First Sunday after Pentecost - Holy Trinity

 Sermon Text: Romans 5:1-5

 Other Readings: Number 6:22-27 and John 16:12-15


 

  1. This Sunday’s readings were selected because they especially highlight the doctrine of the Trinity, that our God is three persons in one God. It’s easier to see that teaching in our sermon text and in our Gospel reading (John 16:12-15)? But where can the teaching of the Trinity be seen in Numbers 6:22-27?
     
  2. Paul uses the word justified, and it’s a word that’s important not only in the Book of Romans but throughout his other epistles. What does the word justified mean? And in spiritual contexts, what is the basis for the word?
     
  3. What did Paul know about God producing perseverance, character, and hope, especially when a Christian is suffering? Confer Acts chapter 17.
     
  4. Paul says that we hope to receive God’s glory, and that this hope will not put us to shame because we will receive it. When you think of God’s glory, what comes to mind?

 

  1. The teaching does not seem to be explicit, but many point out that the teaching of the Trinity is probably implied in the threefold repetition of the blessing. The LORD, a very special name God has given himself, is repeated three times, perhaps an implied reference that our God is three in one.
     
  2. To be justified means to be declared not guilty. In God’s courtroom, we are declared not guilty of our sins. This verdict is made on the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are declared “not guilty” because of what he has done for us, as received through faith in him.
     
  3. Paul endured much suffering, both in Acts 17 and throughout the Book of Acts. Through it all, he saw God’s love and grace at work through the promises and words God had given him. We can read about Paul’s perseverance, character, and hope especially in his letters to Timothy.
     
  4. Answers may vary on personal perspective, but that’s because books like Revelation (especially the closing chapters of Revelation) give us so much to think about in regard to God’s glory in heaven. When we do think about this and meditate on it, we must go to Scripture. We dare not come up with our own ideas of what our God-given glory ought to look like.