In a few weeks’ time on the 8th of June, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday in our church calendar. This is celebrated 50 days after Easter. The Sunday after that on the 15th of June is Trinity Sunday which celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. This week we started a short series from Romans 8 on the “Holy Spirit”.
These two things have got me thinking about the Trinity and in particular the important role that the Holy Spirit has in our Christian lives. We believe “that God is one and yet eternally a Triune God”. This is in LRBC’s Statement of Faith.
The Bible shows us a history of God’s revelation and redemption progressively through the three persons of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Before Christ’s coming, there was the prominence of God the Father. During the time of Christ’s earthly life there was the prominence of God the Son. Since the ascension of the Son there is the prominence of God the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean that one person of the Trinity is progressively replacing another. The Son did not replace the Father. He came to glorify the Father. The Holy Spirit did not replace the Son. He came to glorify him.
Sometimes we can forget how important the Holy Spirit is. Let’s remember the Holy Spirit is a person and not a force. John chapters 14 – 16 shows us several things about this. Firstly, he is our Counsellor or Comforter (14:16). Secondly, he is our teacher (14:26).
The Holy Spirit is God. The one who indwells us and leads us is God the Holy Spirit. If we despise the person and reject the work of the Holy Spirit, are we behaving any differently than God’s chosen people who rejected God in the Old Testament, or the Jews who rejected the Son of God in the New Testament?
I really like the prayer that John Stott prayed every day for many years. It helps us see the relevance and importance of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our worship.
Almighty and everlasting God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, I worship you.
Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord of the world, I worship you.
Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the people of God, I worship you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day your fruit may ripen in my life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God, have mercy upon me.
Amen.