Restoration: The Trinity for Today

Restoration: The Trinity for Today
Genesis 1:26-31
Page # 1

A. W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous or inadequate. If we would bring back spiritual power to our lives, we must begin to think of God more nearly as He is.”

James R. White: “Much of the modern church are functionally ‘non-Trinitarian.’ I did not say ‘anti-Trinitarian,’ …..it is just that many today function as if the Trinity did not exist. It has no impact on our theology, proclamation, prayer, or worship.”

How often does someone declare that our worship is not Trinitarian enough?

I. The Trinity is the one true God who eternally exists as three distinct persons, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are each fully and equally God.  

     1. There is only one God.

Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

     2. The Father is God, The Son is God, The Holy Spirit is God.

1 Corinthians 8:6 – “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him…”

John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.’”

2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

     3. The Father, Son, and Spirit are of one essence, and yet
         distinct.

Prophet Joseph Smith on June 16, 1844:
     “Many men say there is one God: the Father, the Son, and the
      Holy Ghost are only one God… I say that is a strange God… All
      are to be crammed into one God… It would make the biggest
      God in all the world. He would be…a giant or a
      monster.” (Teachings, p. 372).

The Watchtower Magazine:  
     “The idea of one God consisting in three persons cannot be
      explained by human reason …the doctrine of the Trinity is
      confusing, contrary to normal reason, unlike anything in
      [human] experience.”

1 Timothy 4:1 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”

II. The Trinity and God’s Image.

~ Resemble and represent.

     1. Knowing God as Father.

James 1:17-18 -  “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no changing…. He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”

     2. Knowing Jesus as Redeemer.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20   “….you are not your own….For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

     3. Knowing the Holy Spirit as the Indwelling Presence in my
         life.

John 14:16-17 – “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

2 Corinthians 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.”

Faith Sheet

Transformation Verse (April) – Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even when he dies.”                       John 11:25   

Main Themes:  
~ The Trinity is the one true God who eternally exists as three distinct persons, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are each fully and equally God.   

~ Knowing the Triune God will eternally impact our worship, daily lives, and relationships.

 #1- Reviewing This Past Sunday   
Restoration: The Trinity for Today, Part 1  
Genesis 1:26-31

1. Read Genesis 1:26-31. Discuss Sunday’s message with
    someone.
2. A. W. Tozer said, “It is impossible to keep our moral practices
    sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is
    erroneous or inadequate. If we would bring back spiritual power
    to our lives, we must begin to think of God more nearly as He
    is.” Is this statement true, and how so?
3. James R. White said, “Much of the modern church are
    functionally non-Trinitarian. I did not say anti-Trinitarian… it is
    just that many today function as if the Trinity did not exist. It
    has no impact on our theology, proclamation, prayer, or
    worship.”How does the Trinity lead you to daily pray, make
    decisions, and share the Gospel story?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 13:14. What do you most appreciate about
    God from this passage? Use this benediction as a prayer.

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Restoration: The Trinity for Today, Part 2
Matthew 3: 13-17

1. Read Matthew 3: 13-17. What do you notice about the Trinity?
2. Read Matthew 22:41-44. Jesus taught that God is Trinitarian.
    He challenged the religious leaders of His day to understand
    God in His true nature. Why is theology (the study and
    understanding of God) so important to our daily living?
3. Read Ephesians 1:1-14. In what specific ways are each of the
    members of the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Spirit)
    involved in salvation? Praise Him!