YouTube: ‘O Praise The Name Lyric’ (Anástasis is the Greek word for resurrection))
Praise God from whom all blessing flow:
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above you heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
(Thomas Ken 1637-1710)
Spend a few moments praising God for the blessings of your home, your friends and family, your salvation.
Last Sunday churches around the world focussed on the person and work of God the Holy Spirit, and we read about how God poured out his Spirit on all believers at Pentecost. This Sunday many churches will focus on ‘The Trinity’ a phrase which is not found anywhere in the bible, but is shorthand for describing how God reveals himself to us in three ways. Throughout the bible we see God reveal himself to us as Father, Son and Spirit – The Trinity.
Often in the bible we read about God revealing himself in only one of these three ways, as either Father, Son or Spirit, but there are a number of occasions where we read about God revealing himself in two of these three ways at the same time, but there are only a few occasions where we read about all three expressions of God being present as the same time. One such occasion is Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3: 16-17) where the Spirit descends on Jesus ‘like a dove’ and a voice from heaven says “This is my Son…” – Son, Spirit, and Father.
If we return to a part of John’s gospel which we have considered a number of times recently, the chapters (13-17) where we are told about the teaching Jesus gave on the night on which he was betrayed. In part of that teaching Jesus clearly describing the inter-connectedness of Father, Son and Spirit - ‘One God’ revealed to us in three ways. Read: John 14: 8-17
I have often illustrated ‘One God revealed in three ways’ (The Trinity) by using the illustration of water which can be seen in three different ways - as liquid, ice and steam. Like any visual aid it has its limitations, in that it is very difficult to get these three expressions of water in the same place at the same time, but otherwise I think it is an excellent way of us grappling with the concept of how ‘One’ can be seen and experienced in three different ways.
In the Old Testament we read about David (fought Goliath and later became King of Israel), who knew God as Father and sometimes experienced God as Spirit. He wrote a poem where he describes the parental care of God the Father as being like that of a shepherd’s care for his lambs Listen on YouTube to ‘Psalm 23 Dereham Baptist Church’ As you listen notice the many different ways the poem says Father God cares for us.
In the New Testament we see God the Son, Jesus also identifying with David’s illustration of Father’s God loving and caring for us as a shepherd. Jesus uses it to help people understand his purpose in coming to earth be our Saviour.
Read John 10: 11-15.
Here as Jesus highlights the willingness of a ‘Good Shepherd’ to put the needs of the sheep before his own, and gives us a way of understanding his purpose in allowing himself to be crucified – laying down his life so that we can be saved.
For us to fully experience God the Father’s shepherd-like care (therefore I shall lack nothing) and know the benefit of the Good Shepherd, God the Son laying down his life for us, we need a Helper – a Counsellor, an advocate – God the Holy Spirit who will be with us for ever (John 14: 16).
We don’t need to get too tied-up about which part of The Trinity is doing what, and when – but we do need to recognise that through God being ‘three in one’ we have everything we need. The writer of the following lyrics, John Wimber gave them the title of ‘Spirit Song’, as you read the familiar words, perhaps you can turn them into a personal prayer - e.g. ‘O Son of God enfold me with your Spirit and your love – fill my heart…’
O let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love;
let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit, like a dove,
will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs;
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.
O come and sing this song with gladness, as your hearts are filled with joy; .
lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name.
O give Him all your tears and sadness, give Him all your years of pain,
and you'll enter into life in Jesus' name
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs;
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs
(John Wimber © 1979 Mercy Publishing / ThankYou Music)
Listen to YouTube: ‘Shepherd of my thankful heart lyrics’
If you are reading this on Sunday morning, you may want to join others at 11am who are remembering Jesus’ broken body and shed blood. If you haven’t got bread and wine in your kitchen, find something which you can use to be an emblem of Jesus’ body – a cracker, a biscuit etc. and a red coloured drink to use as an emblem of Jesus’ blood.
At 11am read out-loud Isaiah 53: 1-6, then thank Jesus for becoming your Saviour.
Before eating your ‘bread’ and drinking your ‘wine’ read out-loud Luke 22: 19-20
and then say out-loud the Lord’s Prayer.
Tomorrow, Monday I will be taking the funeral of Tina’s sister Wendy (Brian Austin’s friend). Perhaps at 11am you will be able to pause and pray for Tina, her sisters Kim & Leigh along with Gary, Sarah & Michelle and all those who will miss Wendy.
I will write again on Wednesday - Stephen