God's Coaching #67

God's Coaching #67

Three’s a crowd, or so the saying goes. But after a flurry of major roster moves in 2010, the Miami Heat hoped its “Big Three” would fill the team’s trophy case with championship hardware for years to come. Regardless of whether the team flopped or flew, the 2010–2011 NBA season was all about Miami’s collection of superstars—LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. In the prior off-season, the Heat had

• re-signed Dwyane, its franchise star who had helped bring an NBA title to South Beach in 2006;

• traded for LeBron, Cleveland’s No. 1 overall draft pick in 2003; and

• signed Chris as a free agent.

Never before in NBA history had such a talented trio agreed to join forces on one team. At the time of the talent merger, LeBron and Dwyane were six-time All-Stars, while Chris was a five-time All-Star. LeBron was also the two-time reigning league MVP. With all three players at age 28 or younger when they combined their talents, the future looked awfully bright for Miami and its Big Three.

What’s the Score?

By basketball standards, the Heat’s Big Three were pretty impressive. But the Bible talks about three persons who are infinitely greater: the Holy Trinity. The triune God of Scripture is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. They are all mentioned in a number of Scripture passages, including today’s verse, 2 Corinthians 13:14.

While understanding the Trinity can be difficult, this teaching is vitally important for every Christian. Perhaps the best way to define the Trinity is this way:

1. God is three persons.

2. Each person is fully God.

3. There is one God.

Each person of the Godhead has distinct and separate functions. God the Father spoke the words of creation and planned our salvation by sending Jesus into the world. Jesus’ primary role was to be our sin bearer. And the Spirit gives us new spiritual life and helps us to grow in godliness. Despite their unique roles, all three persons of the Trinity are fully God. Any attempt to say that Jesus or the Spirit is not fully God is a serious error. Although there is much more to understand and learn about the Trinity, we should acknowledge that we serve one God, in three persons, and that he is awesome!

On the Ball

To learn more about the Trinity, read Bible passages such as Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Peter 1:2, and Jude 1:20-21.

Coach’s Comment

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14