We often hear of God the Father and God the Son, but what about that forgotten third member of the Trinity – God the Holy Spirit?

God is Three in One – perfect relationship. Father, Son, Spirit all together in perfect loving unity – yet with distinctive purposes.

So, Who is this third member? Who is God the Holy Spirit?

The HS has always existed with the Father and Son. And we get glimpses of the HS at work in the OT.

At Creation, coming upon specific people at particular times for particular purposes.

But in the NT, something changes…

John 16:7-15

⁷ But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ about sin, because people do not believe in me; ¹⁰ about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; ¹¹ and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Here, Jesus makes a promise that he will not leave us alone. After he dies, rises, and ascends to heaven, he will send someone to help us.

This is the Holy Spirit.

Notice that Jesus says it is actually good for him to go away!

Even though the HS has always been around, now the HS is being sent to be with us at all times in every place for every person that opens their life to him.

Jesus has given his followers a mission that is too large and too important for them to try and accomplish on their own.

The Holy Spirit focuses on 2 things:

To Convict

Verse 8

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ about sin, because people do not believe in me;

Have you ever felt convicted of something?

That’s not just your conscience…

The HS is at work convincing and convicting everyone about “sin” (not just sins, but SIN as a general state of being)

He is at work convincing everyone of Jesus’ righteousness – the truth that Jesus is the perfect and only way to God the Father.

He is at work convincing everyone of the future judgment that awaits us.

A good example of the Holy Spirit at work is in Acts 2 when Peter preaches to the crowd about how Jesus was the Messiah and yet they did not believe, and how he was crucified, resurrected and glorified, and how there was a future judgment.

We are told that: When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

That was the Holy Spirit working to convince and convict people so that they would come to Jesus.

This may be a bit of a stretch, but think back to the parable of the Prodigal Son. We are told that when he reached his low point that he “came to his senses”. Perhaps we can think of the HS always at work in the world trying to get people to “come to their senses” and come running home to God.

To Help

Back to verse 7

 it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you

This is the Holy Spirit’s primary role as a member of the Trinity – to be with us and within us to help us live the life and fulfill the mission.

How does the HS help us?

Jesus calls him “the Advocate”, other translations: “the Counselor”

Greek: Paraklētos – The Helper

The Greek understanding of this word is that of a friend that came alongside you to advise, help, strengthen, and encourage you.

Jesus calls him “another Counselor” (Jn 14:16) – in other words, just as Christ was with the disciples, the HS now serves as the one who is beside us, leading us and strengthening us.

• (14:17)  Jesus says he will not only be with us but also be in us.
• (14:26) Jesus says the HS will “teach us all things and will remind us of everything Jesus said”
• (16:13) when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth

Ultimately, the HS seeks to bring glory to Jesus by leading us and helping us in our lives to live fully for God.

So, God the Holy Spirit is now with us to help and guide the Christian and to convince and convict the whole world (even us at times) in hopes that everyone will run to Jesus.

God’s BIG VISION is to reconcile the world to him – to fix the broken relationship.

That’s why Jesus came, and that’s why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit.

Jesus did the necessary work of announcing and demonstrating the Kingdom of God, offering himself as a sacrifice and making a way for us to be reconciled to our Heavenly Father.

Now the Holy Spirit picks up on this mission and is at work drawing people everywhere by convincing and convicting them and then by helping and guiding them once they make Jesus their Lord.

God loves us SO much, that’s why the Holy Spirit has been sent to be with us.

We haven’t been left alone.

And that is GOOD NEWS!

….

Who are we? We are “in Christ”.

The Apostle Paul says that God was “in Christ” reconciling the world (2 Cor 5:19)

So, Who is God? God is Jesus Christ – reconciling the world.

Now, who are we in relation to that?

The Bible says,

• We are “in Christ” serving as ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:20)
• We are together, one body “in Christ”
• We are made alive “in Christ” (Colossians 2:13)

The phrase “in Christ” is a popular one in the NT.

Paul uses it some 200 times.

A variety of uses and meanings. But, a primary usage is to describe what we are – “in Christ”

It’s his “favorite term to describe the personal and dynamic relation of the believer to Christ”

What does it mean for us to be “in Christ”?

Colossians 3:1-17 gives us a clear picture of what it looks like to be “in Christ”.

¹ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

• Since then you have been – a challenge to live out what you are
• “been raised” – refers to the resurrection of Christ by God’s power (2:11-12)
• Set your mind and heart – seek it out, strive for
• Your life is now hidden with Christ in God – our life is now united to Christ, so when Christ returns in full glory, our true self will be fully revealed.
  • For now we live in the reality of who we are in Christ
  • Our identity will be confirmed when he comes

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^[b]  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

• We must actively put to death these things

⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

• Not just the practices, but our very self – the old self
• In Christ, we have put on a new self – like a new set of clothes
• Being renewed – remember last week; God is now re-creating us and it is according to his perfect image – Jesus Christ
• In Christ, we no longer hold on to status, reputation, prestige, whatever accomplishments that used to define us – together we are in Christ and that’s all that matters now.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

• This is what the new self which is being renewed and re-created, the new clothing looks like

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

• Being in Christ is not a solo – lone ranger way of life, we are meant to do it together
• This is what our life together should look like

¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• Here is a simple summary of how we ought to approach everyday life
• “In the name of Jesus” – do it as Jesus would do it, representing him

God was in Christ reconciling the world

Now, Christ is in us

We are ambassadors and messengers of reconciliation

But we need to be reminded often of these truths.

At the Lord’s table, we receive the reminder that God took on flesh and blood and willingly sacrificed himself for the reconciliation of all things

At the table, when we eat and drink, we are reminded that Christ is now in us – nurturing us, filling us, giving us the power we need to put off our old self and put on the new self and live together as one in Christ.

Who is God? God the Son, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1-3

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

God is Father and because of his tremendous love he comes to us in the Person of Jesus – the Son of God.

He has spoken to us by his Son

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory

We are also told in John 1 that Jesus is the Word of God.

In other words, he tells us/shows us by his life, what God is like.

So if you ever wonder what God is like – Look to Jesus.

Why did God come in this way?

Why the “incarnation”?

Why the Father and Son?

As we seek to understand more clearly, we look to Scripture and particularly we can look to Philippians 2

Philippians 2:1-11

This song (or a variation of it) was likely sung by early Christians as their way of expressing and affirming their belief in who Jesus was and is.

• Not only did was it their expression of what they believed, but it also helped to shape their belief

In this passage, we discover core truths that help us understand who God is.

Breaking it down:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

• Jesus is God
• Did not hold on to this power in a selfish way, for his own benefit
• Chose humility – became human
  • Why?
    • It is in God’s very nature to love and give of himself

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

• Jesus was a real human being – the Word made flesh as John 1 says
• It wasn’t enough just to become a man
• He had to humble himself all the way to death – He was at the top, but willingly went to the bottom
  • Why?
    • Because of the debt that humankind owed – death because of sin

• Jesus – the Perfect God in human flesh, was the only suitable sacrifice
• We needed something much more than just someone giving us good teaching, we needed to be redeemed and reconciled and that had a cost – death.

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

• Because of Jesus’ obedience to the will of the Father, because of his humility, he was exalted to the highest place – his rightful place.
• God opposes the proud, but exalts the humble.
• Jesus overcame death and is now at his rightful place.
• All of this brings glory to God the Father.

What does this tell us about who God the Son is?

What does this mean for us?

Look to the beginning of this passage…

• • “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”
  • Jesus shows us that it is in God’s very nature to think of others, to be willing to humble our self for the sake of others, to have such love that we don’t hold onto our pride or our reputation or our status, but that we freely give those things up for others so that God will be glorified.
  • This is the attitude, the mindset that God wants his people to have
  • He is recreating us, his people who have chosen to follow Christ, into his image – and we see in the person of Jesus (who is the perfect image of God) that a central part of God’s nature is self-sacrifice and outgoing-love.

To the Table…

At the table, where we gather to receive communion, we are reminded clearly of this self-sacrifice and love.

In the bread, we are reminded that Jesus “took the form of humanlikeness”

In the cup, we are reminded that Jesus “was obedient to death on a cross”

In these simple ordinary elements of bread and juice, that are re-created into holy reminders, we are again reminded that God is re-creating US according to his perfect image.

Luke 15 verses 21 – 24

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

• The son thought he would come back and work for his father as an employee, a slave. “At least I’d have food and shelter”, he thought to himself.

• The father immediately re-instated him, not as a servant, but as a son

• Human way of thinking: slave

• God’s way: son

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” ― A.W. Tozer

If we think of God as a harsh, vindictive, and vengeful God than we will live with a “slave mentality” – the mindset the prodigal son had when he was returning home.
If we think of God as the loving, generous, and patient Father that Jesus teaches us he is, we will learn to live with a “son mentality”

(side note: this doesn’t mean that God the Father is a big push over….)

“Slave mentality” versus “Son mentality”

Galatians 4:4-7

• What are some key words?
• What’s the Main theme: In Christ, no longer slaves, but sons

As a Christian, we have been adopted into God’s family and have been made one of his sons or daughters.

Understanding that God is our Father and that our core identity is as one of his sons/daughters is foundational to how we will live our life.

The Temptation of Jesus – Matthew 4:1-3

• “If you are the Son of God”
• This was Satan’s first and second attack at Jesus.
• He was attacking Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
• Why do you think he did that?
• Do you think that Satan still attacks us in that way?

But, God says that we are sons/daughters and it is out of that truth that we must learn to live.

Romans 8:15
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

• What does Paul say that we are no longer? slaves

• What does Paul say that we are now? Sons

• How then should we live? not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. slaves fear, sons love.

Augustine: “The fear of slaves, although it renders belief to the Master, contains no love of righteousness but only the fear of damnation.”

As God’s children, how can we now approach God?

• Abba, Father – Aramaic term used by Jesus to address his Father.
• An intimate term used by children to their father – not formal and stiff, a term of love, trust, and affection
• We can now come to the Father the same way Jesus did!

How this should impact our life:

• If our life does not live up to our voice that calls God “Abba, Father” then we end up insulting God
• As if the prodigal son, after being welcomed home, decided to go back out and do the same things we was doing
• It would be like taking the love of the Father and throwing it back in his face
• God, our Abba Father, wants to transform us by his love so that we live as adopted sons fully devoted to him in our love

God our Father, out of his extravagant generosity, invites us to come to him not as slaves, but as adopted and loved sons/daughters!
It’s not by anything that we have done, it’s purely the love of the Father.

It’s an invitation we can accept of reject. But, God wants us in his family and at his table to feast and fellowship with the whole Trinity and with all of our new brothers and sisters.

Topic for next week:

Who is God? God the Son, Jesus Christ.

Scripture for next week:

• Philippians 2:5-11
• Hebrew 1:1-4

Main Topic: Who is God? God is Father

Main Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)

Quick Notes:

• “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” ― A.W. Tozer

• When we are apart from God, we are centered on our self. To be a Christian is to have our identity centered in God – so we have to start with God.

• The question: Who is God? is one of the BIG questions and we’re not going to have it all figured out in a few discussions. In fact, we’ll never fully have God “figured” out  – He’s beyond us.

• God is knowable though, because he has chosen to reveal himself to us. He reveals himself to us because he wants us to know him.

• The Bible is one of the main ways God reveals himself to us and so it is one of the main ways we discover the answer to the question, Who is God?

If God is Father, what kind of Father is He (based on this parable)?

• Compassionate
• Merciful
• Forgiving
• Unconditionally loving
• Prodigal – extravagant in the way he celebrates the return of one of his children

Next Week: If God is our Father, who are we in relation to that truth? Primary Scriptures: Luke 15:11-32, Galatians 4:4-7

Stay tuned!