January 23, 2022

DOCTRINE: GOD THE TRINITY, GOD THE FATHER

January 23, 2022

Matt Willmington

 

Nearly everyone has a button that can be pushed or a soapbox if the right subject comes up. What are some topics that can quickly get your attention?

Doctrine. Some people cringe when they hear the word, others look forward to hearing what the teacher has to say. Many know the phrase, “Doctrine divides,” but that can be a misleading statement for such an important study. We live in an age where many are weak in theology, with people outside of a strong faith-based church lacking discipline or leadership in maturing in Christ. We also are in an era when people are constantly moving from one location to another. If you are a Christ-follower, it is vital to your faith walk that you know what the Bible teaches on certain subjects, and what the core beliefs—or “non-negotiables”—are when it comes to picking a church. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying many of the basic doctrines taught in Scripture, and learn the truth in each one. Today we will begin with the doctrine of the Trinity, specifically as it pertains to God the Father.

Focal Passage: Genesis 1:1-3, 26, 28, 31; John 1.

           

GOD THE TRINITY

“We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, creator and sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function.”*

  • Read Genesis 1:1-3. As you read these three verses with faith, what attributes can you discern about God? How do you know that God is a person? Who else is mentioned here?
  • Read Psalm 33:6, 9. How did God create the world (verse 3)? Read John 1:1-3. Who is the Word? What is said about Him in this passage? What power did it take for God to create?
  • Read Gen. 1:26-28, 31. Who is God speaking to in vs 26? Why are humans special? Why would God want to bless us?
  • Read Isaiah 48:12-13, 16, and Matt. 3:16-17. Who do we see listed in these passages? Who is in Revelation 22:1, 16-17?

“We affirm that the Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. From Him the Son is eternally generated and from Them the Spirit eternally proceeds. He is the designer of creation, the speaker of revelation, the author of redemption, and the sovereign of history.”*

  • Read John 20:17. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, what did He call the apostles? How did He refer to God?

GOD IS…

  • What do these mean?

Spirit (John 1:18)                                Eternal (Deut. 33:27)

Self-Existent (Isa. 41:4)                       Omnipresent (Psa. 139:7-12)

Self-Sufficient (Job 41:11)                   Omnipotent (Gen. 18:14)

Omniscient (2 Kings 19:27)                 Wise (Job 36:5)

Immutable (Num. 23:19)                    Sovereign (Psa. 135:6)

Incomprehensible (Deut. 4:35)          Holy (Lev. 19:2)

True (Deut. 32:4)                                Faithful (Deut. 7:9)

Merciful (Exo. 34:7)                            Gracious (Psa. 103:8)

Love (Deut. 4:37)                                The Lord (Gen. 15:7)

Close

As Matt Willmington went over the attributes of God as our Father, he emphasized that many people have never had a father who provided a good role model to compare to a loving Father God in heaven. That is a sorrow that remains after Satan steals the figure whom Solomon writes is “the glory of children.” But God becomes a Father to the fatherless, and if this is you, take an evening and search out how much He cares for orphans (or those who have been raised without a father), and you will see that His heart is turned toward you for blessing. He is so loving that Jesus said we can address Him as “Abba,” which is like calling Him Poppa!

Another category of people whom God loves in an extra-special way is widows. In 1 Timothy 5, Paul paints a very graphic picture of those who are “really widows,” and urges the churches to take them under their wing, providing special care. James tells us that those who honor widows and orphans are practicing pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God.

Just as our lives as children are centered around our parents or guardians, so our lives as believers should center around the Trinity: God our Father, who is in heaven and loves us with an everlasting love, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. James 4:8 tells us to draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us. William McDowell wrote a beautiful praise song that begins, “You are not a God created by human hands…”*** Soak in the lyrics to praise songs that glorify God; spend those final moments as you fall asleep listing God’s attributes. Let Scriptures that tell of His glory saturate your mind when people treat you with impatience or roughness, letting His love and grace heal the hurt. He’s good. Even when He has to correct us, He does it in love. He’s a good, good Father. And it is our delight to experience His blessings and enjoy Him forever.

 

*, ** Doctrinal Statement, Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg, VA.

*** William McDowell, “You Are God Alone.”

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