Dear Christian friends:

A young lady asked her mother: "What religion is God?" That's a good question: Is God Lutheran or Methodist or Catholic or Mormon? As you probably know, God does not belong to any certain faith. He is God above all denominations.

Perhaps what the young lady really meant with her question is this : "What does God say about Himself?" God is like what?"

In the Bible God tells us about Himself. He teaches that He is a Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. One God three persons joined in One God.

Today is Trinity Sunday. All faiths who believe that God is a Triune God keep this day. So also we Lutherans keep Trinity Sunday. There are many in the world who laugh and mock at that teaching about the Trinity God. Also many churches in our country deny that teaching. Even our own reason can't understand it. We can only accept it by faith.

Therefore we need to attend to that teaching again today and be impressed with this wonderful truth that:

Our text shows us that this is true and what this truth should lead us to do. In our text we read that after Jesus' resurrection the eleven disciples went north from Jerusalem to Galilee, to a mountain place where Jesus had told them to go before His crucifixion. Then one day Jesus came and appeared to them. Some worshipped Him and some doubted, couldn't believe that He who had died was arisen and alive again. Jesus scolded them because of their stubborn doubt and then said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Therefore, go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Jesus said baptize in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. These words of Jesus show clearly that God is Triune, One God, but three persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. In the name of that God we must teach and baptize all nations.

Also the baptism of Jesus shows this very clearly: After John the Baptizer had baptized Jesus in the Jordan river, God the Father spoke from a cloud saying, "This is My beloved Son, hear Him." Then the Holy Spirit in a dove flew down on Jesus' head. Here we hear the Father in a cloud, the Son standing on the river bank and the Holy Spirit coming on Him in a dove.

Although man's mind and reason can't understand the Triune God, that is the very plain teaching of the Bible. We must not listen to men's arguments against that teaching, but listen only to God's Word and believe it as little children. Jesus told His disciples don't listen to the brilliant reasonable arguments of men, but believe My Words: "Except you become as little children, you cannot go into the kingdom of God."

Now we have seen the teaching of the Holy Trinity is true Bible teaching, not a strange idea of a few preachers. Now what should this teaching lead us to do?

First, it should encourage us not to join with religious clubs or lodges who do not teach that God is Triune. Also is should encourage us to speak and defend this teaching against those false churches who criticise it and mock it.

And chiefly it should encourage us to believe it ourselves and work harder to teach this wonderful triune God to others who do not yet know Him: The Father who made us, the Son who died for us and the Holy Spirit who teaches us and leads us to believe. That's exactly what Jesus tells us to do her in our text:"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

This means supporting missions, praying for God's blessings on our mission all over the world. Studying church papers to know the problems and needs of our world wide mission work, so we can pray better and support better.

This means also personal witnessing. Lay visiting. (tell about Mr. ______, the converted gambler) And to encourage us to believe and teach the Triune God Jesus promises:"I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."(verse 20)

Although it is a hard life believing and serving the true God, nevertheless we should not fear but remember that Jesus this Triune God is with us in every trouble and work.

Amen.