The Triune God
Series: Knowing God
Speaker: Sam Low
Date: 2nd February 2013
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 Let me add my hello to you and my welcome to church.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 My voice is particularly bassy tonight and I apologise for that.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 I'll do my best not to cough over the microphone.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:14 We are beginning a new series tonight which is very exciting.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:18 It's exciting because of the topic.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:19 It's also daunting as a preacher.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 We're beginning a series called Knowing God
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 which we are going to sit in for the next six weeks.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:30 And the goal of this series is, like it sounds,
00:00:31 --> 00:00:36 for us to really reflect on and soak in who God is,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:39 to look at his character, to try and understand him better.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 I want to recommend a couple of books to you right up front.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 We stole the title from this book, Knowing God by J.I. Packer
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 which is a sensational read.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:51 We're not following the book necessarily
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 but it is a great book for the sort of things
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 that we're going to be looking at and wrestling with
00:00:56 --> 00:00:57 over the next couple of weeks.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 And this slightly smaller book by Bruce Ware
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 called Father, Son and Holy Spirit
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 I have found particularly helpful
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 as I have wrestled with the doctrine of the Trinity
00:01:07 --> 00:01:11 which we are going to do over the next six weeks.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:16 It may feel daunting even to use that word Trinity
00:01:16 --> 00:01:21 as we get ready for six weeks of wrestling with it.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 And you may be sitting there thinking, why this?
00:01:25 --> 00:01:28 Surely there are many other series that we could look at.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 There might be really specific practical concerns
00:01:32 --> 00:01:33 that you would love us to wrestle with.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:35 Maybe your work-life balance.
00:01:36 --> 00:01:37 Maybe your finances.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 Maybe any number of other things.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 But we have chosen this
00:01:41 --> 00:01:45 and it's worth us asking the question why.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 Because there is a danger in a series like this.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:53 There is a danger when we wrestle with who God is
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 when we wrestle with theology ultimately.
00:01:56 --> 00:01:57 That's what we're doing.
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 There's the danger that we approach it
00:01:59 --> 00:02:02 simply with the goal that we will know stuff.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:06 That we will have more anecdotes about who God is.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 That we will have more ammunition to shout back at people
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 when we get in arguments at work or uni or school.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:17 There is of course the danger that we are just doing this series
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 so that we know more stuff about God.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 If that is our goal, if that is your goal,
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 you are on a path to self-satisfaction,
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 self-condemnation and self-righteousness
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 which are all of no value.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 And so we need to be really careful about our motivations
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 when we look at something like the character of God.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 We need to ensure that we're coming at this
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 for more than just information.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 Theology is one of those nerdy words
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 which sometimes immediately gives us a picture
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 of just library, university, high pants,
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 whatever other things you're thinking of.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 We need to ensure that that's not our goal for this series.
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 It's not our goal ever when we open the Bible
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 and particularly as we wrestle with knowing God,
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 we don't just want to know more stuff about God at the end.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:05 If that's where we get to,
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 we will have wasted six weeks of time together
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 and six weeks of opening the Bible together.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:13 So theology, which is basically the study of God,
00:03:13 --> 00:03:14 is a gift.
00:03:15 --> 00:03:19 It is something in which we can find great encouragement.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:23 Let me read to you the words of a very, very great preacher,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:29 Charles Spurgeon, when beginning a sermon at the age of 20,
00:03:29 --> 00:03:30 which is slightly intimidating.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 But let me read you very briefly his introduction
00:03:33 --> 00:03:37 as he began wrestling with this topic specifically.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:41 He said that the most excellent study for expanding the soul
00:03:41 --> 00:03:44 is the science of Christ and him crucified
00:03:44 --> 00:03:48 and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 Nothing will so enlarge the intellect,
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 nothing so magnify the whole soul of a man
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 as a devout, earnest, continued investigation
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 of the great subject of the deity.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 And whilst humbling and expanding,
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 this subject is eminently consolatory.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ,
00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 a balm for every wound.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:14 In musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 And in the influence of the Holy Ghost,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 there is a balsam for every sore.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 Would you lose your sorrow?
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 Would you drown your cares?
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 Be lost in his immensity,
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest,
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 refreshed and invigorated.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 I know nothing which can so comfort the soul,
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 so speak peace to the winds of trial
00:04:41 --> 00:04:45 as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 He finds in his study of God
00:04:49 --> 00:04:53 comfort, encouragement, challenge, rebuke,
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 healing, inspiration,
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 and that is why we're going to spend some time
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 wrestling with what is a difficult topic.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 I want to acknowledge that it'll be hard
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 for the next six weeks,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 but it's worth it for those reasons
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 that he has just articulated for us.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 Theology is a gift to us for our sake.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:14 It's not a pointless exercise.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 It is a gift that God has given us,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 but more than a gift, it is a necessity.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 According to Jesus himself,
00:05:21 --> 00:05:25 the eternal life that we have is knowing God.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 In John 17, he says it explicitly,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 this is eternal life that they may know you,
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 the one true God.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 And so we must do theology,
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 because that is the life that Jesus has died
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 and risen again to give us.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 But as well as being a gift
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 and as well as being a necessity,
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 theology is, as Spurgeon has said,
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 incredibly practical.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 You might think of other places you want to start,
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 thinking about the character of God
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 may appear abstract,
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 but we need to remember that God
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 is the ultimate reality in the universe.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 He is the defining true thing.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 He is the measure for all other things.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 He is the means and the necessary means
00:06:07 --> 00:06:10 by which we can look at other things,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 look at our finances,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 look at our work-life balance,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 look at whatever else it may be.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 It doesn't appear attractive at first.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 It's like when you're designing a house
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 or going to look at a house that you want to buy.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 You don't start with the sewage system.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 You start with the veneer on the outside
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 or what gardens you might have.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:33 The sewage system doesn't appear appealing or attractive,
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 but a house is not functional
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 if it doesn't have some sort of sewage system.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 Fairly soon, if you completely neglected
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 to ensure that it was working,
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 it would destroy the nice grass
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 and the nice veneer and the nice carpets in your house.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 Now, of course, there's a problem there
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 because we're saying that God is like sewage,
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 but the point is it doesn't appear attractive
00:06:52 --> 00:06:55 in a setting like this with the Bible open
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 to go straight to just thinking about who God is.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 We want to jump to the more interesting stuff,
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 the stuff that really touches us immediately,
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 like sexual purity,
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 like generosity,
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 like love.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 But unless we understand the character of God,
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 we can't do those things
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 because the character of God is central.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:23 He is the thing that defines the way we use our finances,
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 the way we treat one another,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:25 the way we use our time.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 And so we will begin this year
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 by wrestling with what appears abstract,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 with what might be intimidating,
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 with what might be scary,
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 and we will wrestle with our God who is Trinity.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 The passages that Tim read out for us before
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 in the Philippians passage,
00:07:41 --> 00:07:45 Paul expresses a deep desire that he might know God.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:47 And I want to begin,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 you may think I've already begun,
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 I want to begin by asking the question,
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 what can we actually know about God?
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 As Christians,
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 we love to talk about having a relationship with God.
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 That sounds fantastic,
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 but what do we even mean by that?
00:08:05 --> 00:08:05 I mean,
00:08:06 --> 00:08:06 God is
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 up there,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:09 isn't he?
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 So when we describe a relationship with God,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 do we mean the same thing that we mean
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 when we talk about relationships with one another?
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 How do relationships work when you meet somebody?
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 You initiate them by slowly getting to know them.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 The relationship only works if both parties
00:08:26 --> 00:08:29 are gradually giving more of themselves,
00:08:29 --> 00:08:32 and giving more access of themselves to the other person.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 And progressively,
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 as you learn more of what things excite them,
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 and what things upset them,
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 and what things anger them,
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 and you become invested in those things,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 and you become excited by what excites them,
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 and saddened by what saddens them,
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 and offended by what offends them,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 your relationship grows,
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 and is strengthened,
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 and you come closer together.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 I don't mean merely romantic relationships.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 This might be just a friend that you meet,
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 this might be an acquaintance,
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 this could even be a family member.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:02 I am enjoying getting to know my son at the moment.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 We've only had him for 10 months,
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 and progressively,
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 as he discovers more of who he is,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 he's able to disclose more of who he is
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 to me and Sal as well.
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 And so as we get to know him,
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 he gets to know more of us,
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 and the relationship grows.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 For a relationship,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 there needs to be some sort of access given.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:27 And when there's a superior in the relationship,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:31 the access is entirely one directional.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 Imagine for a second
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 that you have won some sort of lottery,
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 and you are given the opportunity to meet the queen.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 And not just that meet the queen
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 where you stand in a queue,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 shake the hand,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:44 or curtsy,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 or whatever,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:45 and then she moves on
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 and pays no attention to you,
00:09:47 --> 00:09:47 but meet the queen
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 in a way where you get to sit down with her,
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 have some face time,
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 just you and her.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 And initially,
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 you sit down,
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 and if she was to insist
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 that you referred to her as her majesty,
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 if she was to limit the discussion
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 to the weather,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:07 or the current affairs that were going on,
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 you might walk away a little bit disappointed,
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 because even though you had met her,
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 and you had spoken to her,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 and you knew her name,
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 you probably wouldn't say
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 you had a relationship with her.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:21 But if she was to invite you in,
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 and as you sat down,
00:10:22 --> 00:10:22 she said,
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 please call me Liz.
00:10:24 --> 00:10:27 And she began to give you a little bit more access
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 to who she is.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 She began to share her frustration
00:10:30 --> 00:10:33 at the comical version of a family that she has.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 She began to talk about and discuss
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 the things that have been difficult in her lifetime.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:42 She began to share some of her personal experiences.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 She began to let you in
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 to see who she is
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 and what matters to her.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 Only then
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 would you begin to feel like
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 there was some sort of relationship.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 And can you see that
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 you can only have a relationship
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 in so much as she
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 reveals herself to you?
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 It's entirely her prerogative.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 As the queen,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 she could just ring her secret service
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 and probably find out
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 everything there is to know about you.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 But for you to know her,
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 she needs to make a decision
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 that she will show herself to you.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 Only what is revealed can be known.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 And the same is true of us and God.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 There is a relationship between us and God,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 but it's not a relationship between equals.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 Our relationship with God is limited
00:11:24 --> 00:11:28 to what He shows us of Himself.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 And so really quickly,
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 I want to have a look at how He shows us Himself.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 1
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 that in nature,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 we get a bit of a glimpse into God.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 In nature,
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 we begin to see that God is powerful and immense.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 We get to see that God is sovereign,
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 that God is in control,
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 that God looks after and sustains
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 even the little things,
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 that God can control the storms
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 and the seasons
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 and the days
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 and the nights
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 and the years
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 and the generations.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 But it's not until we get to Jesus
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 that we begin to see
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 some serious revealing,
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 some serious revelation.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 There is a verse at the beginning
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 of the book of Hebrews.
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 Sorry,
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 I should have bookmarked lots of these,
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 but I'll flick around.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 There is a verse at the very beginning of Hebrews
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 in Hebrews chapter 1
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 which says this,
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 In the past,
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 God spoke to our forefathers
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 through the prophets
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 at many times
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 and in various ways,
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 but in these last days
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 He has spoken to us
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 by His Son
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 whom He appointed
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 heir of all things
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 and through whom
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 He made the universe.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 God gives Jesus
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 so that we can see Him,
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 so that we can get
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 a fuller picture of Him.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 Colossians 1
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 talks about Jesus
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 being the exact representation
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 of the Father in heaven,
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 that the point of Jesus arriving,
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 the point of Jesus coming to earth
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 is so that we can see
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 what bits of God
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 He wants us to see,
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 so that there will be
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 something on show
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 that we can begin
00:12:52 --> 00:12:54 to relate to.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 He already knows us,
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 He made us,
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 He's the Creator,
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 but the bit that we relate with
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 is the bit that God
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 has shown us
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 and the bit that He has shown us
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 is His Son, Jesus.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:08 But the amazing good thing
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 about our God,
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 even though He is far above us,
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 even though He is far beyond us,
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 is that He actually wants
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 to be known.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 Sometimes there is this inkling
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 that maybe God is happier,
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 separate from us,
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 that maybe God kind of humors us
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 by just dangling a carrot,
00:13:29 --> 00:13:32 but repeatedly throughout Scripture,
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 God shows us that His desire
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 is for people,
00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 humans,
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 to know Him.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 In Jeremiah chapter 31,
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 God makes a covenant
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 with His people.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 Jeremiah 31, 33 says this,
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 This is the covenant
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 I will make with the house of Israel.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 After that time,
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 declares the Lord,
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 I will put my law in their minds
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 and write it on their hearts.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 I will be their God
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 and they will be my people.
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 No longer will a man
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 teach his neighbor
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 or a man his brother
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 saying,
00:14:03 --> 00:14:03 Know the Lord,
00:14:03 --> 00:14:06 because they will all know me
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 from the least of them
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 to the greatest,
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 declares the Lord.
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 God's plan from the beginning
00:14:13 --> 00:14:16 was that people would know Him.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 People have been missing it
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 and rejecting it,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 but even from way back here
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 before Jesus,
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 God's agenda was
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 that all people would know Him,
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 not know about Him,
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 not have some idea who He is,
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 not be able to spell His name,
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 but have a relationship with Him.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 We flick forward
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 into the New Testament,
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 into John chapter 17,
00:14:35 --> 00:14:38 and this time we have Jesus praying.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 John 17 is a chapter
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 we're probably going to go back
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 to a couple of times
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 over the next few weeks,
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 but in John 17 and verse 6,
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 Jesus says this,
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 I have revealed you,
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 talking to His Father in heaven,
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 to those whom you gave me
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 out of the world.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 The job that Jesus was given
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 by God
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 was to reveal God,
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 to show God,
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 and so everything He does on earth
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 is to show us
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 the God of heaven
00:15:04 --> 00:15:07 so that we might know Him.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 The relationship
00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 is not to be just information,
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 the relationship is to be
00:15:13 --> 00:15:15 information and response.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 It's to be head and heart
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 and hands and feet
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 and whole of life.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 God shows us who He is
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 that that might shape
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 who we are
00:15:24 --> 00:15:26 and that that might shape
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 the lives that we live.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 The end point that we see
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 in Scripture
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 is every tongue
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 confessing that Jesus is Lord,
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 is every knee bowing
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 because finally they know
00:15:36 --> 00:15:38 who God is,
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 because finally they are
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 confronted with His majesty.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 God is not hiding,
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 God's goal is not to be
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 hard to find,
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 His goal is that people
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 would know Him.
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 So what can we know of God?
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 We can know what He has revealed
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 and what has He revealed?
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 He has revealed Himself
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 in His Son,
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 He has revealed Himself
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 in His creation
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 and for us He has compiled
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 those things in Scripture
00:16:00 --> 00:16:03 so that even thousands of years
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 after Jesus' life,
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 death and resurrection
00:16:05 --> 00:16:08 we still can meet God.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 We can still have Him speak to us.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 Our relationship with God
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 is not exactly like
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 our other relationships.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 relationships.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 We can't see God
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 but we can have Him
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 speak to us every day.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 We can have Him show us
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 more of His character
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 through the people around us.
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 We can have a relationship
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 with Him.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 One thing that we're going
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 to wrestle with in particular
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 over the next few weeks
00:16:37 --> 00:16:39 is that God has revealed Himself
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 as Trinity.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 He hasn't used the word
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 Trinity
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 and the word is sometimes
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 something that we trip over
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 but He has revealed Himself
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 as a God who is three
00:16:51 --> 00:16:53 and a God who is one.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 This is the bit
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 where we start to get concerned,
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 our heads start to spin,
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 we start to get nervous
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 but the testimony of the Bible
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 is that God is Father,
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 God is Son
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 and God is Holy Spirit.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 I want to put it out there
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 straight away.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 this is a truth
00:17:11 --> 00:17:14 that is incomprehensible.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 This is a truth
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 that is beyond us
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 but it's still true
00:17:21 --> 00:17:25 which means it still matters
00:17:25 --> 00:17:28 and the reason it matters
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 is because
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 we can only have a relationship
00:17:31 --> 00:17:34 with what God has revealed to us
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 and God has revealed to us
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 that He is Trinity.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 So if we're going to have
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 a relationship with God,
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 it needs to be
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 with the God
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 who is Trinity.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 Over the next few weeks
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 you're going to find
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 that I repeat myself a lot.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 I'm not doing it by accident
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 hopefully.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 There are things
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 that Scripture testifies to
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 over and over again.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 We will go to verse
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 after verse
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 that tells us
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 that there is one God
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 and one God alone
00:18:00 --> 00:18:03 and so I will keep telling you that.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 We will go to verses
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 that tell us
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 that Jesus is God,
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 that the Spirit is God,
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 that the Father is God
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 over and over again
00:18:12 --> 00:18:15 because that is what Scripture tells us.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 We are still then standing
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 in that awkward position
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 of saying there's one
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 but there's three
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 but there's one
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 but there's three
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 but we need to be clear
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 Scripture keeps saying them
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 so they're true.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 What we want to wrestle with,
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 what do we do with that fact?
00:18:29 --> 00:18:32 That there is a oneness in God,
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 a unity that cannot be broken,
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 that cannot be separated
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 but there is also a distinction,
00:18:37 --> 00:18:40 there is a threeness in God.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:41 So again,
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 what do we do with that?
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 Well,
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 it's okay for us to acknowledge
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 that it's hard to understand.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 We need to remember
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 that we are trying to
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 contain a God
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 who is infinite,
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 a God who is outside
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 of this apparently infinite galaxy
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 that we live in.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 He created it
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 and yet we're trying to collect
00:19:07 --> 00:19:09 all of that power
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 and majesty
00:19:09 --> 00:19:11 and condense it
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 into our little brains.
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 That's never going to work.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 I was trying to think
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 of an illustration
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 to show us
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 the difference
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 between something finite,
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 trying to understand
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 something that's infinite
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 and I couldn't come up
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 with anything
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 because there is nothing
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 that is that ridiculous
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 and that far apart.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 Seriously,
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 I was asking around
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 and I was just looking
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 for something that showed
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 that the immense gap
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 between finite and infinite
00:19:35 --> 00:19:38 and finite being contained
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 and infinite being uncontained
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 and that trying to understand.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 You can't do it
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 because it is just
00:19:42 --> 00:19:44 so overwhelmingly unrealistic
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 but yet that is what
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 we're trying to wrestle
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 with right now.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 And that might be frustrating
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 and discouraging
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 but just be reminded
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 that God wants to be known.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 That's His goal
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 and so He will give us
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 what we need
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 to know Him.
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 He will give us enough
00:19:58 --> 00:20:00 that we can understand
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 who He is
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 and that we can have
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 a relationship with Him.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 And so to this point
00:20:06 --> 00:20:08 in terms of what we can know
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 about God
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 and the relationship
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 that we can have
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 all I want to say
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 for tonight is
00:20:13 --> 00:20:16 that God has revealed Himself
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 in nature,
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 in His Son,
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 in Scripture
00:20:19 --> 00:20:22 and that revelation is
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 that God is triune.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:26 that God is one
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 and God is three
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 and that's the God
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 that we are in
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 a relationship with.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 The testimony
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 of 1 Corinthians 13
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 which Tim read out,
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 you might have been wondering
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 why are we reading
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 this wedding passage?
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 If you've got it
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 in front of you,
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 have a look
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 at 1 Corinthians 13.
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 Verse 9,
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 We know in part
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 and we prophesy in part
00:20:46 --> 00:20:48 but when perfection comes
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 the imperfect disappears.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 Now I want to go
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 down to verse 12.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 Now we see
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 but a poor reflection
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 as in a mirror.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 Then we shall see
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 face to face.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 Now I know in part.
00:20:59 --> 00:21:01 Then I shall know fully
00:21:01 --> 00:21:03 even as I am fully known.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 The barrier for us now
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 is not just
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 our finiteness
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 and God's infinity.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:12 The barrier for us now
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 is the fact
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 that we are imperfect
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 and He is perfect.
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 It is complex.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 There's no denying it.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 It is difficult.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 There's no denying it
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 but it is true
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 and the barrier for us
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 to this truth
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 is the fact
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 that we are sinful people
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 and that is why again
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 this relationship
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 we have with God
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 starts with Him
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 revealing Himself
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 not us finding Him.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 Not us grasping
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 who He is.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 Not us studying
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 to a point
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 where suddenly
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 we can understand it.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 It's necessarily
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 His initiative
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 to choose
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 to reveal to us
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 and to enable us
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 to understand
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 enough of Him
00:21:48 --> 00:21:51 that we might be shaped by it
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 and that it might change us.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 Now because of
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 the fun that we are going to have
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 wrestling with the Trinity
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 for the next six weeks
00:21:58 --> 00:22:00 I wanted to flag for you
00:22:00 --> 00:22:03 that in week five
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 I know it sounds like
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 a long way away
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 in week five
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 we are actually going to
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 give some time
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 in our service
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 for questions.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 Now you might be
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 a little bit shy
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 about asking questions
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 in the service
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 at any point
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 between now and then
00:22:14 --> 00:22:16 you can email me a question.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 I won't name you
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 I won't
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 it would be anonymous
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 that's fine
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 but chances are
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 if you're wrestling with it
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 there's other people as well
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 so please be brave enough
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 to throw it up there
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 and it will bless all of us
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 to wrestle with it.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 I want to tell you
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 in advance
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 I won't have all the answers
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 but it will be good for us
00:22:31 --> 00:22:33 to see what things
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 that we are grasping
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 and what things
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 we're missing as well together
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 so that's going to be
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 in a few weeks.
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 The Trinity
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 is a stumbling block
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 for some of us
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 because for some of us
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 we have had different illustrations
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 thrown at us
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 over the years
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 that can be less than helpful.
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 Well intentioned
00:22:47 --> 00:22:49 but not necessarily helpful.
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 The water one
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 is the first one
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 that came to mind.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 We think of the Trinity
00:22:55 --> 00:22:57 as water, steam and ice.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 H2O has its three forms.
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 It's a good idea
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 there is threeness
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 but there's not oneness
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 in the water, steam and ice
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 because God is one
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 and three at the same time
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 whereas water can be water,
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 ice or steam.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:12 Now someone very smart
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 in our congregation
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 has apparently pointed out
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 to me that it is
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 actually possible
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 for water to be the three
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 at the same time
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 but I've never heard
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 that version
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 of the illustration
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 with God
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 so when I was told
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 the illustration
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 it was unhelpful.
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 The point is
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 the reason the Trinity
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 can be confusing
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 is as soon as somebody
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 gives you something
00:23:28 --> 00:23:30 to help you understand it
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 you suddenly realise
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 that that's completely inadequate
00:23:32 --> 00:23:34 and it's actually distracting
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 and that's kind of encouraging.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 If God could be explained
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 in water, steam and ice
00:23:39 --> 00:23:41 I'd be kind of disappointed.
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 I don't know
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 how much confidence
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 I could have in this
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 water, steam and ice God
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 to save me from my sins
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 and give me eternal life.
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 It is hard.
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 It is frustrating.
00:23:53 --> 00:23:55 But the majesty of God
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 is an encouragement.
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 It's who He is.
00:23:58 --> 00:24:00 He's not going to dumb it down for us.
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 He's giving us
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 enough of Himself
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 that we might know Him.
00:24:04 --> 00:24:06 And then that verse
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 in 1 Corinthians 13
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 Now I know in part
00:24:08 --> 00:24:12 then I shall know fully
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 even as I am fully known.
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 Once we have been
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 fully transformed
00:24:17 --> 00:24:19 once Jesus has come back
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 then we will get to
00:24:20 --> 00:24:22 grasp and bask in
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 and rejoice in
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 and enjoy
00:24:24 --> 00:24:26 God in His fullness.
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 Without the blinkers
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 required to stop us
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 from becoming overwhelmed
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 we will get God fully
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 when He finally comes back.
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 Trinity is who God is
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 and to reject it
00:24:37 --> 00:24:39 or to avoid it
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 because it's difficult
00:24:39 --> 00:24:41 is to reject
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 or avoid God.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 Because this is Him.
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 There is no other version.
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 To have a different God
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 than this
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 is to have a God
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 that you've made up.
00:24:51 --> 00:24:53 A God who is not God at all.
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 And so it's important
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 that we wrestle with this
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 and so we will.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:59 And we probably will continue to
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 for many more years
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 in our lives.
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 In Matthew 28
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 the disciples are instructed
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 to go into all the nations
00:25:04 --> 00:25:06 baptizing into the name
00:25:06 --> 00:25:08 of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 One name.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 The God we worship
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 His name is
00:25:12 --> 00:25:14 Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 The God who you follow
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 His name is
00:25:16 --> 00:25:18 Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 And so
00:25:19 --> 00:25:21 we are going to wrestle with
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 we are going to ask God
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 to give us eyes to see
00:25:23 --> 00:25:25 hearts to understand
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 that we might be shaped
00:25:26 --> 00:25:28 by who He is
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 and by His character.
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 But lastly
00:25:30 --> 00:25:32 tonight was
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 looking at
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 what we can know
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 about God
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 the relationship
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 that we can have
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 and it's kind of
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 introductory
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 because we're going to
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 start looking
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 at each member
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 of the Trinity
00:25:41 --> 00:25:41 going forward
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 but I wanted to
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 before we finish
00:25:43 --> 00:25:45 quickly wrestle with
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 what it means
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 to be known by God
00:25:47 --> 00:25:49 because a relationship
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 is two way.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 God has
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 the seat
00:25:52 --> 00:25:54 of authority
00:25:54 --> 00:25:54 He's the one
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 who initiates
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 He's the one
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 who reveals
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 but it is
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 a relationship
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 where we know Him
00:25:59 --> 00:26:01 and He knows us.
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 So what does that mean?
00:26:03 --> 00:26:05 What's so unique
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 about that?
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 Because on one level
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 you could say
00:26:06 --> 00:26:08 God knows everyone
00:26:08 --> 00:26:10 God made everything
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 God made everyone
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 Psalm 139
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 testifies that God
00:26:13 --> 00:26:15 knits us together
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 in our mother's womb
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 that He knows
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 every step
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 before we take it
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 and so what do we mean
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 when we talk about
00:26:21 --> 00:26:23 being known by God
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 in a relationship
00:26:24 --> 00:26:24 with Him?
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 Let me take you
00:26:26 --> 00:26:26 to two examples
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 really quickly
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 if you're fast
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 jumping through
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 your Bible
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 flick back to
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 Exodus 33
00:26:31 --> 00:26:33 if not
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 you can just
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 listen in
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 you might be
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 faster than me
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 anyway to be honest
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 with you
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 Exodus 33
00:26:38 --> 00:26:41 this is an incident
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 involving Moses
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 talking to God
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 and in Exodus 33
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 beginning at
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 verse 12
00:26:46 --> 00:26:48 Moses said to the
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 Lord
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 you have been
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 telling me
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 lead these people
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 but you have not
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 let me know
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 whom you will
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 send with me
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 you have said
00:26:55 --> 00:26:57 this is quoting God
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 I know you
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 by name
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 and you have
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 found favour
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 with me
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 if you're
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 pleased with me
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 teach me
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 your ways
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 so I may
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 know you
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 and continue
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 to find favour
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 with you
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 remember that
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 this nation
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 is your people
00:27:08 --> 00:27:10 the Lord replied
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 my presence
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 will go with you
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 and I will
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 give you rest
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 then Moses
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 said to him
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 if your presence
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 does not go
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 with us
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 do not send
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 us up from here
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 how will anyone
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 know that you
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 are pleased
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 with me
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 and with your
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 people
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 unless you go
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 with us
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 what else
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 will distinguish
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 me and your
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 people from
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 all the other
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 people on the
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 face of the
00:27:27 --> 00:27:27 earth
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 he's really
00:27:28 --> 00:27:28 keeping it
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 verse 17
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 and the Lord
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 said to Moses
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 I will do
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 the very thing
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 you have asked
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 because I am
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 pleased with you
00:27:35 --> 00:27:37 and I know
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 you by name
00:27:37 --> 00:27:40 God's knowing
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 of Moses
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 here is not
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 simply a
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 knowledge
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 about
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 it's not
00:27:45 --> 00:27:45 simply a
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 knowledge of
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 here God's
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 knowing of
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 Moses
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 is directly
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 connected to
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 God's saving
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 work in
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 Moses
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 circumstance
00:27:53 --> 00:27:55 God's saving
00:27:55 --> 00:27:55 work in
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 Israel's
00:27:56 --> 00:27:56 history
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 God
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 knowing
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 Moses
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 is directly
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 connected
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 with God
00:28:00 --> 00:28:00 leading
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 Israel
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 out of
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 Egypt
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 of his
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 presence
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 going
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 with them
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 and continuing
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 to look
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 after them
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 really quickly
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 in the New
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 Testament
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 just to show
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 you that this
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 isn't just the
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 Old Testament
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 before we get
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 to Jesus
00:28:11 --> 00:28:13 John 10
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 verse 14
00:28:14 --> 00:28:16 Jesus says
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 I am the
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 good shepherd
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 I know
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 my sheep
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 and my
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 sheep know
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 me
00:28:20 --> 00:28:22 just as
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 the Father
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 knows me
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 and I
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 know the
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 Father
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 and I
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 lay down
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 my life
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 for the
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 sheep
00:28:27 --> 00:28:29 I know
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 my sheep
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 and my
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 sheep know
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 me
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 there's the
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 two-way
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 relationship
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 that God
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 has designed
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 for us
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 and then at
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 the end
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 there I
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 lay down
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 my life
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 for the
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 sheep
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 Jesus does
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 not lay
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 down his
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 life for
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 the sheep
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 because the
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 sheep know
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 him
00:28:42 --> 00:28:44 it's his
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 knowledge of
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 the sheep
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 that moves
00:28:46 --> 00:28:46 him to lay
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 down his
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 life
00:28:47 --> 00:28:49 God's
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 knowing of
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 us
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 God's
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 knowledge
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 of us
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 God's
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 side of
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 the
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 relationship
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 is directly
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 connected to
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 his saving
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 mercy in
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 our lives
00:28:56 --> 00:28:58 this is an
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 amazing blessing
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 because as you
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 wrestle with
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 things like
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 theology and
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 difficult concepts
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 like the
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 trinity
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 it's easy to
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 feel inferior
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 to maybe people
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 who have
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 read more
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 than you
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 or have
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 studied more
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 than you
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 or know
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 more than
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 you or
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 can use
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 bigger words
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 than you
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 but here
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 we are
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 seeing
00:29:15 --> 00:29:17 that the
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 thing that
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 saves you
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 is not
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 your
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 knowledge
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 knowledge
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 is not
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 your level
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 of understanding
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 it's God's
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 knowledge
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 of you
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 it's God's
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 knowing of
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 you
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 it's God's
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 choosing of
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 you
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 it's God's
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 loving of
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 you
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 and so that
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 means that as
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 we begin this
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 series we can
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 take away that
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 burden of I
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 need to reach a
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 point of
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 knowing a point
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 of understanding
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 a point of
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 knowledge of
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 this trinity
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 thing to
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 really be a
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 Christian
00:29:43 --> 00:29:45 what God
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 is saying
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 is I
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 know you
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 I love
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 you
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 I know
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 you inside
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 out and
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 I've still
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 chosen to
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 love you
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 even though
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 I know
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 everything about
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 you there is
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 nothing that
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 could stop me
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 from loving
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 you and so
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 your knowledge
00:29:57 --> 00:29:59 of him is
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 just a gift
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 that he has
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 given you
00:30:01 --> 00:30:03 the reason it
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 is worth
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 wrestling with
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 things like the
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 trinity is
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 because in the
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 character of
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 God just like
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 Spurgeon encourages
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 us and like
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 scripture shows us
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 we find comfort
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 when we're alone
00:30:12 --> 00:30:14 we find strength
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 when we are weak
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 we find healing
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 when we are sick
00:30:17 --> 00:30:20 our knowing of
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 God is a gift
00:30:21 --> 00:30:23 because he saved
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 us not something
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 that in some way
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 could earn his
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 saving for us
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 it matters that
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 we wrestle with
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 the character of
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 the God that we
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 follow and serve
00:30:32 --> 00:30:35 because he is the
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 one who will
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 shape us to live
00:30:36 --> 00:30:38 life the way he
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 has designed it
00:30:39 --> 00:30:41 it's God's
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 knowledge that
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 saves us
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 and our
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 knowledge of
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 God is merely
00:30:46 --> 00:30:48 a gift for
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 our joy
00:30:49 --> 00:30:51 for our sake
00:30:51 --> 00:30:53 that we might
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 know the God
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 who is love
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 that we might
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 know the God
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 who is hope
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 that we might
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 know the God
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 who is so far
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 above and beyond
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 our understanding
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 that sometimes it
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 hurts our head
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 to think about
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 that is God's
00:31:04 --> 00:31:06 gift to give
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 us access to
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 the greatest
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 thing that there
00:31:08 --> 00:31:10 is himself
00:31:10 --> 00:31:13 as we move
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 into this series
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 over the next
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 few weeks I
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 want to encourage
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 you that in the
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 times where maybe
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 you're feeling a
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 little bit
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 overwhelmed or
00:31:19 --> 00:31:21 discouraged please
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 persevere
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 please put up your
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 hand if you've got
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 questions please let
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 us know if you're
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 struggling to
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 understand things
00:31:27 --> 00:31:29 because the point
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 of wrestling with
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 who God is is
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 not to know
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 stuff is not to
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 show off but is
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 that all of us
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 might have our
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 lives changed
00:31:36 --> 00:31:38 is that all of
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 us might as we
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 get to know God
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 better love him
00:31:40 --> 00:31:42 more and feel
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 loved by him
00:31:43 --> 00:31:45 more might grasp
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 more of just the
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 lengths that he
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 went to just how
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 amazing it is that a
00:31:49 --> 00:31:51 God who is one and
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 three at the same
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 time would choose to
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 become human for us
00:31:54 --> 00:31:57 the goal is that he
00:31:57 --> 00:31:59 gets glory and that
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 we progressively become
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 more like his son
00:32:01 --> 00:32:06 I'm going to pray for
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 us and then in just a
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 second Danny's going to
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 continue for us
00:32:08 --> 00:32:14 Father God we
00:32:14 --> 00:32:16 acknowledge that there
00:32:16 --> 00:32:19 are aspects of theology
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 and there are aspects of
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 studying you and your
00:32:21 --> 00:32:23 character that are
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 intimidating and
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 maybe appear
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 abstract and
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 potentially even
00:32:27 --> 00:32:29 unhelpful but God
00:32:29 --> 00:32:31 give us the patience
00:32:31 --> 00:32:33 and the perseverance to
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 push through in those
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 moments and to
00:32:35 --> 00:32:37 recognize that there is
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 nothing better than
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 knowing you
00:32:39 --> 00:32:41 Lord keep us from
00:32:41 --> 00:32:44 settling for a less
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 version of you than
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 the one that you have
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 revealed in scripture
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 and in your son
00:32:48 --> 00:32:50 Lord as we come up
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 against things that we
00:32:51 --> 00:32:53 don't understand give us
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 the humility to
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 acknowledge it and to
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 ask for your help
00:32:56 --> 00:32:59 God and I pray that the
00:32:59 --> 00:33:01 result of looking at you
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 as Father Son and Holy
00:33:02 --> 00:33:04 Spirit will be that we
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 are more confident in the
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 forgiveness you have for
00:33:06 --> 00:33:08 us more confident in the
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 love that you have worked
00:33:09 --> 00:33:12 in Jesus and more excited
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 to love and serve you with
00:33:13 --> 00:33:14 every minute that you give
00:33:14 --> 00:33:17 us Father we thank you for
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 your word and pray that by
00:33:18 --> 00:33:20 it you might show us
00:33:20 --> 00:33:22 yourself more clearly and
00:33:22 --> 00:33:24 might change and shape us
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 that we might shine you
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 into a world that doesn't
00:33:26 --> 00:33:26 know you
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 Amen
00:33:27 --> 00:33:35 have a selfish dream
00:33:35 --> 00:33:35 all right
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 って awesome
00:33:36 --> 00:33:49 tom