koinonia

Sinclair Ferguson, whose quote appears below, wrote in an e-mail to Robert Letham about how the doctrine of the Trinity is the most practical of Christian doctrines for Jesus carefully taught His disciples about the mystery of the Trinity before He went to the cross. It is vital that we give as much attention to this doctrine as we can.

Link to audio

1. Introduction: Three basic points of the doctrine of the Trinity:

• There is one living and true God who is eternally and unchangeably indivisible.
• The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each fully and equally God.
• The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each distinct persons. The Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit, etc.

2. Proposition:  The most fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith is that there is One God in Three Persons.

3. Organizational Sentence: We will consider briefly two false understandings of this doctrine, and then some practical applications of this most important doctrine.

4. Outline:

I.          False Doctrines:

A. Modalism or Sabellianism

Modalism or Sabellianism teaches that there is only one God which is true, but that He reveals himself in different modes or forms. First God revealed himself in the mode of the Father. At the incarnation, God revealed himself as the Son. Last, God has revealed himself as the Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do not exist at the same time.

B. Tri-Theism

Tri-Theism is the false idea that there are three separate Gods. Some cults falsely accuse Christians of belieiving in 3 Gods. The cult of Mormonism is guilty of this belief.

II.         Practical Application

Sinclair Ferguson has written: “I’ve often reflected on the rather obvious thought that when his disciples were about to have the world collapse in on them, our Lord spent so much time in the Upper Room speaking to them about the mystery of the Trinity. If anything could underline the necessity of Trinitarianism for practical Christianity, that must surely be it! (Letham, The Holy Trinity, 375)

There are many applications that could be made. We will look at just three.

A. Love – Since God is Triune, love perfectly characterizes the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and how together the perfect will of God is worked out in creation and redemption.

B. Worship – In worship we worship one true God but in a Trinitarian way. We don’t always have to say Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when we speak of God, but our worship should reflect this great truth. In prayer we especially are to cry out to God the Father, praying in the name of Jesus Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit.

C. Equality and Calling – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are fully and equally God and yet the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work toward one goal in different ways. It was God the Son who took on human flesh. The Holy Spirit was sent by Father and Son. And this perfect equality but different callings becomes the proper basis for understanding marriage and the family. Husband and wife are equal and yet are called by God to play different roles. The Apostle Paul in speaking of marriage was not simply going along with the culture of his day but applying eternal truth.

Conclusion: I want to encourage you to study this important doctrine on your own. When you read Scripture, read it in light of this great truth that there is one God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The most fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith is that there is one God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sadly this important doctrine is often neglected. My challenge to students is that they consider the incredible pressure that they will face in believing that all the religions of the world basically can come together and find unity. This is nothing new, but we live in an age that deems those who will not go along with these ideas as being bigots, intolerant, and perhaps even terrorists. In order to stand against this pressure, it is essential that we know what we believe and why we believe it.

Click here to listen: http://tinyurl.com/ygj533p

Outline of my chapel talk:

1. Introduction: Reading from the Westminster Confession of Faith

3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.

2. Proposition: The most fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith is that there is One God in Three Persons.

Three basic points of the doctrine of the Trinity:

1. There is one living and true God who is eternally and unchangeably indivisible.
2. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each fully and equally God.
3. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each distinct persons. The Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit, etc.

3. Organizational Sentence: We will consider first the basic Scriptural evidence, second, false understandings of this doctrine, and third, practical applications of this most important doctrine.

4. Outline:

I. Basic Scriptural Evidence

• A. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
• B. Matthew 3:16-17
• C. Matthew 28:18-20
• D. John 1:1-3, 14
• E 1 Peter 1:1-2

Dear CLASS and CLA Families,

In a world saturated with news and information there is little need for more information or news. Technology has provided many blessings but it is powerless to provide what we most need. The purpose of this blog is to offer encouragement and further connection with Christian Liberty Academy. I will be using this site to post some of the talks that I give in the CLA chapel. I will also occasionally post thoughts and comments on other issues that I pray will be of encouragement to you.

For this blog, I have chosen the name ‘koinonia’ (koy-no-NEE-ah). This is the Greek word that is often translated as fellowship. We often think of fellowship as the time we spend with other Christians in conversation, for example sharing a donut before or after church or Sunday School. Some churches have fellowship meals on a regular basis. The word fellowship does, no doubt, include friendship and conversation. But the word has an even deeper sense of communion, sharing, and participation. God in His grace calls us to true koinonia with Him. God’s people together enjoy true koinonia in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper or Communion. And God’s people are to continue to enjoy koinonia for the advancement of the gospel.

We are thankful to God that you have chosen to partner with us in training your children to love and serve God. We pray for you and we also covet your prayers for us. May the Lord bless the koinonia that we enjoy with Him and with each other.

A recent article in a newspaper from Grand Rapids, Michigan illustrates how many Christian colleges have replaced the sure foundation of God’s Word with the fallible and changing word of man. The article focused on the upcoming celebration of the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species, and how colleges deal with Darwin’s theories. The newspaper interviewed professors at seven local colleges in the Grand Rapids area. Of the four ‘Christian’ college professors, only one of them stated that they don’t buy Darwin’s theory as far as molecules-to-man. The other professors stated that Darwin’s theory is central to their teaching of biology. One professor stated that God’s Word in Genesis cannot be viewed as a literal account of creation. Its purpose is simply to tell us what our place in the world is.

The article interviewed one student who is a graduate of CLA who has resisted the pressure and propaganda and false teaching he has received at the ‘Christian’ college he attends. Thankfully he has learned to make God’s Word his sure foundation.

Here is a link to the above mentioned article: http://tinyurl.com/ybjc53t

Here is a link to my chapel talk: http://tinyurl.com/y9tekw7

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) first deals with Scripture and then second deals with God the Trinity. This is not to make Scripture of more importance than God. But very wisely the writers of the confession realized that before we can speak of God we must know how it is that we can even know God. On the firm foundation of God’s Word we can then speak with confidence and assurance about the God who can be known and has revealed himself.

My first chapel address this year comes from 2 Timothy 3:10-17. Paul and Timothy had known each other for about 20 years by the time Paul wrote 2 Timothy. Timothy was not a novice and yet there were important things that Timothy still needed to learn. And so it is most interesting that Paul in giving encouragement to Timothy again reminds him of the sure foundation that is found in God’s Word.

It is this sure foundation that enables us to see in a darkened world. It is this sure foundation that enables us to overcome our own sin and temptation and deal with the trials that God sovereignly brings in our lives.

May your desire to know God through His Word be increased. May the Lord enable you to see all your studies from the perspective that His Word gives.

Outline of chapel talk:

I. The context is the all the suffering and challenges that Paul faced that Timothy will eventually face. (10-13)

A. Paul speaks of Timothy of being familiar with his teaching, conduct, goal in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, and sufferings.

Timothy had known Paul for almost 20 years by the time Paul wrote 2 Timothy. So Timothy was not a teenager, but a man probably in his middle to late 30’s or 40’s by this time. Timothy had already been involved in many aspects of Paul’s mission. But there were still lessons that Timothy needed to learn; he need to still grow in his service to the Lord.

Application: You are not in the same position obviously as Timothy but there is certainly in his life an example and encouragement for you.

B. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (12)

C. A growing polarization – evil people will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived

D. Application – 3 challenges you will face

1. Increased challenges to your faith from professors, false teachers, and the world in general.

2. Personal trials you may face.

3. The temptations of the world – money, fame, relationships, etc.

II. The Command: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of. (14-15)

A. Knowing from whom (plural – Timothy’s mother, grandmother, Paul and perhaps others) (14)

B. and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Application: This is the challenge that you will face as you continue your studies, begin your calling, and simply live in an increasingly apostate nation.

III. Concrete Foundation: The Inspired Word of God (16-17).

A. All Scripture is given by inspiration – literally it is God-breathed.

1. At least 3,000 times we read in Scripture, Thus saith the LORD.

2. Either Scripture is what it says that it is, or it is the biggest lie and piece of garbage.

B. Scripture is useful:

1. Teaching
2. Reproof (an expression of strong disapproval)
3. Correction (or improvement)
4. Training in righteousness

C. So that you as a man or woman of God [dedicated to God] may be capable and equipped for every good work.

Conclusion: Continue in what you have learned.

Rest in the solid foundation of the inspired and infallible Word of God.

Keep your focus on what Christ has done and continues to do for you.