TRINITY SUNDAY
DATE: 7th June, 2020
THEME: GRACE, LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31
2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (14)
Matthew 28:16-20
Psalter: Psalm 8:1-9
INTRODUCTION
Today is TRINITY SUNDAY, but what exactly is the Trinity? The word comes from the Latin word “TRINITAS” which means “state of being threefold.”
Trinity is a word used to describe the UNITY of the GODHEAD as three CO-ETERNAL, CO-EQUAL PERSONS, each having the same, but distinct functions. The Bible teaches that one God eternally exists as three distinct persons – FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT. This is revealed in the Bible from the beginning to the end.
▪Gen. 1:1, “In the beginning, God…” – The Hebrew word translated “God” is Elohim – which has a plural suffix – it presents a singular God who is expressed as a plurality.
▪Gen. 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘LET US make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.”
There have been many attempts to develop illustrations to explain the Trinity, but all of them fail to adequately explain the Godhead.
▪Some have used the illustration of the EGG with its three parts – SHELL, WHITE and YOKE.
▪Others have used the illustration of the APPLE with its three parts – SKIN, FLESH and SEEDS.
▪The illustration of water is probably the best, with its three forms – LIQUID, VAPOUR and ICE.
But in the end, we realize that an infinite God cannot be fully described by a finite illustration.
CONTEXT
I’ve always been fascinated by what people chose to say when they know that there is not much room for ELABORATION or EXPLANATION, and they want to pack the greatest meaning into the fewest words.
I thought about these ‘GREAT SUMMATIONS’ as I prepared for this sermon on the BENEDICTION, the last word of our worship.
There are actually two parts to what is called the “BENEDICTION” in our order of service. First are the words beginning “Go forth into the world in peace”–which liturgists would call “the DISMISSAL” (farewell, take care!). The second part is more properly a “BLESSING” or a “grace.” It is the latter that we want to talk about today.
What do they mean? What does it mean when Paul, says “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you”
BODY
I. THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Grace is favor shown to someone who does not deserve it. Grace is God’s undeserved, unmerited favor, free gift of love for mankind.
The grace of God is what sustains us; it gives us purpose and allows us to be changed. Because of the sacrifice of the cross, we have grace that is only given by God.
In acrostic fashion we have been taught to define grace as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense … GRACE.
When it comes to grace, Jesus Christ is the part of the TRINITY who reveals to us God’s grace.
The PRINCIPLE of grace is fundamental to Christianity. Christianity cannot be understood apart from an adequate grasp of grace.
Grace is a part of the character of God. Grace is a description of the character of God, which is displayed by His gifts to men. God is a God of grace. Grace is epitomized on the cross of Calvary. Grace is not merely a part of the plan of redemption, but it is the silver cord that runs through every facet of the work of redemption.
II. THE LOVE OF GOD (THE FATHER)
God’s love is DEEP! And, God’s love has nothing to do with you! Others may love you because:
▪You’re cute, cuddly and adorable.
▪You’re rich.
▪You’re fun to be around.
But, not God! God loves you simply because:
▪He WANTS to love you …
▪He CHOSE to love you …
▪He DECIDED to love you.
God loves you because “God is love” (1 John 4:16). God IS love, and His love is UNCONDITIONAL, CONSTANT, and PERFECT.
You can’t influence God’s love, because God IS love.
Jesus didn’t go to the cross because of any love you had for Him … for any influence you placed on Him.
Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God loves you so much that nobody else’s opinion matters but His. You have never lived a DAY, a MINUTE, a SECOND, when God didn’t love you.
▪You may have hidden in SHAME from God, like Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden … but God still loves you.
▪You may have DESERTED Him like the disciples, when they fled when Jesus was arrested … but God still loves you.
▪You may have DENIED Him like Peter, when they asked him about his relationship with Jesus … but God still loves you.
You never leave His MIND, His THOUGHTS, or His SIGHT. He sees the worst in you, and loves you.
III. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit is meant to EMPOWER US for the most important job of our lives: sharing the good news of God’s love for us and Jesus’ grace toward us.
The Holy Spirit creates community among people. He CREATES CHURCHES.
As incomplete and unfinished as each one of us may feel in terms of our own faith development, as unsure as we may be about what we believe, there is something special that comes when we gather together.
The gracious gift of the Holy Spirit, is “FELLOWSHIP”–the fact that we are not alone, by joining together in worship and the joy we give to each other more than we could ever give alone.
Yhe last prayer and benediction is that we might have the GRACE that EMPOWERS community in which Christ is present.
The Holy Spirit is the characteristic of Fellowship in the TRINITY. Our fellowship with the Spirit is of utmost importance because He seeks partnership with us in life and ministry. His resources are unlimited, inexhaustible, and His power is invincible. He longs for our intimate fellowship with us. He longs to be admitted to the inner life of the soul.
Let us not neglect the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit in life and ministry.
APPICATION
It is touching that Paul ends his letter with these very familiar words of blessing. ▪To a community that has maybe lost touch with the free gift of life in Jesus, Paul sends GRACE.
▪To a group of folks who have been fighting, Paul commends LOVE.
▪To a fractured, fragmented association of individuals, Paul writes: FELLOWSHIP.
CONCLUSION
Precious One! Grace, love, and fellowship are the results of being in a relationship with God. God, the triune, exists in the fullness of three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each one embodies for us a certain characteristic. Jesus shows us the grace of God. The Father shows us love. The Holy Spirit draws us into fellowship. These three are one. And that one saves us.
Enjoy the Service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL YAW DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA, ACCRA
