by Rev. Barry Gritters
Lord's Day 8 (Read: I John 5)
June
21, 2003 PM
A. LD 8, with the trinity, begins the HC's explanation of the
Apostle's Creed. See also Nicene, Athanasian
B. To know the trinity is to know God—the most important
business of the Christian.
"JEHOVAH, OUR TRIUNE GOD"
I. The Triune God
A. Who is God? What is God like? What does Scripture teach us about Jehovah?
1. God is three in one
a. God is one being: Q&A 25:
"there is but one only divine being or essence..."
b. God is three persons: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.
2. Each of these persons is eternally distinct from the
other persons; they are not identical
a. The "persons" are not three
different masks that the one God wears.
b. What distinguishes them is their own
personal property within the being of God
3. If you are truly to know God, you must know God triune.
B. How do we know this about God?
1. Not because the church had some philosophers in the
past, but because of Scripture itself
2. And then, especially Scripture's testimony that
C. Do we fully comprehend this truth? Is this not a mystery?
II. His Triune Friendship
A. As a God of three persons, God is a God of friendship; and first of all
friendship within Himself.
1. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit love one another! See John
1:18, Proverbs 8, etc.
2. Notice a couple of things here, that will have bearing
on the application of this truth:
B. As Friend of Himself, God delights to show that triune life outside of
Himself, to us!
1. Jehovah, Triune God, has "left His mark" in
creation.
2. Especially, this aspect of God's life is evidenced in
__________________
III. The Life of His Covenant Friends
A. God's covenant people are well (best?) described as "friends of
God."
1. This is who we are, essentially! "Who are you? We
are God's friends."
2. This is the explanation of our life and everything in
it.
B. Friendship with God drives life in the home and marriage, as pattern and
power.
C. And the child of God who knows that friendship also seeks it in God's
church.