1. The foundation for community – the Trinity Eph.4:1-6 1. The Trinity – a revelation of God’s heart a. There is one God b. There are 3 persons in the Godhead c. Each person is fully God

2. 1:1 A revelation a. O.T. revelation - The emphasis is THERE IS ONE GOD Dt.6:4,5 - Hints at plurality – Gen.1:26; Is.6:8 - Word/Wisdom, Spirit – Gen.1:3; Pr.8:30,31; Ps.139:7,8; 104:30 - Angel of the Lord – Gen.16:7-13; Ch.18; Ex.3:2-4; Judges 13

3. b. N.T. revelation The understanding that there is a plurality of persons in the One God comes with:- 1. The coming of Jesus 2. The outpouring of the Spirit The One God, Yahweh, is now known as the Father, Son & Holy Spirit – Mt.28:18-20; 2 Cor.13:14; Eph.4:4-6 It is a revelation we don’t fully comprehend

4. 1:2 A revelation of God’s heart The Bible declares “God is love” – 1 John 4:8,16 a. The eternal love in the Godhead – John 17:24 b. The love of Creation c. The love of the Gospel

5. The love of the Gospel It is at the Cross that we see most clearly the Triune nature of God:- 1. The Son offers himself as the sacrifice for sin – it is costly – Mk.15:34 2. The Father shows the sufficiency of the sacrifice as:- - The Temple curtain is torn –Mt.27:50,51 - Jesus is raised

6. 3. The Spirit:- a. Enables Jesus to offer his sacrifice – Heb.9:14 b. Confirms Jesus’ divinity through the resurrection – Rom.1:4 c. Makes Jesus & his sacrifice real to us – John 16:8-11

7. 2. The foundation & model for community a. Foundation 1. We are created in God’s image – Gen.1:26,27 2. New creation in Christ – Eph.4:4-6 a. The Spirit puts us in one Body – v.4 b. Experience salvation through Christ v.5 c. Come into a relationship with God the Father – v.6; Rom.8:15,16

8. b. Model for community Human character 1. Proud – superior - hard to submit to others God’s character 1. Humble – sacrificial service – Mk 10:45; John 13 No rivalry – the father & Son honour each other – John 5:17-23. The Spirit honours the Son – John 16:13-15

9. Model for community Human character 2. Individualistic – create our “World” - Afraid to be too open in case we lose our identity God’s character 2. Communion – rich, joyful intimacy - Total openness to one another - Perfect working together - Unity & Diversity

10. Model for community Human character 3. Selfish – concerned for our interests - Blind to the needs of others God’s character 3. Overflowing love - Reaching out to include others - Meeting human need at personal cost