WORSHIPING THE TRIUNE GOD.

BIBLE PORTION:
Genesis 1:1-28
2 Corinthians 13:11-14
John 1:1-18

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:
2 Corinthians:14
INTRODUCTION:
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, warm greetings to you all on this Trinity Sunday.

In 2 Corinthians 13:14, the Apostle Paul is seen explaining the Triune God. The week following Pentecost is observed as Trinity Sunday by the Protestant churches. Though the essence of the doctrine of the Trinity is found in the Holy Scriptures, it was the Church Father Tertullian who first used the term "Trinity." Understanding the concept of the Triune God may be somewhat challenging, but with God’s help, we can surely comprehend it.

For example:
Water = Water
Ice = Water
Steam = Water

Father = God
Son = God
Holy Spirit = God.

There are Biblical References which show the concept of Trinity. In Genesis 1:26, the phrase “let us make” (נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה) "in our image" (בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ) and in Genesis 3:22, the phrase "like one of us"מִמֶּ֔נ ) are mentioned in the plural form. This indicates that more than one person was present during the creation event. The Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew 28:19, commands baptism to be given "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." In 2 Corinthians 13:14, the Apostle Paul refers to the Triune God. Thus, the concept of the Trinity is mentioned in several places in the Scriptures. With this understanding of the Triune God revealed in the Scriptures and actively working in our lives, let us reflect on two fundamental questions:
1. Why should we worship Him?
2. For what purpose should we worship Him?

1.WORSHIP THE TRIUNE GOD THE WORD (John 1:1):
In this scriptural passage, the disciple John describes the Word as God. Every word that proceeds from God possesses His nature and is, in essence, God. Formless worship is one of the distinct features of Christianity. The Creator of the world cannot be confined to a physical form. Therefore, the very word of God has been given to us. When God created the world, He did not use a magical wand or rely on any external object. Instead, He created everything from nothing through His powerful words. That is why we refer to the words in the Scriptures as God's words. The Scriptures themselves affirm this
(2 Timothy 3:16). We have gathered here to worship such a powerful God.

If the words spoken by people in positions of authority hold so much value, how much more should we recognize the worth of God's words—the very words by which He created the heavens and the earth with His mighty power and brought blessings to many through His divine mission? In Hebrews 4:12, the author of Hebrews defines God's words as living and life-giving. Dear people of God, do we truly value such living and powerful words? We often hold for years onto words spoken in anger, nurturing resentment and hostility. If we can remember words that can destroy a person and relationships, have we given the same value to the living words of God?

Dear people of God, our words should reflect God. As those who believe in the life-giving and powerful words of God, are we careful with our own words? The words that come from our mouths may give life and comfort, not hurt others. Valluvar expresses this beautifully.

"Thīyināl suṭṭa puṇ uḷḷākum
Āṟātē
Nāviṉāl suṭṭa vaṭu."

Meaning: If we wound someone with fire, the injury will eventually heal. But if we wound someone with words, the scar may remain for a lifetime.

Yes, Church, as we follow the living words of the Triune God, we must also be mindful of our own words.

2.WORSHIPING A GOD WHO IS THE SOURCE OF LIGHT:
"The world cannot exist without light" is an ancient proverb of our ancestors. All living beings in this world need light to live and thrive. From a scientific perspective, the reason plants grow upward is that they grow toward the light coming from the sun. Just as light is essential for a healthy life, we too need it to live well in this world. Even today, infants are exposed to the morning sunlight because the 'vitamin D' obtained from sunlight is highly beneficial for them.

God Himself created light as His first creation. From this, we can see that He gave great importance to light in His creation. Not only that, but He is also the light. That is why our Lord Jesus Christ declares Himself as “Light” in John 8:12 and 9:5:

"I am the light of the world."

Why does God reveal Himself as light? How should we live in dependence on Him? The answer to both these questions is that we must walk in the light. One of the most important functions of light is to dispel darkness. When there is no way, God reveals the path through His light. Just as He led the Israelites with a pillar of fire, He continues to guide us through His divine light.

Having received the blessings of light from the Triune God, we must not remain as we are. John 1:9 says, "The true light that gives light to everyone is coming into the world." This means that the light of Christ should not only penetrate us but also reflect through us. Darkness allows all kinds of evil to prevail, but light prevents evil from taking hold.

Dear people of God, the pure and sinless light of Christ within us is not meant to remain just within us. In this world filled with the darkness of evil, God has given us light through Christ so that we may shine and live for Him. We have gathered here to worship such a God.

3.WORSHIPING A GOD WHO IS THE SOURCE OF LIVING WITH VIRTUES:
Living with good virtues in this world filled with evil is a great challenge. However, the Triune God, as light within us, will guide us on the path of righteousness.

When God created humans, He created them as a good and virtuous being. Not only that, but He also gave them the freedom to discern between good and evil. However, humans misused this God-given freedom and fell into sin. At that moment, when it seemed impossible for humanity to return to its original state, when humans were trapped in complete darkness and incapable of living a virtuous life, Jesus Christ came into this world as the light to remove sin and guide humanity toward righteousness.

God the Christ, who is the embodiment of virtues, demonstrated love, forgiveness, mercy, and fear of God through His life. Dear people of God, let us also worship the Word, our God, and remove the darkness from our lives. Let us bear the light and live with good virtues. Amen!

©2025, I. Ananda Balakrishnan

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