June 12th 2022 Trinity Sunday Acts 2:14a,22-36 Feast of the Trinity
Complicated? You bet! Today is Trinity Sunday and we are going to look at the complexity of this revelation from out God.
How many of you have every played in a band or orchestra? A band is truly remarkable and complicated. I played in band from 5th grade through high school. I wanted to be a band teacher for a while until I got looking at the scores and how complicated they were. Then when in college I moved up to a small orchestra and realized that Band was complicated but nothing like and orchestra combined with singing scores that just blows my mind. Then when I moved here and Tim my oldest was still in high school we played in the SFCC Orchestra together and he played in the South West Florida Junior Symphony Orchestra in addition to having been able to go off to Lutheran Summer Music Camp. I have not play in years but Tim plays in a 250 piece symphonic orchestra of all volunteers which is truly outstanding. At times they join with the 200+ voice choir. In fact Susan and I were at one of his concerts Friday evening. To really understand a symphonic compositions you need to look at the different parts and how they all fit together. Complicated is an understatement, it is so beyond complicated. To think that one person heard, saw and could write these compositions is truly remarkable.
Today is the day in the church year, where we celebrate something that is even more complicated, that is so complex, it makes a symphony seem simple. We celebrate that our God is three, and yet one. Our Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit.
We said a creed today, that seems so complicated, and yes even a bit confusing. Perhaps we need to say it slowly, with a long pause between each clause. For the majestic glory described there, is worth considering, it is worth pondering. (but it takes long enough as it is.
What we can know….I think, that like the great concert, there is a time to be in awe at the incredible details that comprise a concert, and a time to be amazed at how the parts work in incredibly unified perfection. There is also time, to relax and focus not on the details, and the complicated nature of the performance, but simply to revel, and rejoice at the finished product.
As we look at a section of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, we see, we hear the symphony of Father, Son, and Spirit at work, preparing a masterpiece. As we see the three major components working together, may we realize the grace that is poured out on us, as our God, works a concert of incredible grace!
In our reading from Acts, God, our Father, first moves to do what Peter describes as “attesting” to Jesus. A word not used often these days, it means to demonstrate and prove that to which you are attesting. If someone were to attest that I was once brown haired and thinner, they would pull out pictures of me in college and high school – proving their claim.
God, our Father, attests to the fact that Jesus is His only begotten son, the Messiah, the hope long since promised to Adam and Eve, to Abraham, Issac and Jacob, to Moses and Joshua, to Samuel and David and the rest of the prophets, by what Peter says were, mighty works, wonders, and signs. Things that no one, but one approved by God, could even comprehend, never mind accomplish. Works of healing, wonders of raising the dead, and walking through crowds attempting to kill him, and signs such as His teaching, 330 some such events, prophesied 400 to 3000 years prior to His birth.
Everything Jesus did, was laid out to do, by the Father. The plan was set, even to the fact, that the people that Peter was speaking to, would hand over Jesus to be killed…hanged on a cross. God knew about this, beforehand, He understood the cost, and sent Jesus, anyway…and then, would raise Him from the dead!
We now see Jesus’ role in this symphony, for he too, knew what the crowd would do. Yet, scripture tells us, he approached the cross, knowing the joy that it signified, as well as the shame. He went, in total agreement with the Father will, and divine plan.
If I were to write the symphony that would accompany this part of the text, this part would have this incredibly dark and solid bass line…. as it symbolized the darkness and weight of our sin… and the sin of the world…all of that sin, oppressing us, and separating us from God.
And then, as Christ dies, the roll of dark bass drums reach a crescendo, and all the low bass instruments, for a moment, a dark and minor key…and then halt..
But then, a piccolo begins to trill a bright high note, soon joined by every bright and joyous instrument in the orchestra joins in, as the music goes from dirge to dance, from hopeless depression, to a life abundant in hope, and in joy. From a life of emptiness, to a life of celebration.
That is the only way I can picture death, supposedly victorious, finding that no matter how hard it tries to hold to Jesus, it cannot. Our passage pictures death there, with is chains ripped apart, as Jesus walks away, risen, reigning, triumphant
Peter points out a tomb, that holds the greatest hero in the Jewish history, the King and prophet and psalm writer David. The man God claims was after God’s own heart. His bones have rested in the grave for a thousand years, but Jesus, who was killed by crucifixion, his bones, his body lies in no grave. It is risen, as we have said repeatedly since Easter, and for the last two weeks, we have celebrated that He has ascended! How much greater Jesus must be, compared to King David.
It is amazing to me, that even after 2000 years, that it is difficult to discuss one person of the trinity, despite the amazing descriptions of how He has worked, and how the Father and Jesus promise He will work, as He is sent to us. The Holy Spirit, I have searched for good conservative Bible Studies and have not found many. There are only 2 on the Concordia Website!
Here, in Acts 2, we have mention, the Spirit being poured out on the apostles. Jesus had asked them to stay in Jerusalem, until this day, and on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. The result of that is that three thousand people gathered, and heart Peter proclaim this message.
That testimony of Jesus’ life, and death, burial and resurrection, is the primary method the Holy Spirit works on us, and within us. Revealing Christ, from scripture, testifying to our hearts as well! That testimony brings us faith, and life, doing what the old translation of the Apostles Creed says – quickening us. Quickened means to be brought to life.
If our lesson in acts were to be continued, we would see the conclusion of the first movement of the symphony of God. The Holy Spirit, working through the words of Peter, shows the people that they killed Gods promised one, Jesus the Christ. The people are convicted, they are cut to the heart. They realize that they have done something horrid…Yet God the Father foreknew it, and allowed it to happen. He planned out how it would happen, and Jesus accomplished the task. And through the Holy Spirit’s action, 3000 people believed, and repented…
Each time, the word is proclaimed, the symphony begins another movement, another piece of work. It brings us to life, and to faith, and we rejoice as we see this life begin, as others realize that the harsh nature of sin has been wiped away, and they rejoice with us at the love and joy and peace given to us by our God, Father, Son and Spirit.
Someday, the final movement shall occur, and all will be gathered before Him, as we with millions of voices declare the holiness of the Lord.
Until then, we live in Christ, with the promised Spirit, who was poured out on us, in our baptism. The Holy Spirit, whose names include the comforter, and counselor, the one who walks beside us, reminding us we walk in peace with God.
AMEN.
Service :
Opening Hymn "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" LSB #940
Holy God, we praise Thy name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee. All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in heav’n above adore Thee. Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign.
Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.
Introduction (Be Seated)
P Through our worship, we will progressively and responsively confess the Athanasian Creed. As the more commonly confessed Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds were written and doctrinally accepted according to God’s Word in defense to the heresies of the time and applicable still today, so also the Athanasian Creed was written and doctrinally accepted to refute false teachings regarding the Scripturally revealed identity and work of the one true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As we hold the “catholic faith,” the Athanasian Creed refers to “catholic” as the true Church of all times and places who faithfully confess the true Christ as Lord and Savior. It means "universal" and "inclusive".
Athanasian Creed-Part 1
P Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith.
C Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally.
L And the catholic faith is this,
C that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.
P For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Holy Spirit is another.
C But the Godhead of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.
L Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit:
C the Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated;
P the Father infinite, the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite;
C the Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal.
L And yet there are not three Eternals, but one Eternal,
C just as there are not three Uncreated or three Infinites, but one Uncreated and one Infinite.
P In the same way, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Spirit almighty;
C and yet there are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.
L So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God;
C and yet there are not three Gods, but one God.
P So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord;
C and yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.
Hymn "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" LSB #940
Hark! The glad celestial hymn Angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising, Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy Lord!
Confession and Absolution (Please Rise)
C Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all people, we admit and confess our sinfulness.
P We have turned away from one another in our thinking, speaking, and doing.
C We have done the evil You forbid and have not done the good You demand. We do repent and are truly sorry for these our sins.
L Have mercy on us, heavenly Father, because of the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
C Forgive us all that is past, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, move us to serve You faithfully. Set our feet upon the new path of life, that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name.
P Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He alone, with the Father and the Spirit, is the one who has promised forgiveness to those who repent of their sins and turn to Him. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you to greater faith and obedience, and bring you to live with Him forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.
Salutation
L The Lord be with you.
C And with your spirit.
Prayer of the Day
L Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Hymn "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" LSB #940
Holy Father, holy Son, Holy Spirit, three we name Thee; Though in essence only one, Undivided God we claim Thee And, adoring, bend the knee While we own the mystery.
Old Testament Reading (The blessings of wisdom) Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
R This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
Second Reading (Peter's Pentecost sermon affirming all the Lord's work) Acts 2:14a, 22-36
R This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
Athanasian Creed-Part 2
P Just as we are compelled by the Christian truth to acknowledge each distinct person as God and Lord, so also are we prohibited by the catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords.
C The Father is not made nor created nor begotten by anyone.
L The Son is neither made nor created, but begotten of the Father alone.
C The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding.
P Thus, there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
C And in this Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another;
L but the whole three persons are coeternal with each other and coequal, so that in all things, as has been stated above, the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is to be worshiped.
C Therefore, whoever desires to be saved must think thus about the Trinity.
(Please Rise)
Holy Gospel ("Before Abraham was, I am.") John 8:48-59
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.
P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.
Hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" LSB 507
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessèd Trinity!
Introduction
P As we confess in this creed the work and identity of the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with all founded in and supported throughout Scripture, the Athanasian Creed closes with a reminder of judgment and the Last Day to come. Though reference is made to works, works are not the basis of our salvation. Only those who by faith believe in Jesus Christ for salvation are able to do good works in God’s sight, and the good works done are fruits of the saving faith in Christ given through the Holy Spirit.
Athanasian Creed-Part 3 Part 3
P But it is also necessary for everlasting salvation that one faithfully believe the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C Therefore, it is the right faith that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is at the same time both God and man.
L He is God, begotten from the substance of the Father before all ages; and He is man, born from the substance of His mother in this age:
C perfect God and perfect man, composed of a rational soul and human flesh;
P equal to the Father with respect to His divinity, less than the Father with respect to His humanity.
C Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ:
L one, however, not by the conversion of the divinity into flesh, but by the assumption of the humanity into God;
C one altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.
P For as the rational soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ,
C who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead,
L ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
C At His coming all people will rise again with their bodies and give an account concerning their own deeds.
P And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire.
C This is the catholic faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” LSB 507
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessèd Trinity!
Sermon //// Offering
Prayer of the Church
P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Before Abraham was, You were and are and ever will be—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From You comes all that is from creation to redemption in Jesus Christ. Your grace preserves all things. Grant us continued
faith and trust in who You have revealed Yourself to be that we trust in Your mercy and rejoice in the forgiveness accomplished for us through all our days. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer.
L Ever-sustaining Lord—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we worship You not as we ought but as we are able, within the frailty of our minds that struggle to understand and hearts that struggle against sin and unbelief. Guard us by Your Spirit, that we not grow weary nor lose sight of the goal before us. Work in us to display the good works of Him who has called us from darkness into His marvelous light. Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Ever-providing Lord—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—You have suffered fully the cost of love through the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Give healing and peace to all who are afflicted, and give Your comfort to the grieving and dying. We lift up to You those who have requested our prayer, [especially . . .], those whose needs are known only to You, and those in our hearts. Give them all that is needful so they may endure trials confident of Your presence and grace sufficient for every need. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer.
P Ever-present Lord—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—renew us by Your Word and Spirit. Where we lack love and compassion, build us up in Christ. When distracted by the temporal things of this world, draw our eyes upon our Savior You have given. Grant Your presence and strengthen our trust in Your promises made, fulfilled, and yet to come, that we be found faithful at Your time, and be forever together with those who have gone before us to Your kingdom without end. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer.
L All these things we pray to You, through Christ Jesus, for You live and reign as the triune and eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who always has been and always will be. C Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Benediction
P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace. C Amen.
Closing Hymn "Glory Be to God the Father" LSB 506
Glory be to God the Father, Glory be to God the Son, Glory be to God the Spirit: Great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, glory While eternal ages run!
Glory, blessing, praise eternal! Thus the choir of angels sings; Honor, riches, pow’r, dominion!
Thus its praise creation brings. Glory, glory, Glory to the King of kings!