Sermonettes For Trinity Sunday

Weekend of May 30, 1999

Saint Mark's, Watertown

Pastor Karl Walther

Sermonette #1 -- God the Father Bore Us and Blesses Us

Dear fellow Christians-- baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

What is a father...? What role does a father play in the life of his child...?

When you think about it, I suppose you might come up with two things especially. First of all, strictly speaking, a father is (along with a mother) the biological source of his child. Secondly, more broadly speaking, a good father provides for his child.

Well, friends, when you were baptized in the name of the Father (and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit), God the Father became your Father. That's precisely what was happening in baptism.

• It means that God the Father bore you. He is the very source of your life. Beginning with two cells joining into one, which in turn divided and multiplied itself, God the Father created every particle of your being. He chose the day you were born. He chose the day you're going to die. And he has chosen every setting of your life in between.

• God the Father bore you. And God the Father blesses you. He has provided you everything. ...God the Father pumps your heart. He aerates your lungs. He begins your brain waves. ...God the Father wakes you up every morning. He puts clothes on your back. He puts a shelter over your head. He gives you food to eat. He gives you water to drink. And he sends you back to sleep every night. ...Furthermore, God the Father delights in you-- just the way a dad delights in a child. How wonderful!

Now, are you at all inclined to doubt all this about God your Father? Well, consider what James chapter one, verses seventeen and eighteen say: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Obviously, then, God the Father bore us and blesses us.

This also gives us an example for our lives....

° Parents, and those of you inclined to be parents, you need to be: not just the physical source of your children, but also a source of every blessing for them. You need to be dedicated to your kids (and dedicated to your spouses) just as God the Father is dedicated to us.

° Children, and those of you who have been children, you need to be: thankful to your folks, and thankful to God for giving them to you. You've got to show that appreciation of yours in obedience and in love.

That's also a part of what it means that God the Father is now your father. Amen.

Sermonette #2 -- God the Son Is Our Brother and Liberator

Dear fellow Christians-- now the younger brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, by baptism:

What is a big brother...? What role does a big brother play in the lives of his younger brothers and sisters...?

When you think about it, I suppose you might come up with one thing particularly. A big brother protects his little brothers and sisters. He liberates them from danger. A big brother is the one who notices a bully picking on his little brother or sister-- and he steps in and puts an end to that.

Well, friends, when you were baptized in the name (of the Father and) of the Son (and of the Holy Spirit), God the Son became your big brother. That's exactly what was happening in baptism.

• It means that God the Son protects you and liberates you from danger. And from what danger was it that you needed protection? Well, no bigger danger ever threatened your life than the devil. He snared the entire world in sin. He caused that sin to infect your soul since conception. And by virtue of that sin, he demanded your death. His very name "devil" means "accuser" or "prosecuting attorney". And he uses that role of his to demand your death, physically and eternally, at the hands of a holy God.

But that's where your big brother, Jesus Christ, stepped in. He took Satan's first punch. He suffered your punishment for your sin. He died on the cross in your place. And then Jesus counterpunched. He rose again to declare you innocent and holy. And since you are his little brother or sister, a part of his family, you will rise innocent and holy. How magnificent!

Now, are you at all inclined to doubt all this about your big brother, Jesus Christ? Well, consider what Hebrews chapter two, verses eleven, fourteen, and fifteen say: Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.... Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Obviously, then, God the Son is our brother and liberator.

This also gives us an example for our lives....

° Are any of you in the business of protecting others? That includes especially policemen, firemen, and paramedics, doctors, nurses, and governmental workers. But it also includes farmers and factory workers and people who work in a store or an office. You are looking to serve your customers. You are looking to provide them some sort of protection.

If any of this applies to you, you need to sacrifice your own interests and put the other guy first. You need to follow the example of your big brother Jesus. You need to care about others-- to serve as the big brother or big sister for others. And-- those of you who benefit from the selfless actions of those sorts of people, you need to be thankful and express your appreciation.

That's also a part of what it means that God the Son is now your big brother. Amen.

Sermonette #3 -- God the Spirit Causes Our Adoption and Inheritance

Dear fellow Christians-- baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

We've explored together what it means that you were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son. You have become a son or daughter of God the Father. You have become a little brother or sister to God the Son. Now, what's the significance that you were also baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit...? What does it mean that you are a member of the family of the Holy Spirit...?

Well, when you think about it, I suppose you might compare the Holy Spirit with the genetic characteristics that make you a part of your biological family. Presently, that sort of dna causes a family resemblance between you and your family. In the future, that sort of dna will probably cause you to share in the inheritance of your family.

• So, by your baptism the Holy Spirit caused you to share a family resemblance with God himself. God is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. And so, the Holy Spirit has given you those traits-- much to your benefit and to the benefit of those who surround you.

• Furthermore, by your baptism the Holy Spirit causes you to share in the inheritance of God himself. To God belongs every good thing: eternal pleasure, everlasting life, and timeless happiness. And since the Holy Spirit has made you a member of the family of God, you will enjoy eternal pleasure, everlasting life, and timeless happiness. How terrific!

Now, are you at all inclined to doubt all this about God your Spirit? Well, consider what Romans chapter eight, verses fourteen through seventeen say: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Obviously, then, God the Spirit causes our adoption and inheritance.

This also gives us an example for our lives....

° First of all, display with pride in God all his family characteristics. Display love, joy, and peace. Exercise patience, kindness, and goodness. Make faithfulness, gentleness, and self control chief characteristics in your life. But contrary to biological genetics, this won't come naturally. You'll have to live in God's Word.

° As you do though, secondly, you will inherit God's every blessing. The Holy Spirit, whom you received at baptism, is the genetic code that proves you deserve a heavenly inheritance. You will receive that eternal inheritance through nothing you did, but rather because you are a part of the family of God.

That's what it means that God the Spirit is also your Spirit now. Amen.