|
|
Getting Ready for Trinity Sunday - May 30
This week, many churches
around the world celebrate what is known as Trinity Sunday. Rather than
celebrating a specific event, this day rejoices in a core belief of the
Church - that God eternally exists as three distinct persons, yet
remains one. It is a mysterious and incomprehensible reality, yet there
is a simple and concrete truth contained in it. The fact that God is
three, yet one, means that from eternity past, God has loved Himself and
had fellowship within Himself. The Father has always known and loved
the Son, The Son has always known and loved the Spirit, and the Spirit
has always known and loved the Father. Forever. So, when God made us in
His image, I think that's what He meant when he said, "It is not good
for man to be alone." Because God's image is relational. God's character
is to be united with others. That's why Jesus prayed in the Gospel of
John, "...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me
and I am in You. (John 17:21)" We as the church are supposed to
reflect God's diversity, but also His unity. We can only do so by living
in the love of Christ Jesus. Jesus said all the Law and the Prophets
hang on the act of love. As we study the work of the Spirit in the early
church, let us search for the ways in which the love of God transcended
human obstacles in order to work His purposes.
SONGS:
Did You
Feel the Mountains Tremble (Martin Smith, 1994)- We sing of the power of our unity in
Christ in this song. All creation joins together to display God's glory
"when all the saints join in one song," the song of "Jesus Christ the
Risen One."
He
Reigns -(Peter Furler, Steve Taylor, 2003) This song also celebrates the diversity, and unity, of the
Church universal. We truly participate in the life of the Trinity when
we proclaim together, in every tribe, tongue, and nation, that He reigns
over all!
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers, Eric Wise, 1989) - This song
is a great song to sing about the Trinity. Each verse reflects on a
person of the Trinity (Son, Spirit, then Father) and their unique work.
Yet the chorus reads: "You are the One that we praise..." This is
the mystery of the Trinity, and the truth that we confess as
Christians.
We Are One in the Spirit (Peter Scholtes, 1966) - Finally, we
reflect on the witness of our unity in the world. The love that we
share as Christians, by the power of the Spirit, is not meant for our
personal satisfaction. Rather, Jesus says, "By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35 TNIV)."
Just as God's triune love was revealed to us, especially in the person
and work of Christ, we must love each other in a way that is public and
visible. Again, we desperately need the work of God's love in our hearts
to be able to show the world that same love.
We will close with the traditional hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy," which ends with a reinforcement of the focus of our worship: "God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity."
Let's
work together to declare the love of God the Father, through Jesus the
Son, in the power of the Spirit this week!
-Patrick
|
Getting Ready for Sunday by
This is where you will find posts about what to expect this coming Sunday morning at Long Green.
|