Have you heard this story before? A father and a son, David and Jason, were asked by their neighbor, Bryan, if they would help him clear out some trees on his property. The father and son said they would be glad to help. Bryan asked the father, “Do you have a chainsaw we could use?” The answer was no. “That is okay, I can borrow one.”
As the three drove to the neighbor’s property, he dropped them off with the borrowed chainsaw and said, “I just remembered I forgot to fill the water cooler with ice and water, I will be right back. You can get started by cutting down that one tree right there.” When Bryan came back with the water, he could not understand why the first tree had not been put down. “Did you have problems with the chainsaw?”
“Jason and I are glad you are back with the water, because we worked up a thirst trying to saw down that tree,” said David. “We stopped trying because the saw would not cut.” Bryan examined the chainsaw. The chain was in place. The saw was full of fuel. Everything looked in order. Then he pulled the cord and it started right up with a loud roar.
Jason’s eyes drew big as he said to his Dad, “What’s that noise?”
Explaining the doctrine of the Trinity may be as puzzling as operating a chainsaw for the very first time. The lesson this week is about the central Christian doctrine that God is Trinity—one God existing eternally in three Persons.
How do we know God is one in three? (Matthew 3:16-17)
When John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, it was a very significant day for the world. The day was a testimony of Scripture being fulfilled, and the Trinity clearly was present.
Jesus had to be baptized by John “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). By Jesus asking John to baptize him, he was doing the will of God.
As Jesus was raised from the water, a miraculous event occurred: “At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him” (Matthew 3:16). The Holy Spirit came to anoint and empower him for his messianic ministry.
Then God the Father spoke his approval, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). These words are very significant.
God spoke to his Son in words of Scripture. The statement by God comes from two quotations from the Old Testament, Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. God the Father is proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah King who comes not as a conquering military hero but the obedient servant of the Lord.
The scene at the Jordan River provides for us away to see God in three Persons and yet as One. Jesus, the Son, was ordained and equipped for his messianic ministry. The Holy Spirit came down upon him. And God the Father spoke his approval. The Trinity is clearly present in this biblical truth.
How can we better understand God’s mysterious nature? (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
Have you ever had the privilege of sitting under an outstanding Bible teacher? How did they gain such wonderful Christian wisdom? The only way mankind can understand the truths of the Bible and God’s mysterious nature is by divine revelation, not human discovery. Nonbelievers cannot grasp the truth that the Sprit of God indwells all believers.
Christian wisdom is obtainable because “God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
If a dynamic, charismatic teacher tells you they have discovered all the truths the Bible has to offer, you need to run. No one can fully comprehend God but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit believers are given insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts and actions.
The Holy Spirit enables believers to understand spiritual truths. Paul’s words and all the other words found in the Bible are authoritative because their source is the Holy Spirit.
Paul expresses that he is not writing his own words in his letter to the Corinthians but words inspired by the Holy Spirit: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
We must ask the Holy Spirit to give guidance in learning spiritual truths. The next time you open your Bible to read, pray first. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a fresh new word from God.
Why is the concept of God as Trinity important? (Ephesians 1:3-14)
When Paul wrote his letter to the believers in Ephesus he had been a Christian for over 30 years. He wrote Ephesians while under house arrest in Rome. Paul begins his letter by writing, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Paul emphasizes that all believers benefit from knowing God through Christ. All believers have been chosen for salvation, adopted as God’s children, been forgiven, and given insight to spiritual truths. Spiritual gifts have been given to them, they have been equipped with power to do God’s will, and have the hope of living forever with Christ.
All blessings from God come through the Trinity. By faith, we see how each Person of the Trinity is involved in our salvation and our walk with the Lord here on earth.
Ephesians 1:3-14 gives an account of how God planned for our salvation in Christ even before creation (vv. 4-6), our salvation is achieved by Jesus on the cross (vv. 7-12), and the Holy Spirit seals and guarantees our salvation until its completion in heaven (vv. 13-14).
It is okay if believers are unable to fully and comprehend the Trinity. The concept of the Trinity is a mystery. By faith and guidance from all three persons of the Trinity we can understand many truths about the one true God.
As believers learn more about Gods nature each day, as we worship him in spirit and in truth, our response is nothing but praise and love toward God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
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