Answering The Tough Questions of Scripture-TRINITY SCHMINITY

TRINITY SCHMINITY

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

Series: Answering The Tough Questions of Scripture

Scripture: Matthew 3:16-17 

Date: 26 February 2017

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.

Eph. 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 1:1

In 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? 4 Didn’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. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There 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.

3 Both the Son and the Holy Spirit receive worship

Philip. 2:10 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

1 Cor. 3:16 

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 

4 Both the Son and the Holy Spirit are referred to as equal with God

Philip. 2:6 

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 

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, 

LOOKS LIKE THE TRINITY “WALKS LIKE A CHICKEN” TOO

Now – can the doctrine of the trinity pass the final phase – I think so, but let’s see ….

C How Does The Scripture Refer To God?

1 The Very first mention of God in the Scripture is in the plural

Genesis 1:1 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

a “Elohiym” is the Hebrew word that we translate as God in Genesis 1:1. the ordinary sense of the words is “gods”

2 The Scripture speaks of God having a Son

Psalm 2:7 

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 

a What does a father give to his son? The son is of the same essence as the father.

b Puppies produce puppies, not kittens.

c The son of God is God.

3 God distinguishes Himself from Himself

Genesis 19:24 

Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens. 

4 God as the Angel of The Lord 

a The Angel of the Lord Equates Himself as God

Genesis 22:11 

But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 

Genesis 22:16 

and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 

b The Angel of the Lord is identified as God

Genesis 16:9 

Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." 

Genesis 16:13 

She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." 

5 All Three Members of the Trinity are equally associated with each other

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 Cor. 13:14 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

LOOKS LIKE THE TRINITY IS “CLUCKING LIKE A CHICKEN”

THEREFORE – IT MUST BE WHAT IT SAYS IT IS – EVEN IF THE SCRIPTURE DOES NOT GIVE WHAT THE TRINITY IS THE NAME TRINITY!

III THE ISSUE OF DISTINCTNESS

A The Members of the Trinity Are Distinct From Each Other

1 The Father and the Son are distinct from each other

John 3:16 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

John 5:32 

There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. 

John 5:37 

And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 

Galatians 4:4 

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 

2 The Father and the Son are distinct from the Holy 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. 

John 15:26 

"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 

3 The Holy Spirit is His own recognizable person

John 16:13-14 

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 

Acts 15:28 

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 

Luke 12:12 

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." 

Matthew 3:16-17 

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 

B Each Person of the trinity has a separate function, not a separate essence.

Matthew 28:19-20 

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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

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.

What does it all mean:

When are hearts are moved by the Word of God, or our spirit are convicted as a result of some action, it is not the result of some impersonal force, but the loving encouragement, presence, and closeness of God Himself.

The Holy Spirit is the person of God Himself working in our lives, and worthy of our attention, worship and obedience!