to have been around – when Jesus walked on the earth? – to be near Him – to hear Him – to see Him? – it would have been fantastic

But what – if instead of coming to this village He went to the next one – and we missed Him altogether – not so fantastic –

As a man – Jesus can only reach those who see and hear Him – He is limited in time and space – As a Spirit – He is available to anyone – who is willing to receive Him –

Which leads us on to the Holy Spirit.

 

Point 3         The Holy Spirit

We all like to make a good impression – get things just right for that important moment – but when the time comes – so often we find ourselves short on power – when we need it most – in moments of crisis or opportunity – challenge or difficulty – we look for those extra reserves – only to find there is nothing in the tank – whoever we are – however strong our character – we all have limitations –

As Christians – Jesus promised to give us power – power through the Spirit – for living – for speaking – for understanding – Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – and Corinthian churches – are wonderful – examples- of that power – its not power as the world would understand – not about brute force or a show of strength – but power through weakness- and humility – love – service and self sacrifice –

And with such – power within us – we have more than enough to meet whatever is ahead –

If we look at our reading from 1 Cor we see that the words God and Spirit are interchangeable – one and the same –

The Spirits power is also called God’s power – the thoughts of God are the thoughts of the Spirit –
The Spirit speaks to us – He searches all things – He teaches what God has freely given –

Our own wisdom – about God – is helpful – but it’s not the main event – its not the basis on which we reach out to others –or become more and more like Jesus – the basis – is the work and power of the Holy Spirit –

The Holy Spirit reveals to us the amazing good news of the Gospel – it was only after the resurrection – and the coming of the Holy Spirit – that the disciples were finally able to understand – God’s plan of salvation – which had been hidden since the creation –

As Paul reminds us – Just as it takes a human to understand what it means to be human – so it takes God – to understand the things of God – and it is the Spirit that reveals them to us –

Apart from the Spirit we are out of reach of God –
When we have the Holy Spirit within us – we have as much of Jesus as those early disciples had

Jesus Himself – draws on an illustration between the wind and the Spirit – we can’t see Him – but we know He is there because of the effect He has on us – He can be like a gentle breath – or a mighty wind – ready to guide – and take the strain of our troubles – constantly working within us to change our hearts towards God –

He is – incomprehensible to us in many ways – but His presence cannot be denied – and the effect of the Spirit in a person is there for all to see

Ending

 

In the Creed we affirm our faith to one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,- Trinity Sunday tells us that they are totally united – We do not worship three Gods but one – in our Christian experience three persons but in nature one God
– joined in a unity of love –

So – no more blank expressions about the Trinity –

When we think of the Trinity – lets have a big “F” for the Father – a big “S” for the Son and big “S” for the Spirit

and lets celebrate a great – diverse and wonderful God –

  

Prayer to finish

AMEN

Video of Sermon 129 on You Tube