It’s Trinity
Sunday – probably one of the least favorite Sundays of the year.
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Only
Sunday that has a theme based on a doctrine. The rest are more event-oriented
or provide the passages that doctrines are drawn from.
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The
word “trinity” is not in the Bible. That word was coined to describe how God
talks about Himself.
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The
concept of the Trinity – 3 persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), in 1 God –
is taught by the Bible.
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So,
we’re trying to confess what God says about Himself – we’re trying to talk
about God the way He talks about Himself … even if what He says about Himself
is a mystery to us.
Of course,
we are not the first people to wrestle with what it means for God to be Triune.
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1st
half of the Athanasian creed – which we use only on Trinity Sunday – tediously (but
very thoroughly!) describes the relationship of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit within their oneness as God.
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And,
of course, everyone loves the Athanasian Creed … which takes about 4 minutes to
speak.
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(Memorized?)
On top of
that long creed, we have two long readings – both displaying or at least
hinting at the Trinity.
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Genesis
1 – Creation account.
o
God
creates, Spirit hovers, God speaks (Word!)
o
“Let
us make man (humanity) in our image.” Plural.
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Acts
2 – Continuation of Peter’s Pentecost Sermon
o
See
the work of the Holy Spirit as the Apostles testify about God and Jesus.
o
All
three persons are at work
o
One
essence and purpose – salvation.
But our
Gospel lesson is short – and clearly names the three persons of the Trinity.
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Set
within God’s purpose … and therefore our purpose! Make disciples!
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Baptizing
and teaching.
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Baptizing
part is specifically done “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit.”
This idea of
“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” is very
important.
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Name
is authority
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Name
is connection - family
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Name
marks us as belonging to God.
God is
deeply concerned about His name
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2nd
Commandment – You shall not misuse God’s name.
o
Threat
– God will not hold guiltless anyone who misuses His name.
o
We
should not be afraid to use God’s name … or names, but we should use them
according to His will – to pray, praise, give thanks.
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Lord’s
Prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name.”
o
Cherish
God’s name, hold it sacred
o
Recognition
– God’s name is who He is. We want to represent God rightly – in what we say
and what we do.
Remember,
God has chosen to communicate through WORDS … including His names
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YHWH
– He Is. “I am who I am.”
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Called
the God who sees!
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Jesus
– The LORD Saves – God’s desire that everyone who calls on His name will be
saved!
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Holy
Spirit – Comforter, Advocate – describing His work.
As a disciple
of Jesus – baptized and taught – God places His name on you.
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That
means, yes, your behavior matters. You represent Him. Does your life give:
o
A
message of lawlessness and cheap grace?
o
A
message of rigidity and no grace?
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We
want to represent God rightly!
o
Sin
is sin. We identify sin and call it what it is … in the world, but also in
ourselves!
o
Our
only hope is God’s forgiveness in Christ. We constantly point to Jesus as our
savior and hope!
o
Strive
to live our lives according to His Word.
§ Repentance
§ Holiness
§ Most importantly, confidence in God’s
grace leading to hope and joy.
1992 – Rage Against
the Machine – Killing in the Name (Not a nice song!)
Today, as
Christians have for centuries, Living in the Name …
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Father
– creatures, created in His image, fallen, but also forgiven and adopted as children.
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Son
– Jesus – God in human flesh – redeemed, ransomed by His blood, dying in His
death, and living in His resurrection
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Holy
Spirit – the deposit and guarantee of God’s love and salvation – gives us Jesus
– creates faith, dwells in and with us, calls, gathers, and keeps.
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Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit – life of faith and hope because of His love.
Go forth –
Living in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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