The Trinity in John 14
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Growing up with the focus on Jesus
Holy Spirit experience at Valley
SATS being Christ-o-centric
Increasing understanding of the Trinity in salvation
The confusion of the Trinity, both in doctrine and in application
Context
Context
Jesus had called the disciples, who had taken the radical step to follow Him, despite the cultural implications
Jesus’ time to depart was fast approaching, and He was aware that the nature of His departure (arrest and cross) would not appear as one of exaltation and glory
He was leaving behind people who were:
a new community
sent witness bearers
In the context of this, Jesus explained the roles of the Trinity in a functional way, intending for the disciples to draw comfort and application from His teaching
This teaching of the Trinity is not some academic treatment of a removed doctrine, but rather it is intended as truths to live by and be comforted by
The functional understanding of the Trinity
The functional understanding of the Trinity
The goal of the Trinity is to give glory and love to the Father
The goal of the Trinity is to give glory and love to the Father
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
Jesus, as the Son of Man, sought to glorifying and honour the Father
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
Jesus commanded them to continue their belief in the Father
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus wanted the disciples to ultimately be with the Father
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
He identified Himself as the paraklete, the one would bore witness of the Father
John 13.31-
31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
He explained His goal as one of giving glory to the Father, and His lifestyle as proving His love for the Father - see also
He explained His goal as one of giving glory to the Father, and His lifestyle as proving His love for the Father
Response: The Father is the object of worship, and the end trajectory of Jesus’ ministry; He is worthy to be trusted and obeyed
Response: The Father is the object of worship, and the end trajectory of Jesus’ ministry; He is worthy to be trusted and obeyed
31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
The Son is elevated to position of ruler of this world
The Son is elevated to position of ruler of this world
John
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man, the one to whom rulership would be given
His death of the cross was the path to that rulership
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus promises to grant and fulfill the prayer requests of the His disciples
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Jesus secures and bestows peace to His disciples
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
John 14.28
Jesus was to receive the glory due His name
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,
Jesus was sovereign even over the ruler of this world
Response: Bow the knee to Jesus and have confidence in His kingship despite the seeming lack of His effectual sovereignty
Response: Bow the knee to Jesus and have confidence in His kingship despite the seeming lack of His effectual sovereignty
The equality of and submission in the Trinity
The equality of and submission in the Trinity
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Jesus made Himself equal to the Father with the comparison of both glory and belief
Jesus explained the “sameness” between the Holy Spirit and Himself
John 14.10
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
John 14.28
Jesus displayed His submission to the Father; this is NOT the statement of any inferiority to the Father
Response: A reverence of the Trinity; a recognition of the Personhood of the Spirit; a picture of submission within the community which did not equate to inferiority of one person to another
Response: A reverence of the Trinity; a recognition of the Personhood of the Spirit; a picture of submission within the community which did not equate to inferiority of one person to another
The Fatherhood of God
The Fatherhood of God
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
The shift from God to Father
John 14.1-2
The adoption into the family eternally
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
John 14.10-
The Father gave to the Son His witness
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
John 14.16
The Father sends the Spirit to be with us forever
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
The Father loves us
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14.
The Father comes to make His home with us
Response: Ensure that we understand the Fatherhood of God; understand the coming of the Son as the plan of the Father - Jesus did not change the Father’s mind
Response: Ensure that we understand the Fatherhood of God; understand the coming of the Son as the plan of the Father - Jesus did not change the Father’s mind
Jesus is the window to unity within the Trinity
Jesus is the window to unity within the Trinity
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
John 14.6
John 14.9-10
John 14.20
20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
Through Jesus we can see in unity within the Godhead
There is unity and fellowship within the Trinity
31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
This unity is one defined by love
Response: We must strive to grow in our relationship with God as modelled by the unity within the Trinity; we must model our community with the same picture of unity
Response: We must strive to grow in our relationship with God as modelled by the unity within the Trinity; we must model our community with the same picture of unity
The Son will return for us
The Son will return for us
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
John
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14.18
28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
John 14.28
Jesus will come back for His disciples
His return is displayed in His coming to the disciples after His resurrection
Response: Do not allow the fears that this world inspires affect us; hold onto the certainty of His Second Coming
Response: Do not allow the fears that this world inspires affect us; hold onto the certainty of His Second Coming
The Spirit bears witness to the Son
The Spirit bears witness to the Son
John 14.16-17
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
The Spirit is another Paraklete, thus also bearing witness by pointing the Christian to Jesus
The Spirit of Truth linked with , the emphasis is on bearing witness about Jesus
Although is limited to the Apostles, the role played in illuminating continues in a different manner for Christians who have the Scriptures
Response: Understand the impossibility of understanding the truth about Jesus without the witness of the Spirit
Response: Understand the impossibility of understanding the truth about Jesus without the witness of the Spirit
The Spirit has a unique relationship with the believer
The Spirit has a unique relationship with the believer
John 14.17
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The Spirit inhabits the Christian as a comforter in the absence of Jesus
The Spirit does not engage with unbelievers in the same manner; He is an anathema to the world
Response: Recognize the Holy Spirit as the seal and guarantee of our relationship with Jesus
Response: Recognize the Holy Spirit as the seal and guarantee of our relationship with Jesus
Reflection
Reflection
Do you have understand the Trinity properly?
Are you allowing the doctrine of the Trinity to properly meet your needs and responsibilities as a Christian?