Trinity Sunday // Romans 8:12-17 (NLT)

By Mark Jordan | May 26, 2024

A Message by Rev. Dr. Mark S. Jordan | Lead Pastor

Trinity Sunday

  • First Sunday after Pentecost to draw attention to the trinitarian nature of God.
  • The Father is God from the beginning (John 1:1); Jesus revealed Himself as equal to the Father in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” Together, they sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

Romans 8:12-17 (NLT) | 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Clip from Lilo & Stitch (2002)

The Roman Adoption Process:

  • All rights from old family forfeited
  • Life before adoption wiped out
  • Full rights of new family granted
  • Now seen as full child of new family

The Holy Adoption Process:

  • God the Father wants to adopt you into His Forever Family
  • Jesus cancelled the sin debt, so our old sin-life has no bearing on us anymore.
  • The Holy Spirit is the witness to our adoption into God’s Forever family.

Now…

  • God the Father claims you as His own.
  • You are a co-heir with Jesus and inherit the gift of eternal life – Jesus paid your sin-debt.
  • You are sealed by the Holy Spirit – a seal communicates ownership, protection, and a validation of the relationship.

Reflection Questions

    • What is the Holy Trinity? What are we to acknowledge on Trinity Sunday?
    • Reread our passage from Romans 8:12-17. What strikes you about the presence and power of the Holy Trinity in the Apostle Paul’s adoption metaphor?
    • What role does God the Father have in a holy adoption?
    • What role does God the Son have in a holy adoption?
    • What role does God the Spirit have in a holy adoption?
    Posted in Hope+ Content, Sermon Notes and Reflection Questions