This Week’s Theme
The Holy Trinity
2 Corinthians 13.11-14
(The Knowledge of the Holy [KOTH], Chapter 4)
In treating the mystery of God’s revealed nature as the Triune God, Tozer admits the depth of the mystery and lack of our human ability to properly comprehend the truth of it. “To meditate on the three Persons of the Godhead is to walk in thought through the garden eastward in Eden and to tread on holy ground. Our sincerest effort to grasp the incomprehensible mystery of the Trinity must remain forever futile, and only by deepest reverence can it be saved from actual presumption” (KOTH, p. 17). Still, he asserts that the Church has not failed to teach the doctrine of the Trinity, without pretending to understand its full meaning, simply because the Scriptures teach its truth. The Scriptures declare that the Father is God, that Jesus Christ is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. Yet, it also declares there is and has ever only been one God. As difficult as this may be for our human understanding, we cling to the word of the truth as the Spirit inspired the prophets and apostles to declare. As Tozer states, “What God declares the believing heart confesses without the need of further proof” (KOTH, p. 19).
Paul closed his message in his second epistle to the Corinthians by exhorting them, finally, to rejoice. He called them to aim for restoration, to comfort one another, to agree with one another, and to live in peace. He promised them, too, that the God of love and peace would be with them all. He closed his epistle with an acknowledgment of the working of our triune God, pronouncing a blessing, asking that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with them all. Paul’s blessing provides insight into the working and leading of each of the members of the Trinity, not only for them, but for all the world. The Lord and true God, Maker of the heaven and earth, has revealed himself as triune, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Paul prayed that the love of God, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit would ever be with the people of God.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
God of our fathers, enthroned in light, how rich, how musical is the tongue of England! Yet when we attempt to speak forth Thy wonders, our words how poor they seem and our speech how unmelodious. When we consider the fearful mystery of Thy Triune Godhead we lay our hand upon our mouth. Before that burning bush we ask not to understand, but only that we may fitly adore Thee, One God in Persons Three. Amen.
~ KOTH, p. 17
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Saturday: Jer. 25; 36; 45-46
Lectionary Readings
Psalm: Ps. 13
OT: Gen. 22.1-14
Gospel: Matt. 10.40-42
NT: Rom. 6.12-23
(Click here for all readings)
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
O Blessed Trinity!
O simplest Majesty! O Three in One!
Thou art for ever God alone.
Holy Trinity!
Blessed equal Three.
One God, we praise Thee.
~ Frederick W. Faber (KOTH, p. 23-24)
Affirmation for the Day
The work of creation, incarnation, and the resurrection are all attributed each to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Let the Father’s love, the Savior’s grace, and the Spirit’s fellowship be with all of us.
For Your Weekly Journey
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Self-Existence of God, Exodus 3.13-15
Book Reading
Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy