THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

 

Isaiah 40:12-17, 27-31; 2 Corinthians 13:11-14; Matthew 28:16-20

Introduction

This Sunday is the celebration of the Trinity. Trinity refers to the distinctive manifestation of God in three persons; God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Many people erroneously put it as "God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit"; this renders the Trinity as though 'three Gods' which is the basis of the confusion of people in other faiths, especially the Moslems.

All those who attempt to approach the Christian God in the comfort of human intellectual understanding have always failed. Isaiah draws on God's intelligence saying, "Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger, Who has put all the earth's dirt in one of his baskets, weighed each mountain and hill? Who could ever have told God what to do or taught him his business? What expert would he have gone to for advice, what school would he attend to learn justice? What god do you suppose might have taught him what he knows, showed him how things work?" Isa 40:12-14. Let us stop the quest to understand God with all the scientific empirical methodologies.

Indeed, it is only the Spirit of truth that is able to lead us to all truth (John 16:13). The Bible in its entirety, the Trinity demonstrates to us that each person of the Godhead participates in mutual, voluntary submission to one another to accomplish our redemption into God's original plan.

Trinity in Baptism

Baptism, this is the outward representation of consecration and the point of entry into the membership of the church. Jesus instructed that the initiation rites must bring to bear the Trinity, "Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  

All faith-based organizations or groups have their way of initiation or baptism. It is the authority of their faith that is mentioned to initiate the individual. Jesus positions the authority of the Christian faith into the unified hands of the Trinity at baptism.

Grace, Love & Fellowship

Apostle Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthian church by saying this prayer over the people to experience and enjoy the grace, love, and fellowship of the Trinity.

Over the years, I have been praying this prayer for my life, my family, my church, and everyone that I know. I believe it's the summary of God's plan and purpose for His children on earth.

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ"

One major problem in the Corinth church that Paul sought to deal with was 'pride'. Counting nothing of our own but by grace takes pride out of the conversation. Jesus' grace deletes any form of pride we may have since He humbled Himself, though He is God, He made Himself nothing (Philippians 2) in order to bring salvation to humanity.

The grace of Christ empowers the Christian to be like Him. Without His grace, we are nothing, poor in every way. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

With Christ's grace, aim for perfection in this life. This is by determination, focusing on that which Christ has already accomplished for us.

With Christ's grace, never give up or be discouraged in life, especially in your Christian faith. Since grace is available this time, don't remain in your guilt and shame, but shake them off and rise up to His perfect will. 

Reflect on your life and locate the space of pride and seek God's grace to erase it now. As you receive the grace and confess it, may you receive the all-sufficient grace right now to empower you in all things you do. It is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that paves the way for the love of God.

"The love of God"

God demonstrated His love for us by giving His Son, Jesus Christ. God's love manifest in Jesus Christ. Anyone who rejects the Son rejects the love of the Father. It is the love of God that welcomes us into salvation, and sustains all things. 

Precious one, we need the unceasing love of God in our daily lives. The dynamic love of God is ever-present. Our daily interaction with the Holy Spirit makes us openly receive the Father's love.

The Father's love builds us into one mind. He brings us into unity with regard to love and devotion above human understanding.

With the Father's love, we find peace. In the embrace of God's love, every problem in our lives is subdued granting us the divine peace we always sought for.

The Father has made His available to us through the grace of the Son. It is your willing choice to receive that grace and step into the Father's arms to receive His love.

"The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit."

Fellowship - koinonia, which Paul uses denotes intimacy, communion, shared life, joint participation, and cooperation. His prayer is that God's children would enjoy a deep and life-changing experience in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

The influence and presence of the Holy Spirit is dynamic, ever-present, and empowering the Christian to welcome others in fellowship at the expense of our difference and weakness.

My prayer for you and all Christians is that we shall enjoy a close intimate fellowship, communion, shared life, joint participation, and intimacy with the Holy Spirit. This will bring into fulfillment the Christ prayer for the Church, that they all may be one as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is one. 

With the Spirit's fellowship, we proactively demonstrate our desire for community worship as we find in Acts 2:42-47. Our hearts will always yearn to be with other brethren in earnest desire always.

Conclusion

Precious one, today and in the coming days, weeks, and months, I want to encourage you to pray this verse over your life, family, and sphere of influence. As you pray, personalize the words and allow the Trinity to strengthen and empower you with Their grace, love, and fellowship. Amen!

Shalom aleikhem...