Sermon -- Holy Trinity (May 31, 2026)

THE HOLY TRINITY IS AN ETERNAL MYSTERY.

MATTHEW 28:16-20

In the name + of Jesus.

     The Bible contains a number of hard teachings.  When people encounter them, they tend to want to make the hard teachings easier.  They rework the Biblical account to make it appealing to human reason.  So, for example, our Old Testament reading detailed the creation of the universe.  God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them in six 24-hour days.  You will not find that in any science text book.  So, how do you uphold the Bible and still say that you trust the science?

     The solution for many Christians is to interpret the first chapters of the Bible as a parable.  But here is the problem: Genesis is a historical account, and it is to be read as a historical account.  When Jesus told parables, he made it clear that it was a parable.  Many of Jesus’ parables begin, “The kingdom of God is like” and so forth.  It is clear that Jesus is making a comparison, and that is how we understand it.  We find no such literary device regarding the creation. 

     It is only when people do not believe God’s word that they argue it is to be understood as a parable.  They trust the science, but they do not trust the word of the Lord.  They read that God created the heavens and the earth in six days, but they follow up by insisting, “Well, that’s not what it means.”  That is unbelief.

     This evolutionary mindset continues with doctrine as well.  Many theologians argue that Christian doctrine developed over time.  They will say that the resurrection of the body was a later addition to the faith.  They will also claim that the doctrine of the Trinity was a later innovation.  For example, some contest, “Did Noah or Abraham think the Lord is a Triune God?  Look at the Bible and you will see they never said ‘Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’!”  That sounds persuasive.  But just because they did not use the phrase, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” does not mean they did not confess the Lord rightly. 

     Jesus gave us the most vivid revelation of God.  He regularly referred to God as his Father.  He also made it clear that he is the Son.  Jesus declared, “All should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him” (John 5:23).  If they are to share equal honor, then they are equally God—Father and Son.  Jesus also told his disciples, “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).  If the Holy Spirit is the source of truth, then he, too, is God.  That is why Jesus told us to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).  It is not in the names, as if there are three gods.  It is in the name, because God is one, just as Scripture says: “Hear, O Israel!  The LORD is our God.  The LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4)!  And yet this one God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

     This is a hard teaching.  In fact, it is an eternal mystery.  It did not develop over time.  God is unchanging.  Even if the revelation of God became clearer over time, God did not change who he is.  The Holy Trinity is an eternal mystery.  It is not a secret, however.  It cannot be a secret because you know what it is.  You know that God is one, just as we confess in the Nicene Creed: “We believe in one God.”  And God is three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  That is no secret.  God tells us that plainly about himself.  We, however, cannot understand it.  That is what makes it a mystery.  Every effort to logically explain this mystery ends up destroying the teaching—either resulting in three gods or melding the three persons into one.  Rather than try to make a hard teaching easier by changing it, we marvel at it. 

     The Holy Trinity is an eternal mystery.  But the world did not have to wait for the coming of Jesus to reveal it.  Since the Lord is eternal and unchanging, we find the same God on page 1 of our Bibles as we do in Jesus’ command to baptize.  This is what we hear at the foundation of the world: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was undeveloped and empty.  Darkness covered the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.  God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3).  First, there is the mention of God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  Then there is the Holy Spirit, hovering over the waters.  He is the Lord and giver of life, since the Holy Spirit plus water equals a new creation, just as he did in your baptism.  So, where is God the Son?  The Apostle John calls him the Word.  “In the beginning was the Word.  …Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made” (John 1:1,3).  So, when God the Father spoke, the Son was at work.  The Holy Trinity was there—as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

     The Holy Trinity is an eternal mystery.  Something else which is a mystery is how people who are without sin and in harmony with God’s will can rebel and choose what is evil.  That happened with Adam and Eve.  Satan had convinced them that taking what God had forbidden would produce happiness and freedom for them.  He sold it this way: “God knows that the day you eat from (the forbidden tree), your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). 

     To this day, this desire to be like God is the root of all sin.  We want our own way.  When God presents us with a hard teaching, we conclude that God is the one with the problem or that he did not really mean it.  We reject God’s word when it corrects or condemns us.  We pray, telling God to bend his will to our will.  When God tells us “No,” we look for someone who will tell us, “Yes!  Go and do it!  You’ll be happy you did!” 

     Not only is God’s word rejected, God himself gets re-created.  People have always crafted gods who are just like they are.  Canaanite gods promoted sexual promiscuity.  Guess why they were popular.  Going to the altars of Roman gods promised prosperity.  Guess why they were popular.  And anyone who is spiritual crafts a god who is just like he is.  Who wouldn’t love a god who agrees with you on everything?

     But a god who has to be created is a powerless god.  A god who you can disagree with and who will not uphold his own commands is a useless god.  That is why Adam and Eve did not take their stand against the Lord and say, “Look now, we are gods, too!  Respect us!”  Instead they hid in fear from the Lord, knowing that they deserved the death God had threatened.  If you do not recognize your own sin, you might look brave as you boast about your importance.  But in the end, death comes to all.  All will be judged by God because he is God and we are not.  No sinner will stand before him.  Repent.

     The Triune God is unchanging.  Mankind had changed because of sin, but God is still merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.  So, the Triune God promised to save sinners—from the very first sinners.  He promised to destroy the devil’s work.  That means he promised to take away the curse of sin.  The Lord had warned what sin meant: “You shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17).  But he promised to reverse death.  God’s work of salvation means, “You shall surely be delivered from death and live!”  So, you see, even the resurrection of the dead is not a doctrine that developed over time.  Our sin infected bodies will die, but the Lord himself assumed a body in order to rescue us completely from the effects of sin. 

     The eternal God entered our time as a mortal man.  This, too, is a great mystery that God became a man and yet remain unchanged.  We will confess that later in the Athanasian Creed, although we still will not be able to wrap our heads around it.  It remains an eternal mystery.  Just because it is a hard teaching does not make it untrue.  God became a flesh-and-blood man so that he could live in our place, perfectly obedient to God’s word.  He did not seize the world by force or consider equality with God as a thing to be grasped.  Rather, the Son of God lived in humility, perfectly dependent upon the goodness of his Father. 

     More than that, the Son of God willingly took from his Father the cup of wrath that was meant for the people of the world.  After all, we had earned it.  But out of love for mankind, the Father sent his Son to consume all divine wrath for us.  The Son willingly took the cup—first, out of love for his Father and then, out of love for mankind.  God the Son was slain on behalf of people who longed to be gods themselves.  Then he took up his life again to secure our own resurrection from the dead—a resurrection to life and light and glory and peace.  And to grant us the right to become children of God, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to convert us from rebels to righteousness. 

     This is why Jesus tells us to baptize people “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).  The Holy Trinity made you his very own through baptism.  He cleansed you of all sin and set you apart for a godly life both now and in eternity.  While we glorify God the Son for our saving work, the Holy Trinity fully invested himself in saving and restoring what was ruined by sin.  God the Father sent his only begotten Son to save us.  God the Son became a man to unite himself to us.  He consumed all of God’s wrath so that we are not consumed by it.  He rose from the dead to eliminate death.  He exalts our humanity so that we will be restored to the perfection God had intended.  He will restore the Paradise he had created.  God the Holy Spirit works in us to believe even the hard teachings, to teach us “to keep all the instructions [the Lord has given]” (Matthew 28:19), and “to will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

     The Holy Trinity is an eternal mystery.  It is a hard teaching; but just as I cannot tell you what you are like, so also God must tell us what he is like.  He reveals himself as one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  You and I will never be able to unravel this mystery.  In fact, I wonder, will the Holy Trinity remain a mystery even when we see him in the glories of heaven?  I don’t know.  But rather than try to unravel the mystery, we will simply marvel at it. 

     Our greatest comfort comes not from what we cannot understand, but from what we do: The Holy Trinity is on our side and serves for our good.  He is the God who saves, who loves his children, and who longs for us to dwell with him forever. 

     “May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The Holy Trinity and Bad Analogies from Lutheran Satire

We will confess the Athanasian Creed this Sunday since it is Holy Trinity Sunday.  

Here you can enjoy St. Patrick "explain" the Trinity to our favorite Irish Lutherans, Conall and Donall.  From Lutheran Satire.  Enjoy.

Worship Notes: The Athanasian Creed

            The Athanasian Creed is one of the three catholic creeds.  The word catholic means universal, as in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  The word creed comes from the Latin word credo which means “I believe.”  Luther said of this creed, “I doubt whether the New Testament church has a more important document since the Apostolic age.”

            Although named for Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria (ca. 296-373), it is almost certain that he did not write it.  Neither Athanasius nor his contemporaries ever refer to it.  But even if Athanasius did not write the creed, he certainly would have ascribed to it.  Athanasius was one of the bishops at the ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which opposed the heresy of Arius (ca. 250-336).  Arius denied the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching that he is of a similar substance to God the Father, but not of the same substance.  In essence, Arius claimed that Jesus Christ is not the eternal God.  This belief has resurfaced in modern-day cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  The Council of Nicaea adopted the Nicene Creed to affirm that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from True God” and “of one being with the Father.”

            The Athanasian Creed first appeared in Gaul (France) late in the 5^th century.  Early in that century, Europe was invaded from the east by barbarian tribes, notably the Vandals and Goths.  This event marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  During this time, the people and the clergy lapsed into illiteracy and ignorance of the Scriptures.  In addition, some of the invaders were Arian in their beliefs.  Out of this confusion came the need for a clear statement of faith.  The result was the Athanasian Creed.

            The Athanasian Creed quickly assumed an important role in the orthodox church.  (Much of the visible church was overrun with Arianism.)  Emperor Charlemagne (ca. 742-814), in order to preserve the true Christian faith, decreed that all churchmen had to learn this creed and to be able to teach it to the laity.

            The second portion of the Athanasian Creed reaffirms the Nicene Creed regarding the person of Jesus Christ.  However, it begins with a most excellent presentation on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It says no more and no less than Scriptures say, letting the paradox of God’s nature stand (i.e., God is one; God is three).

            Confessors of the creed should not be put off by the second to last article which says: “Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire” (cp also John 5:28,29).  The article does not teach salvation attained by human works, but simply reflects that our good works (or lack thereof) are evidence of God-given faith (or unbelief).  When we remember that our good works are actually God’s work through us, then we will understand this article correctly (cf Ephesians 2:8-10).  In addition, we remember that are judged based on Jesus’ merits, not our own.  We have been given the credit for Christ’s righteousness.  Therefore, we are heirs of eternal life.

            This creed ought to bring us great comfort, as it speaks clearly about our God and his plan for our salvation.  Its clearness and boldness are refreshing in this age of doctrinal confusion.  This is no wishy-washy confession.  It states what the Scriptures teach – there is no God but the Lord revealed in the Scriptures, and there is no salvation outside of the name of Jesus Christ.  All who deny this deny the truth; and all who deny the truth forfeit salvation.

            Finally, a study of this creed and the history which surrounds it shows how important it is for us to be familiar with the history of the Christian Church.  When we understand how Christians who have gone before us identified error and combated it, then we will better be able to do the same.

Lutheran Satire: St. Patrick's Bad Analogies

How could we come to St. Patrick's Day and not enjoy our favorite Lutheran Irish folk, Connall and Donnall?  St. Patrick teaches about the Trinity.

Worship Notes: The Athanasian Creed

Normally, the Athanasian Creed is reserved for Holy Trinity Sunday which is June 15 this year.  However, on June 15 we will celebrate the 1700^th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, and it seems appropriate that we would confess the Nicene Creed on that particular Sunday.  So that we do not overlook one of the three main creeds of the Church, we will confess the Athanasian Creed on the Festival of Pentecost (June 8).

The following is a history and an explanation of the Athanasian Creed.

The Athanasian Creed is one of the three catholic creeds.  The word catholic means universal, as in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  The word creed comes from the Latin word credo which means “I believe.”  Luther said of this creed, “I doubt whether the New Testament church has a more important document since the Apostolic age.”

Although named for Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria (ca. 296-373), it is almost certain that he did not write it.  Neither Athanasius nor his contemporaries ever refer to it.  But even if Athanasius did not write the creed, he certainly would have ascribed to it.  Athanasius was one of the bishops at the ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which opposed the heresy of Arius (ca. 250-336).  Arius denied the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching that he is of a similar substance to God the Father, but not of the same substance.  In essence, Arius claimed that Jesus Christ is not the eternal God.  This belief has resurfaced in modern-day cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  The Council of Nicaea adopted the Nicene Creed to affirm that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from True God” and “of one being with the Father.”

The Athanasian Creed first appeared in Gaul (France) late in the 5th century.  Early in that century, Europe was invaded from the east by barbarian tribes, notably the Vandals and Goths.  This event marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  During this time, the people and the clergy lapsed into illiteracy and ignorance of the Scriptures.  In addition, some of the invaders were Arian in their beliefs.  Out of this confusion came the need for a clear statement of faith.  The result was the Athanasian Creed.

The Athanasian Creed quickly assumed an important role in the orthodox church.  (Much of the visible church was overrun with Arianism.)  Emperor Charlemagne (ca. 742-814), in order to preserve the true Christian faith, decreed that all churchmen had to learn this creed and to be able to teach it to the laity.

The second portion of the Athanasian Creed reaffirms the Nicene Creed regarding the person of Jesus Christ.  However, it begins with a most excellent presentation on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It says no more and no less than Scriptures say, letting the paradox of God’s nature stand (i.e., God is one; God is three).

Confessors of the creed should not be put off by the second to last article which says: “Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire” (cp also John 5:28,29).  The article does not teach salvation attained by human works, but simply reflects that our good works (or lack thereof) are evidence of God-given faith (or unbelief).  When we remember that our good works are actually God’s work through us, then we will understand this article correctly (cf Ephesians 2:8-10).  In addition, we remember that are judged based on Jesus’ merits, not our own.  We have been given the credit for Christ’s righteousness.  Therefore, we are heirs of eternal life.

This creed ought to bring us great comfort, as it speaks clearly about our God and his plan for our salvation.  Its clearness and boldness are refreshing in this age of doctrinal confusion.  This is no wishy-washy confession.  It states what the Scriptures teach – there is no God but the Lord revealed in the Scriptures, and there is no salvation outside of the name of Jesus Christ.  All who deny this deny the truth; and all who deny the truth forfeit salvation.

Finally, a study of this creed and the history which surrounds it shows how important it is for us to be familiar with the history of the Christian Church.  When we understand how Christians who have gone before us identified error and combated it, then we will better be able to do the same.

Lutheran Satire -- St. Patrick's Day

It's that time once again when we celebrate the Christian missionary to Ireland, St. Patrick.  We also get to welcome back our favorite Irish farmers, Conall and Donall.  Enjoy!

YouTube -- Holy Trinity Sunday (May 26, 2024)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, May 26, 2024.  The guest preacher for the day was Rev. Jeremiah Wallander who is currently serving as a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw.

Lutheran Satire and the Holy Trinity

Once again, it is Holy Trinity Sunday.  Once again, our Irish friends Donall and Conall heed the words of St. Patrick regarding the Holy Trinity.  Enjoy.

Worship Notes: Athanasian Creed

               Sunday, May 26 will be Holy Trinity Sunday.  This is the one Sunday a year when we confess one of the lesser known ecumenical (that is, all Christians acknowledge this as a true confession of the Christian faith) creeds of the Christian Church.  Here is some background on the Athanasian Creed.

 THE ATHANASIAN CREED

             The Athanasian Creed is one of the three catholic creeds.  The word catholic means universal, as in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  The word creed comes from the Latin word credo which means “I believe.”  Luther said of this creed, “I doubt whether the New Testament church has a more important document since the Apostolic age.”

             Although named for Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria (ca. 296-373), it is almost certain that he did not write it.  Neither Athanasius nor his contemporaries ever refer to it.  But even if Athanasius did not write the creed, he certainly would have ascribed to it.  Athanasius was one of the bishops at the ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which opposed the heresy of Arius (ca. 250-336).  Arius denied the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching that he is of a similar substance to God the Father, but not of the same substance.  In essence, Arius claimed that Jesus Christ is not the eternal God.  This belief has resurfaced in modern-day cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  The Council of Nicaea adopted the Nicene Creed to affirm that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from True God” and “of one being with the Father.”

             The Athanasian Creed first appeared in Gaul (France) late in the 5^th century.  Early in that century, Europe was invaded from the east by barbarian tribes, notably the Vandals and Goths.  This event marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  During this time, the people and the clergy lapsed into illiteracy and ignorance of the Scriptures.  In addition, some of the invaders were Arian in their beliefs.  Out of this confusion came the need for a clear statement of faith.  The result was the Athanasian Creed.

             The Athanasian Creed quickly assumed an important role in the orthodox church.  (Much of the visible church was overrun with Arianism.)  Emperor Charlemagne (ca. 742-814), in order to preserve the true Christian faith, decreed that all churchmen had to learn this creed and to be able to teach it to the laity.

             The second portion of the Athanasian Creed reaffirms the Nicene Creed regarding the person of Jesus Christ.  However, it begins with a most excellent presentation on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It says no more and no less than Scriptures say, letting the paradox of God’s nature stand (i.e., God is one; God is three).

             Confessors of the creed should not be put off by the second to last article which says: “Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire” (cp also John 5:28,29).  The article does not teach salvation attained by human works, but simply reflects that our good works (or lack thereof) are evidence of God-given faith (or unbelief).  When we remember that our good works are actually God’s work through us, then we will understand this article correctly (cf Ephesians 2:8-10).  In addition, we remember that are judged based on Jesus’ merits, not our own.  We have been given the credit for Christ’s righteousness.  Therefore, we are heirs of eternal life.

             This creed ought to bring us great comfort, as it speaks clearly about our God and his plan for our salvation.  Its clearness and boldness are refreshing in this age of doctrinal confusion.  This is no wishy-washy confession.  It states what the Scriptures teach – there is no God but the Lord revealed in the Scriptures, and there is no salvation outside of the name of Jesus Christ.  All who deny this deny the truth; and all who deny the truth forfeit salvation.

             Finally, a study of this creed and the history which surrounds it shows how important it is for us to be familiar with the history of the Christian Church.  When we understand how Christians who have gone before us identified error and combated it, then we will better be able to do the same.

YouTube -- Holy Trinity (June 4, 2023)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, June 4, 2023.  The guest preacher is retired pastor, Rev. Mark Porinsky.

Worship Notes: The Athanasian Creed

            The Athanasian Creed is one of the three catholic creeds.  The word catholic means universal, as in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  The word creed comes from the Latin word credo which means “I believe.”  Luther said of this creed, “I doubt whether the New Testament church has a more important document since the Apostolic age.”

            Although named for Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria (ca. 296-373), it is almost certain that he did not write it.  Neither Athanasius nor his contemporaries ever refer to it.  But even if Athanasius did not write the creed, he certainly would have ascribed to it.  Athanasius was one of the bishops at the ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which opposed the heresy of Arius (ca. 250-336).  Arius denied the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching that he is of a similar substance to God the Father, but not of the same substance.  In essence, Arius claimed that Jesus Christ is not the eternal God.  This belief has resurfaced in modern-day cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  The Council of Nicaea adopted the Nicene Creed to affirm that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from True God” and “of one being with the Father.”

            The Athanasian Creed first appeared in Gaul (France) late in the 5^th century.  Early in that century, Europe was invaded from the east by barbarian tribes, notably the Vandals and Goths.  This event marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  During this time, the people and the clergy lapsed into illiteracy and ignorance of the Scriptures.  In addition, some of the invaders were Arian in their beliefs.  Out of this confusion came the need for a clear statement of faith.  The result was the Athanasian Creed.

            The Athanasian Creed quickly assumed an important role in the orthodox church.  (Much of the visible church was overrun with Arianism.)  Emperor Charlemagne (ca. 742-814), in order to preserve the true Christian faith, decreed that all churchmen had to learn this creed and to be able to teach it to the laity.

            The second portion of the Athanasian Creed reaffirms the Nicene Creed regarding the person of Jesus Christ.  However, it begins with a most excellent presentation on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It says no more and no less than Scriptures say, letting the paradox of God’s nature stand (i.e., God is one; God is three).

            Confessors of the creed should not be put off by the second to last article which says: “Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire” (cp also John 5:28,29).  The article does not teach salvation attained by human works, but simply reflects that our good works (or lack thereof) are evidence of God-given faith (or unbelief).  When we remember that our good works are actually God’s work through us, then we will understand this article correctly (cf Ephesians 2:8-10).  In addition, we remember that are judged based on Jesus’ merits, not our own.  We have been given the credit for Christ’s righteousness.  Therefore, we are heirs of eternal life.

            This creed ought to bring us great comfort, as it speaks clearly about our God and his plan for our salvation.  Its clearness and boldness are refreshing in this age of doctrinal confusion.  This is no wishy-washy confession.  It states what the Scriptures teach – there is no God but the Lord revealed in the Scriptures, and there is no salvation outside of the name of Jesus Christ.  All who deny this deny the truth; and all who deny the truth forfeit salvation.

St. Patrick's Day, Lutheran Satire style

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we revisit our Irish friends, Conall and Donall, who learn about the Holy Trinity for the first time from St. Patrick, missionary to the Irish.  Come on, Patrick!  Enjoy!

YouTube -- Holy Trinity Sunday (June 12, 2022)

Here is the service from Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Sermon -- Holy Trinity (June 12, 2022)

ROMANS 5:1-5

THE TRUINE GOD IS UNITED TO WORK RECONCILIATION, REDEPTION, AND RESOLVE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Every Sunday, we confess our faith in the Triune God.  Our Catechism divides the Apostles’ Creed into three articles which focus on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  We believe in one God, but that truth can be clouded when we break the Trinity up into three parts for the sake of study.  What also can be mistaught is the working of the Holy Trinity, as if each person of the Holy Trinity is responsible for a specific task and that no person of the Trinity infringes upon the work of the others.

     So, for example, we teach that the Father is the Creator, the Maker of heaven and earth, that the Son is the Redeemer, the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, and that the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier who calls us with the Gospel and sets us apart for the kingdom of God.  While these things are true, they are also incomplete. 

     Yes, God the Father is the Maker of heaven and earth.  But Genesis tells us that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).  Regarding God the Son, St. John wrote, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).  So, who created the heavens and the earth?  The Triune God.  In the same way, we assign the creation of faith to the Holy Spirit.  The Bible states, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).  Yet, Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me” (John 6:37), and he also said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  So, who is it who brings you into the kingdom of God?  It is the Triune God.  The Triune God is united to work reconciliation, redemption, and resolve.

     The Triune God is united in his purpose, in his commitment, and in his actions to save and to bless you.  The Triune God revealed himself to you because he wants you to know him as the source of everything good, especially of your eternal good and the goodness of his kingdom.  St. Paul spoke of the blessings we receive as the Triune God is united to work reconciliation, redemption, and resolve.  The first blessing St. Paul mentioned was peace.  “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). 

     You have been justified by faith; therefore, you have peace with God.  He is not angry or spiteful or vengeful.  Rather, he loves you, cares about you, and desires you to be his dearly beloved children.  The Triune God was united in achieving this.  God the Father so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.  God the Son became a man so that he could do the work that justifies you.  Jesus’ perfect obedience satisfies the demands of God’s Law.  Jesus’ vicarious death satisfies the justice of God’s Law.  Vicarious means that Jesus suffered and died as your substitute under God’s Law.  Therefore, your sins do not condemn you.  They have been taken away from you.  You are declared “Not guilty” for Jesus’ sake.  Jesus’ innocent death is the payment for all sins.  You get the benefit of that payment by faith in Jesus.  The Holy Spirit loves you so that he reveals this good news to you and works in you the faith to believe it. 

     Having been justified by faith, you have peace with the Triune God.  You have been reconciled to him which means that God proves himself to be the friend of sinners.  He does not resent you for what it cost him to redeem you.  And while you honor and fear him as God, you do not need to be terrified of him or be fearful of his judgment.  The Holy Spirit reveals to you the redeeming love of God the Son.  God the Son reveals that you have a good and merciful Father in heaven.  The Triune God is united to work for your reconciliation, redemption, and resolve.

     The next blessing St. Paul highlights is grace.  “Through (Jesus) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Romans 5:2).  The Triune God is most gracious to you.  He does not treat you as your sins deserve (which is mercy), and he gives you blessings that you don’t deserve (which is grace).  He hears your prayers and answers them as is best for you.  He assures you that your body will be raised up from the grave and will never again be corrupted, flawed, weakened or sickened.  He will deliver you a new heaven and a new earth which will never know violence, tyranny, or natural disasters.  In this world, you try to protect yourself from such evils and learn to cope with what you cannot avoid.  In the glorious kingdom to come, you will graciously be delivered from every evil, every burden, and every threat.

     This brings us to another blessing which the Triune God gives you.  St. Paul wrote, “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).  The hope that we have is for our eternal life in heavenly glory.  It is not a hope because it is in question, like, “I hope we have nice weather on our vacation.”  Perhaps a better word would be confidence.  We are confident of our place in the heavenly kingdom because it is promised by God, it was purchased by Jesus’ death, and it is guaranteed by his resurrection.  The only reason we call it a “hope” is because we have not received it yet.  But the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all at work to bring you to this heavenly home.  In this hope, we rejoice.

     St. Paul goes on: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).  It sounds strange that we would rejoice in our sufferings.  Sufferings are not fun, whether it is loss, or pain, or sorrow.  Some may rage against God because they believe God failed them or has it out for them.  We, however, can rejoice in spite of our sufferings.  That’s because we know that our Father in heaven is still our good and merciful Father in heaven even when we suffer harm.  We have peace because we have been reconciled to him.  We know that the Son of God remains our faithful Savior even when we are reduced to tears.  We remain under God’s grace because we have been redeemed by him.  We know that God the Holy Spirit will not abandon us no matter what we have lost in this world.  He works in us a resolve to be faithful and even grateful, not just in days of gladness, but also in days of pain and sorrow.  For, our Triune God is still on our side, still seeks our eternal good, and still upholds all his promises.

     We don’t always know why we suffer what we do.  We assume that there is nothing good in suffering because it is hard.  But we don’t always know what is good for us.  This is illustrated for us by Chesterton’s fence.  G. K. Chesterton was a Christian author about 100 years ago.  He wrote about people who saw a fence and said, “We have to tear down this fence so that we can find out what is on the other side of it.”  Another countered, “Someone built this fence for a reason.  We should not tear down this fence precisely because we don’t know what is on the other side of it.”  So, who was right?  What was the good thing to do?  We don’t know because we don’t know all the facts or the consequences of acting one way or the other. 

     We don’t always know what is good for us; we only know what feels good and what does not.  But if we must endure suffering, “suffering produces endurance” (Romans 5:3).  Our Triune God is united to work in us resolve to trust that God knows our situation and knows best what we need in every situation.  We know that our Triune God is always good and is always devoted to our eternal good.  We may never know why we have to learn endurance by suffering, but we know that the mercy of our God endures no matter what we go through.  He works in us the resolve to endure faithfully.

     “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character” (Romans 5:3).  When we learn patient endurance, we develop a more Christ-like character.  Our Lord is training us like soldiers who prepare for battle.  They go through drills as a sergeant barks out orders and demands diligent performance.  The soldiers learn to perform their duties under duress.  The sergeant will also fire live rounds of ammunition over the soldiers’ heads.  While this is frightening, it is for the soldiers’ good.  The heat of battle should not be the first time they have to perform their duty under fire.  The soldiers’ training allows them to complete their assigned tasks despite the heat of battle.

     The Triune God also trains you through suffering and endurance to grow in the nature of a Christian.  You do not have to resort to panic or anger or despair when difficult days come.  You call upon God as you have learned to do.  You refrain from sin when turning to sin is expected and rewarded.  You are willing to suffer for doing good, just as Jesus did.  You trust his word, knowing that God’s word will not pass away when this world and all its glory does.  You get to benefit from fellow Christians whose concern for you increases when your burden does.  The Triune God is united to work in you a resolve to be faithful even to the point of death; for, you know that the crown of life awaits.

     This is the Christian hope, “and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).  The hope we have is summed up at the end of the Nicene Creed: “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”  This hope will not disappoint you.  Everything else you put your hope in may disappoint you.  We hope for a world without violence.  We hope for more satisfaction in our jobs.  We hope that friends will not fail us.  We hope that food, utilities, and gas will become cheaper.  These things would be nice, but we have no guarantee on any of them.

     But the blessings from our Triune God are certain.  The Triune God has even put his name upon you to assure you that you are his and receive his benefits.  You are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  If you bear God’s name, then you know that the Father is pleased to call you his dearly loved children.  You know that the Son has taken away your sin and covered you in his innocence.  You know that the Holy Spirit dwells in you to guide you, comfort you, and strengthen you.

     The nature of the Triune God will always be a mystery to us, but his love is not.  The Trinity is in unity to work for your good—reconciling you to himself, redeeming you for time and eternity, and working in you the resolve to be faithful in all things.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Worship Notes: The Athanasian Creed

Sunday, June 12 will be Holy Trinity Sunday.  We ponder the mystery of one God who is three distinct persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  It is not a secret; we know what it is.  It is, however, a mystery; we cannot unravel it.  All attempts to explain the Trinity have resulted in heresies which alter the nature of God.  You can see how that happens in this video from Lutheran Satire.

On Holy Trinity Sunday, we will not attempt to unravel the mystery of the Trinity.  We will, however, confess it.  The best and fullest confession of the Holy Trinity is in the Athanasian Creed which takes great pains to confess what the Trinity is and what it is not.  Some historical background on the Athanasian Creed follows:

            The Athanasian Creed is the third of the first three catholic, or universal, creeds.  The word ‘catholic’ means universal, referring to the Holy Christian Church (i.e., all believers).  The word ‘creed’ comes from the Latin word credo which means “I believe.”  Luther said of this creed, “I doubt whether the New Testament church has a more important document since the Apostolic age.”  The creed is sometimes known as “Quicunque” since that is the opening word in the Latin version (“Whosoever....”).

            Although named for Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria (296-373), it is almost certain that he did not write it.  Athanasius was Greek; the creed was written in Latin.  Neither Athanasius nor his followers ever refer to it.  But even if Athanasius did not write the creed, he certainly would have ascribed to it.  Athanasius was the moving force at the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which adopted the Nicene Creed (Christian Worship, p 31), opposing the heresy of Arius (c. 250-336).  Arius denied the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching that he was only a man--perhaps a special servant of God, but not the eternal God.  This belief has been resurrected by many modern day cults, notably the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  The Athanasian Creed deals with the person of Christ; however, it begins with the most excellent presentation over given of the doctrine of the Trinity.  It is excellent in that it says no more than Scripture says, letting the paradox of God’s nature stand (i.e., God is one; God is three).

            The creed first appeared in Gaul (France) late in the 5^th century.  Early in that century, Europe was invaded from the east by barbarian tribes, notably the Vandals and Goths.  This event marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  During this time, the people and the clergy lapsed into illiteracy and ignorance of the Scriptures.  In addition, some of the invaders were Arian in their beliefs (cf above).  Out of this confusion came the need for a clear statement of faith.  The result — the Athanasian Creed.

            The creed quickly assumed an important role in the orthodox church which remained as a remnant.  (For most of the visible church was overrun with Arianism.)  Later, the emperor Charlemagne (c. 742-814) decreed that all churchmen had to learn the creed and be able to teach it to the laity.

            The creed deals with two doctrines: The Trinity and the person and work of Christ.  The creed says all that the Bible says on these vital subjects without going beyond biblical revelation.  It allows the mysteries which we find in the person and nature of God to stand. 

            Confessors of the creed should not be put off by the second to last article which says: “Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire.”  The article does not teach salvation attained by human works, but simply reflects the scriptural doctrine that our good works (or lack thereof) are evidences of God-given faith (or unbelief).  When we remember that even our good works are gifts of God’s grace, then we will understand this article correctly (cf Ephesians 2:8-10).  In addition, we remember that we have been given the credit for Christ’s righteousness.  Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s law has become ours (Galatians 3:26,27).  Through Christ, we have done all the good God demands.  Therefore, we are heirs of eternal life!

            This creed ought to bring us great comfort, for it speaks so clearly about our God and his plan for our salvation.  Its clearness and boldness are refreshing in this age of doctrinal confusion.  Finally, a study of this creed and the history which surrounds it shows how important it is for us to be familiar with the history of the church.  When we understand how Christians who have gone before us identified error and combated it, then we will better be able to do the same!

St. Patrick's Day with Lutheran Satire

In recognition of St. Patrick's Day, here are two segments from Lutheran Satire.  One tells the story of St. Patrick who, by the way, was not Irish!  He was a missionary to the Irish after having been enslaved there.  The second video is St. Patrick teaching the doctrine of the Trinity to Donall and Conall, two unschooled, unlearned Irishmen.  It is pure gold.  Enjoy!

YouTube -- Holy Trinity (May 30, 2021)

Here is the service from May 30, 2021.

Sermon -- Holy Trinity (May 30, 2021)

ROMANS 8:14-17

YOU BELONG TO A DIVINE FAMILY.

 In the name + of Jesus.

      At your baptism, God put his name on you with the words, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  But over the years, I have heard that name altered with invocations such as this: “In the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.”  Now I suppose you could defend that by saying this is what God does.  And that would be true, but that is not who God is.  It would be like introducing your family, saying, “This is the construction worker.  She makes meals.  And this one is in college.”  That might be true, but it dismisses the relationship you have with them.

     God has told us who he is.  He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  And yet, he is one God.  All the efforts to explain how this works end up making a false confession about God.  We simply take God at his word.  The Trinity is a mystery that we won’t ever unravel.  We do not get to alter God to our own understanding or liking. 

     God reveals himself to us in terms of a family.  The Father is the source of life.  Granted, mothers give birth, but fathers produce offspring.  A father gives his name to his children, protects, disciplines, and provides for them.  It does not always work out that way in a sinful world, but that is God’s design.  God the Father has a Son, begotten from eternity.  That does not mean God the Son has a birth date, as if he did not exist at one point.  God the Son was begotten in eternity.  In eternity, there is no time, calendar, or clock.  In regard to the begetting of the Son, the point is not when, but what.  The relationship is expressed.  There is God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit—all eternal, all divine, all equal in glory, power, and majesty, all united in will and purpose.

     Now, the Lord does not reveal these things just to satisfy your curiosity.  He reveals these things for your blessing.  God tells you these things so that you can belong to his divine family.  St. Paul reminds you, “you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons” (Romans 8:15).  If you have been adopted as sons, that means you and I are not natural-born members of God’s family. 

     You and I had a different father.  This is evident by the fact that we do not naturally do what God tells us to do.  The Bible teaches us, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  …By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:8,10).  God’s Law tells us what is righteous.  We often agree with it when we apply that Law to other people.  But when we apply that Law to ourselves, there are always reasons why, for us, it is different.  God says we should not lie, but we think covering up evil is a greater good than the truth.  God says that a man and woman sharing a bed is to be reserved for marriage, but as long as we say we love each other, our feelings are enough to overrule God’s word.  We are outraged when other people are rude or insulting.  But when we are, it is okay because someone deserved it.  We exonerate ourselves by declaring, “Well, in my case, it’s different.”  But the only thing different about it is that it is you.  We are fools to think this actually works, but the sinful heart is good at buying lies.

     This is why we have a spirit that makes us a slave to fear.  Guilt produces terror.  Mental gymnastics to bend around God’s Law don’t change that.  God’s Law is good, but we cannot keep it, so we become angry and fearful.  We are enslaved to the fear of death, of judgment, and of God.  This is not the life God the Father planned for us to have.

     Therefore, God acted to bring you into his divine family.  In baptism, he drove out the unclean, sinful spirit which is enslaved to fear and death.  He gave you his Holy Spirit who gives you peace and life.  Now, you belong to a divine family, as St. Paul says: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:14-15)! 

     You belong to a divine family.  The Holy Spirit has shown you that God the Father is not a vindictive, spiteful deity.  He does not want to destroy what he has made.  At the same time, he cannot dismiss the sin that infects us.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit has revealed to you what God the Father has done for you.  You know the verse well.  “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

     God the Father does not want to lose you to sin and hell.  He chose to free you from sin, fear, and death.  So, God the Father gave his only begotten Son for you.  God the Son was given into the world as a man.  Then God the Son gave himself to death in exchange for you.  In exchange for your sin, he gave his innocence.  In exchange for your death, he gave his life.  In order to secure your place in God’s family, he was forsaken by the Father.  In order for you to be acquitted, Jesus was found guilty of all sin.  Therefore, you will not perish, but have eternal life.  So, fear not; God’s pardon and peace are yours. 

     Now you belong to a divine family.  “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:14-15)!  You know that you are led by the Spirit of God because you believe his words and promises.  You know that you have been adopted as sons of God because God did this to you in your baptism.  Adopted children don’t choose their parents; the parents bring the children into their family.  If you are sons of God, you share the status with the only begotten Son of God.  So, God the Father has made you full-fledged members of his divine family.  This is why you get to call on God in terms of endearment, “Abba!  Father!”  The Triune God is not some distant, disinterested deity.  He is your dear Father in heaven.  The Son is your beloved brother.  The Holy Spirit dwells within you to preserve you in God’s good care.  You belong to a divine family.

     You can hear these words, and you confess them.  You can even boldly proclaim them with new hymn that is worthy of becoming a favorite: “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say it; I am baptized into Christ.”  It confesses what we are, and it confesses why that is true.  But it doesn’t often look like it.  It usually doesn’t feel like it.  We are all too familiar with our failures and weaknesses.  We wonder, “How can I consider myself a child of God when the deeds I do are done poorly or begrudgingly?”

     St. Paul gives a surprising answer to those questions: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).  The Holy Spirit testifies that you are a child of God based on divine promises.  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that a godly life is good and right.  The Spirit himself works with our spirit to put off sin and to will and to do what is right.  And the Spirit continually bears witness to the only place frightful sinners have hope—in God the Son who takes away the sins of the world.  He points us to God the Father who is our Abba, our dear Father who is endeared to us.  Your place in the divine family is not teetering on the brink of losing it at any moment.  The Triune God assures you that your place is secure, even if you struggle or stumble.  For, the Triune God has been pleased to pay a great price to adopt you into his family.  You belong to the divine family.

     “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:16-17).  Since you are sons of God, you are heirs of God’s kingdom.  For an inheritance to be given, someone has to die—which is what Jesus did for you.  But Jesus is risen.  He lives and reigns over his kingdom.  Since you are united to him, you will be raised from the dead to live and reign with him as heirs of heavenly glory.

     You belong to a divine family.  This means you have also been set apart from this world.  The world is still enslaved to sinful, selfish ways.  The world hates God’s word and denies that God actually has anything worth applying to their lives.  You are free from that, and it will show in your life, in your speech, and in your attitude.  The Spirit works with your spirit to delight in God’s word and to live according to it.

     You will not be the only one who notices that you are different.  Many in our world will notice it too, and you may feel their hatred for it.  Jesus was despised, and those who are his brothers and sisters will be too—to what extent varies in time and place.  Some live in a very real danger of their lives.  Others are simply mocked for taking God and his word seriously.  You will suffer to some extent as Jesus did.  There will always be enmity between the offspring of God and of the devil.  But fear not.  You have a divine family who holds you dear and will not let you perish.  If you share in his sufferings, you will also share in his glory.  Glory awaits.

     The Lord God has made himself known to you.  He is not just a father; he is your heavenly Father who has given you life, who provides, protects, and disciplines you.  No matter what you might endure, he remains your good and merciful Father in heaven.  He is God the Son who has become your brother in the flesh.  He laid down his life so that yours would be redeemed.  He makes you heirs with him of the resurrection to life and glory everlasting.  No matter what you might endure, he remains your Savior.  He is God the Holy Spirit who reveals God’s word and wisdom and will.  He dwells within you so that—no matter what you might endure—you are the Lord’s now and forever.  He remains the Lord and Giver of Life.

     The Triune God has made you his own.  He is not a nebulous God, and he does not give nebulous blessings.  He has given you the family name and entrusted you with the riches of his kingdom.  Cherish your place in his family, as well as your fellow brothers and sisters.  For, we are all beloved of the Lord and heirs of unending glory.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.