Trinity and Humanity

Part 3A:

Part 3B:

Full Message:

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Bible Verses: Colossians 1: 15 – 29 Colossians 3: 5

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Introduction: Developing, then living out an ethic that is God-centered rather than human-centered is a great challenge. Why? Because the worldview (mindset) prevalent in our modern/postmodern West is fundamentally human-centered, leading to an ethic that is largely pragmatic, utilitarian and even hedonistic. So how do we as Christians, in this cultural setting, develop, then live out a truly theological ethic?

In this sermon we draw on scripture and insights from theologian Dr. Gary Deddo as a help in considering the crucial issues at play regarding our participation with Jesus in worshipping His Father in the Spirit!

Theological Theme:

According to Jesus, these two commands summarize the will of God for humankind as presented in Holy Scripture:

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matt. 22:35-40, NRSV)

Christ Connection:

Jesus came to seek worshipers of the Father (see John 4, the account of the woman at the well). He came so that we could share in his true worship of the Father in Spirit and Truth (see the book of Hebrews). That meant he came so that we might love God as He loved God, with all he had and all he was — heart, soul, mind and strength. That worship included Jesus absolutely trusting in and lovingly obeying the Father — in our place and on our behalf. We are to serve no other Master, Jesus tells us. He came to take us to the Father and to send us his Spirit.
As Jesus tells us, eternal life is to know the Father through him (John 17:3). Jesus’ central mission was to reconcile God’s own sons and daughters to him through his atoning death and to destroy the source of all rivalry to the worship of God alone. Evil is represented by the Satan, the deceiver. Jesus is our great High priest, our Leitourgos (leader of liturgy/worship), our one true worship leader. He came to enable us to be true worshipers of the Father in the Spirit through him, the Son.

Missional Application:

In participation with Jesus we share the Gospel in word and deed with our neighbors, teaching them what Jesus is teaching us:

Though Jesus speaks of two great commandments, they are not equal. One cannot be collapsed into the other, especially the first into the second. Why? Because God is not my neighbor and my neighbor is not God. The command to love God is unique, applying to no one and nothing else. We are to love God with all that we are and all that we have — body and soul, mind and heart. There is nothing that is a part of a human’s existence that is not to be devoted to loving God.

Photo Compliments: Dr. Gary Deddo