The Trinity by Rev. Kim Salo

Follow-up to “These Three Are One” sermon by Rev. Kim Salo, preached on January 15

Bible readings: Matthew 28:16-20;  2 Corinthians 13:11-14

#1. Read 2 Cor. 13:11-14

Paul’s 2nd letter to the church at Corinth ends with these words: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 

Considering that the church at Corinth was full of problems, how is Paul’s final prayer in his letter to them appropriate?
 
Which part of this verse do you need most right now: grace, love, or fellowship?

#2. Read Matthew 28:16-20

Christians are baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Why are we baptized into just one “name,” instead of three “names”?  

When you consider that these words were used at your own baptism, what does that mean to you now?

#3. When you pray, do you pray to the Father, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit, to all three, or just to God? 

Has that ever changed in your life, say from addressing prayer to God, to praying to the Father, or to Jesus Christ?

Why do so many prayers end with something like, “through Jesus Christ our Lord,” or “in Jesus name”?

#4. How would you begin to explain who God is to a non-Christian who asked you what you believe? In particular, how would you begin with a Muslim? A Hindu? An atheist?