Trinity Sunday
Bible reading: Matthew 3:13-17Preacher: Dr Lisa McDonaldSermon video is available here: https://vimeo.com/event/499176#t=725s
1. Start by sharing from your heart- what is something beautiful you have experienced about the nature of God?
2. God always was and always will be three Persons. There was never a time when one of the Persons of the Godhead did not exist. All are God, all are equal. They are of one substance and are eternal. The Father, Son and Spirit are in relationship with one another. They are a community! A model for human community where members are irreducible in their diversity, are a family, a communion. Together they are dynamic, intimate, there is a flow and a love between them as they communicate with each other and the world, inviting each one of us to participate in accomplishing the mission.
Here are scriptures which illustrate this beautifully, especially the third one- the occasion of Jesus’ baptism. Read these together and discuss what they reveal to you about God’s full nature…
- (John 17:20-21) I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
- (1 Peter 1-2) To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
- (Matthew 3:13-17) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented. 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 alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
3. The Incarnation of Jesus was the quintessential move of the Father, Son and Spirit in their plan of salvation. God come to Earth fully divine and fully human. Our human, embodied experience matters. With the Spirit working through us- what happens in our physical form, in our day to day lives, in our actions has a role in accomplishing the kingdom of God on Earth. The divine mystery is encountered in the concrete experiences of human history. As the prayer goes…. Christ has no body on Earth but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours…..
So, how attuned are we to ‘trinitarian traces’ in our personal lives, communities and through the church? Can you give some examples? Here are a few to get you started …
- Healthcare staff caring for broken bodies, tired because of the double shifts they have worked but devoted to tending to people who are sick, alone, dying, hurt. They are no just doing what Jesus would do- they ARE the face of Christ in that scene.
- The support and accompaniment Christians are prompted by the Spirit to offer one another when there has been the death of a beloved person, or that which is extended sometimes upon strangers when there is a tragedy that touches our lives. Revealing the love of the Father.
- Communities where people are attuned to and use the spiritual gifts: inspired by Jesus’ ministry they pray for one another for healing, words are given in encouragement which lift up each other’s hearts, teaching and exhortation gives glory to the Father… there is laughter, celebration, dancing in those joyous moments that catch each one of us unaware but which will be remembered in our last days and eulogised upon our death.
4. What do you think and believe about the Trinity? How has your view changed over time?
5. For those who enjoy visual stimuli, here is a short clip of a staring murmuration, just one possibility which might speak to us about the nature of God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnndQgIUraQ
1. Start by sharing from your heart- what is something beautiful you have experienced about the nature of God?
2. God always was and always will be three Persons. There was never a time when one of the Persons of the Godhead did not exist. All are God, all are equal. They are of one substance and are eternal. The Father, Son and Spirit are in relationship with one another. They are a community! A model for human community where members are irreducible in their diversity, are a family, a communion. Together they are dynamic, intimate, there is a flow and a love between them as they communicate with each other and the world, inviting each one of us to participate in accomplishing the mission.
Here are scriptures which illustrate this beautifully, especially the third one- the occasion of Jesus’ baptism. Read these together and discuss what they reveal to you about God’s full nature…
- (John 17:20-21) I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
- (1 Peter 1-2) To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
- (Matthew 3:13-17) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented. 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 alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
3. The Incarnation of Jesus was the quintessential move of the Father, Son and Spirit in their plan of salvation. God come to Earth fully divine and fully human. Our human, embodied experience matters. With the Spirit working through us- what happens in our physical form, in our day to day lives, in our actions has a role in accomplishing the kingdom of God on Earth. The divine mystery is encountered in the concrete experiences of human history. As the prayer goes…. Christ has no body on Earth but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours…..
So, how attuned are we to ‘trinitarian traces’ in our personal lives, communities and through the church? Can you give some examples? Here are a few to get you started …
- Healthcare staff caring for broken bodies, tired because of the double shifts they have worked but devoted to tending to people who are sick, alone, dying, hurt. They are no just doing what Jesus would do- they ARE the face of Christ in that scene.
- The support and accompaniment Christians are prompted by the Spirit to offer one another when there has been the death of a beloved person, or that which is extended sometimes upon strangers when there is a tragedy that touches our lives. Revealing the love of the Father.
- Communities where people are attuned to and use the spiritual gifts: inspired by Jesus’ ministry they pray for one another for healing, words are given in encouragement which lift up each other’s hearts, teaching and exhortation gives glory to the Father… there is laughter, celebration, dancing in those joyous moments that catch each one of us unaware but which will be remembered in our last days and eulogised upon our death.
4. What do you think and believe about the Trinity? How has your view changed over time?
5. For those who enjoy visual stimuli, here is a short clip of a staring murmuration, just one possibility which might speak to us about the nature of God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnndQgIUraQ
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