Trinity Sunday

SERMON - Jesus Christ Is Our Lord and Savior! That confession implies...

INI

Text: Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, dear fellow redeemed:

You can find them in barrooms—their age does not really matter. A young woman laughing with her friends after quite a few drinks and scanning the dance-floor looking for someone with whom to hook-up, or an older man sitting alone at the end of the bar crying in his beer because his neglected wife of forty years left him. You can find them in boardrooms—their sex does not really matter. A middle-aged man or woman who has worked hard to get to the top of a particular profession, only to find out that “the top” is not quite as fulfilling as was expected. You can find them in classrooms—teachers sharing their views about moral relativism and scientific reasoning, and students shedding what they are told are primitive religious beliefs. Who am I talking about? I am talking about those many, many people in our society who do not have faith or whose faith is misplaced—individuals who, at the end of the day and often as they near the end of their lives, find themselves alone, afraid, confused, uncertain, and living without a meaningful purpose.

My dear friends, the concept of a Trinity Sunday calls upon us to make a confession—a confession of faith in the one, true God. When you and I believe in the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we know that we are not alone; we know that we need not ever be afraid; we rid ourselves of confusion and uncertainty as we listen to and apply God’s word; and our lives are filled with meaningful purpose! As we consider, then the words of our text, I would urge all of you to join me in confessing that JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR! That confession implies three things: Jesus has authority over our lives; Jesus gives direction to our lives; and Jesus is present in our lives!

I.

Yes, Jesus has authority over our lives! Our text begins: “And Jesus came and spoke to them (His disciples), saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” Lest anyone misunderstand, we should note that Jesus, according to His divine nature, has always possessed “all authority…in heaven and on earth.” It was only according to His human nature that He was “given” that authority by His heavenly Father. Jesus, therefore as both true God and man, possesses “all authority…in heaven and on earth.”

Unbelievers resist and reject that concept! Man by nature does not want to be under any authority apart from his own. When Moses asked Pharaoh to let God’s people go, he responded: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go!” (Exodus 5:2) When King Nebuchadnezzar stood on his palace roof in ancient Babylon, surveying the capital of his empire he said to himself: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30) It took the destruction of his horses and chariots in the Red Sea to bring Pharaoh to his knees. It took the loss of his mind to bring spiritual sanity to Nebuchadnezzar.

We do not have to look back to Old or New Testament times, however, to understand mankind’s resistance to the authority of Jesus. We need only look into our own sinful hearts. How often have we ourselves not resented the commands given us by God’s representatives in our lives? How often have we not chaffed under the commands God gives us in His Word? We do not like being told what to do, or when to do it! We like to think of ourselves as being free and independent! But, the truth of the matter is that Jesus has authority over our lives!

That truth can be and is intended to be a comforting thing for us! Jesus illustrates that intended comfort by comparing His relationship with us to that of a shepherd with his sheep. Even as a shepherd watches over, protects, provides for, and directs his sheep, so Jesus watches over us, protects us from all harm, provides those things that we need for both our bodies and souls during this life, and also directs our lives through the teachings of His Word. It should be a comfort for us to know that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God in heaven above (cf. Ephesians 1:20). There with complete authority, Jesus exercises His power. He can and has defeated Satan and his evil hosts. Jesus’ angelic hosts serve Him by protecting us. With complete authority Jesus also has power over our every earthly foe. He can and does “work all things together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). We need not fear, but only trust and all will be well!

II.

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR! That confession implies, secondly, He gives direction to our lives! Jesus says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” This one statement fills the lives of all believers with meaningful purpose! It does not matter what career path you choose. It does not matter where you decide to live. Every child of God is directed to “make disciples of all the nations” while they are “going” about their lives. A “disciple” is someone who knows, believes in, and follows someone else. We are to lead people to know Jesus. We do that by our words and by our actions. We are to provide them with the gospel message through which the Holy Spirit can and will lead them to faith. We are to set a good example for them of godly living and thereby assist them to grow in their faith, so that they will follow Jesus with faithfulness.

Jesus says we are to “baptize” and to “teach.” We are to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” God has promised us: “In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you” (Exodus 20:24b). By commanding us to baptize people “in the name” of the Triune God, Jesus records His name and thereby fulfills His promise. When we baptize a small child ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” the Triune God comes to that child and blesses him. The Creator and Preserver of the universe, the Redeemer of all of mankind, and the Sanctifier who cleanses from sin and instills strength, hope, and joy through the gospel comes with His blessing!

As we teach, and notice that we are to teach people “to observe all things” that Jesus commanded, we bring messages which will enlighten and inspire individual souls. It is God’s love alone that can liberate a soul dominated by hate. It is Christ’s sacrifice that motivates a soul to humble itself and forgive. It is the Spirit’s presence with His fruits that strengthens and equips anyone to do that which is right and pleasing in our God’s eyes.

Consequently, let us follow the directions Jesus gives us in our lives. Let us do so, parents, with our children. Let us bring up our children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). That takes time and effort, but it is well worth it! Let us seek to provide help for those who are in need, for thereby we testify to the presence of faith within our hearts and therein we will find opportunities to share God’s truths. Let us with humility admonish the erring, so that sin does not take over control of their lives and lead them in paths of self-destruction. Yes, let us listen as our Lord gives direction to our lives!

III.

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR! That confession implies, finally, He is present in our lives! Jesus concludes our text with His very familiar promise: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” The word “always” means literally “all of the day!” In other words, there is never a time when Jesus is not with us!

My dear friends—think about what that means for each of us on a practical basis! Children—should you ever become lost, you are not alone. Oh, yes, your parents are not with you for that moment, but Jesus is there with you. When you go to bed and worry about monsters under that bed or monsters in the closet, you are not alone—Jesus is with you. Talk to Him. Ask Him to take you by the hand and lead you and keep you safe!

Dear young people—as you seek to discover who you are in the Lord, Jesus will be with you. He, together with the Father, has created you as a unique person and planned a life of purpose and meaning for you. He will not forsake you, as you seek to discover the path He has chosen for you. Go to Him in prayer. Seek His direction. He will open and close various doors of opportunity. If you genuinely want His help, it will not be lacking. As you seek to find that person with whom God wants you to spend your life, seek His guidance. Do not follow the ways of the world and look simply at the outward beauty of a young woman, or the rugged handsomeness of a young man. Seek to know their hearts. Look for evidence of their faith. When temptations come into your lives, turn to Jesus and seek both guidance and strength to overcome those temptations and to remain pure both in body and in heart.

For those of us who are in our adult years Jesus’ presence is likewise a comfort. When major career and family decisions must be made, we are not alone. Jesus is not a disinterested bystander yawning at the prospects of either failure or success on our parts. Take your concerns to the Lord in prayer. He is there to listen. Is it time to begin a family? Should on consider the possibility of adoption? Should one take the promotion which will relocate the family? Ought we sell the house and move to another? Will we find a new job after being laid off from the last one? These are all questions of life—questions that all bring their own set of concerns. We are not alone, but have a Savior standing beside us—eager to help and desiring to bless us.

And, yes, as we grow older and the physical and financial and spiritual challenges of age begin to mount, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus is with us at all times. We do not sit in the waiting rooms at the clinic alone. We do not consider the choices of living arrangements, whether to remain independent, or to enter assisted living, or moving to a nursing home—alone. No, Jesus gives us family and friends to help us, but even more important—He gives us Himself.

My dear friends—our confession that JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR has tremendous implications for our everyday lives! He has authority over us, He gives direction to us, and He is always present with us! May we rejoice in those truths, which bring us joy, confidence, and hope! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting
To God alone be the glory!