Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:5-9
The Godhead
Intro.
1. Knowledge of God is essential for our faith and faithfulness, Gal 4:8-9.
2. We can only know about God what He has revealed about Himself, Rom 1:19.
3. God Almighty has identified Himself as One God, Deut 6:4.
4. God has revealed Himself as three persons that compose the one God (Godhead), Matt 3:16-17.
5. Godhead: “the essential being or the nature of God” (Easton’s Dictionary):
a. Acts 17:29: The Divine Nature” (NKJV), the Deity.
b. Rom 1:20: “the whole of that by which God is constituted” (ISBE).
c. Col 2:9: Emphatic declaration: Everything without exception that makes up the Godhead (totality of Godhood), dwells in Christ bodily.
I. THE GODHEAD: Elohim (Gen 1:1, 26), YAWH (Jehovah, Exo 3:13-15).
A. The Father: God (Deity), Jno 8:42 (Rom 1:7).
1. Not seen by man in His full essence, Jno 1:18.
2. The source of all authority, Jno 17:1-2 (Matt 28:18).
B. The Son: God (Deity), Jno 8:58; Rom 9:5.
1. The Word, Jno 1:1, 14 (Matt 1:23).
2. Has revealed the Father, Jno 1:18; 14:9; Col 1:15.
C. The Holy Spirit: God (Deity) Acts 5:3-4; 2 Pet 1:21.
-Identified as Jehovah, Jer 31:31—Heb 10:15-17; Isa 40:13-14—Rom 11:33-35.
II. THE UNITY OF THE GODHEAD.
A. Total and Complete Unity, Jno 10:30; Eph 4:4-6.
1. Unity of mind, purpose, love, judgment, Jno 5:19-23.
2. Godhead: All the divine attributes, Jno 5:18; Heb 9:14.
III. THE DISTINCTIONS WITHIN THE GODHEAD.
A. A Willing Chain of Authority Exists in Order to Accomplish Human Redemption, 1 Pet 1:2.
1. Father—Son—Spirit, Jno 14:28; 1 Cor 11:3; Jno 15:26; 16:13-15.
2. This does not appear to be eternally so, cf. Jno 1:1; 17:5; Phil 2:6.
3. When redemption is complete in heaven, (God) Deity will forever reign, 1 Cor 15:28 (Rev 21:22-23; 22:3-5).
B. The Father: Authoritative Planner, Jno 17:4 (cf. Eph 1:3-4).
1. Possesses all authority, Matt 28:18; 1 Cor 15:24-28.
2. Sent the Son, Gal 4:4; Jno 8:16, 18 (17:3).
3. Sent the Holy Spirit, Jno 14:26.
C. The Son: Executes the Father’s Will, Jno 3:35; 4:34; 9:4; Heb 2:9-10 (10:5-7).
1. Willingly submitted to the Father’s authority to serve and save mankind, Phil 2:5-8 (Matt 20:28).
2. Given authority over all flesh to accomplish redemption, Jno 17:2-4; Matt 28:18-20.
3. Sent the Holy Spirit, Jno 15:26.
D. The Holy Spirit: Comforter, Revealer, Confirmer and Sanctifier.
1. Comforter to the Apostles, Jno 14:16-17.
2. Revealer and Confirmer of God’s truth (gospel), Jno 16:13; 15:26 (Heb 2:4).
3. Sanctifier of mankind, 2 Ths 2:13 (1 Pet 1:2; Jno 17:17).
IV. WHAT THIS MEANS TO US.
A. Our Faith Must be Put in the True and Living God for the Salvation of our Souls, Acts 14:15; Jno 8:23-24; Heb 11:6.
B. We must Love the Lord Completely, for He Alone is God, Matt 22:37.
1. Bless and praise the Father for His wisdom, power, love and grace in Christ through lives of faith, Eph 1:3-4; 3:14-15; 1 Pet 1:3-5.
2. Honor the Son by fully submitting to His authority, Matt 28:18-20; Col 3:17.
3. Respect the Holy Spirit by fully obeying the truth He has revealed and confirmed and by which He sanctifies us, Heb 12:25; 10:26-29.
4. cf. Israel, Deut 6:4.
a. “Israel” (prince with God; rule with God): Israel reigned with the one true God by obeying His in faith (Deut 10:12-22).
b. The church of Christ reigns with God in Christ by walking according to His word and will, Gal 6:16; 1 Pet 2:9-12.
C. We Must Put Our Trust in the Everlasting God, Isa 40:27-31; Jno 14:1-6.
Conclusion
1. We serve a great God; there is no other!
2. To Him we must fully yield; to Him we must give complete loyalty, worship and obedience.
3. To Him and Him alone can we go for salvation from our sins.