The Church Class #9 November 5, 2013

Introduction The Holy Trinity is a mystery. I cannot understand God by my mind but by my spirit. Knowledge of the Holy Trinity must come by revelation.

Knowing the Holy Trinity And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3) Eternal life is not a place but a person. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25)

Why do I struggle to know the Holy Trinity? 1) I must expand the cup!

How to Experience the Holy Trinity? Read Ephesians 5:22-32 I can experience the Holy Trinity through the Church Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15

Group Exercise Read Acts 2:42-47 Come up with at least 4 characteristics of the early church

The Church has 4 characteristics The Church is ONE 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:21-23

The Church has 4 characteristics The Church is HOLY that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” 1 Peter 1:15

The Church has 4 characteristics The Church is CATHOLIC (universal, whole, complete) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Colossians 3:11

The Church has 4 characteristics The Church is APOSTOLIC 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The Creed We believe in one God, God the Father the Pantocrator… We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God… Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the Life-Giver… In one, holy, catholic, apostolic Church we confess one baptism for the remission of sins…

“Anyone who leaves the Church of Christ behind cannot benefit from the rewards of Christ. Such people are strangers, outcasts, and enemies. You cannot have God as Father unless you have the Church as mother. If any had been able to escape outside Noah’s Ark, there might have been a way of escape for those who are outside the Church.” There is only one Church, and outside its bounds salvation is impossible: Outside the Church there is no salvation” (St. Cyprian: ‘On the Unity of the Catholic Church’). Also see Joshua 2:18-19 No Salvation Outside the Church

True Life The Church is the living body of Christ In the Church, I receive the mysteries (sacraments) of God which lead to LIFE (salvation)

What is a sacrament (mystery)? A sacrament is an invisible grace through a visible means 7 Major sacraments 1. Baptism 2. Chrismation (Confirmation) 3. Repentance & Confession 4. Eucharist 5. Marriage 6. Priesthood 7. Unction of the sick “Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars.” (Prov 9:1)

Why do I struggle to know the Holy Trinity? 2) I have not seen the correct icon of the Holy Trinity

So what is my role? Participate in the life of the Church  Be a Church! Be a Church for my family Be a Church for those outside See Matthew 22:36-40 See Col. 1:24

So what is my role? Be watchful! “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered” Zechariah 13:7

St. John Chrysostom on “The Church” The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins. Nothing is so joyous in our life as the thanksgiving that we experience in the Church. In the Church, the joyful sustain their joy. In the Church, those worried acquire merriment, and those saddened, joy. In the Church, the troubled find relief, and the heavy-laden, rest. "Come," says the Lord, "near Me, all of you who labor and are heavy-laden (with trials and sins), and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

St. John Chrysostom on “The Church” What could be more desirable than to meet this voice? What is sweeter than this invitation? The Lord is calling you to the Church for a rich banquet. He transfers you from struggles to rest, and from tortures to relief. He relieves you from the burden of your sins. He heals worries with thanksgiving, and sadness with joy. No one is truly free or joyful besides he who lives for Christ. Such a person overcomes all evil and does not fear anything! -St. John Chrysostom