Experiencing God in Everyday Life

Ed Riddick,March 8, 2015

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

I. An Explanation of the Trinity

Definition: “God is three persons existing in a single, uncompounded nature, in structural togetherness.”

Wayne Grudem: “God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God”

Diagram

The Son is God

Hebrews 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”

The Son is God

Colossians 1:15; 2:9 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily”

Philippians 2:6 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped”

The Spirit Is God

Acts 5:3–4 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? …You have not lied to man but to God.”

Hebews 9:14; 1 Cor 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21

A plurality of Persons in the OT

• Isaiah 6:3 “holy, holy, holy” with 6:8 “who for go for us”

• Genesis 1:26 “let us make man in our image”

• Genesis 11:7 “let us go down, and there confound their language”

Descriptions of the Trinity

Jonathan Edwards’ vision of the trinity as an intense, pure, delight and love flowing between the Father and the Son, "an energy of joy that makes atom bombs look like firecrackers."

John Piper calls likens this fellowship or communion among the God-head as a Esprit de corps = the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm.

II. Our Common Experience with God

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Matt 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

A. A Present Reality

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

A. A Present Reality

Ephesians 3:20–21 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

A. A Present Reality

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Jacob’s Ladder - Genesis 28:10-17

Genesis 28:16–17 “Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Angels – A Present Reality

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

B. The 3-fold Reality of God

1. The grace of the Lord JesusEphesians 2:18 Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

B. The 3-fold Reality of God

1. The grace of the Lord Jesus1 Corinthians 16:23 “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.”

Romans 12:6 “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith”

A. A Present Reality

2. The love of GodLamentations 3:22–23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

A. A Present Reality2. The love of GodRomans 8:35–39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

A. A Present Reality

3. The fellowship of the Holy Spiritkoinvnia = participation of the Holy Spirit. Total involvement!

Transforming Truth