June 16, 2019 Trinity Sunday

What does the word “amen” mean? Because we say it at the end of our prayers and hymns, sometimes it seems to mean only “the end, the finish.” Actually it means “true, certainly, yes, yes, it shall be so.”

What does the phrase “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” mean? Because we say it at the beginning of our worship service or before the sermon, sometimes it seems to mean only “the beginning, let’s start.” Actually the phrase is filled with the power and authority of God, and so it is appropriate to explore the power and authority today on this Trinity Sunday.

We find this Trinitarian phrase in Matthew 28. [18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."] Everything that the church does when it baptizes and teaches is done with the command and authority of Jesus Christ, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

And so when we start our worship service with these words, it proclaims that we are following Christ’s command to teach and preach and perform the sacraments. We have the permission and authority to do so. Jesus further blesses us with his promise, Mt. 18:20, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Also, when we start “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” it boldly proclaims that we are worshiping the one and only true God. It is a confession of our Baptism faith and promise.

These words also call us out from worldly things and call us into heavenly things. We are called out from our daily routine, away from our work, from our hobbies, from our obsessions, and from our sin and failures. We are called into the presence of the Holy and Almighty God. Here he blesses us, forgives us, and gives us salvation.

To do something in the “name of something or someone,” is to act in the authority of that something or someone. In old movies there was the line, “I arrest you in the name of the Law.” There was an old TV series about the Royal Mounted Police in Canada. The Mounty would say, “I arrest you in the name of the Queen.” And there is even an old song, “Stop, in the name of love, before you break my heart.” An arrest warrant or search warrant is signed with the name of a judge, thereby giving authority to the police action.

In the worship service, when the pastor says the words of forgiveness after our confession, he says, “Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the () Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The pastor is just doing what God has commanded and authorized.

At the beginning of a sermon, I always like to say, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” I say that for my self as a prayer. I pray that what I am about to say will be true and faithful to God as revealed in the Holy Bible. It is a prayer that the Holy Spirit will give me wisdom and winsomeness and clarity to proclaim and preach the Law and Gospel. I hope that this Trinitarian Invocation will give you confidence in what you are about to hear. And I hope you will pray with me that it will be good sermon. What makes a good sermon? I do not know any good stories or jokes. Besides they do not translate into Japanese. We say in the Lutheran Church that a good sermon distinguishes Law and Gospel and proclaims both Law and Gospel. The Law shows us our sin and drives us to want salvation. The Gospel gives us that salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God’s Name is Who and What He is. It is God’s work description, his reputation. God’s name is so important that it is one of the Ten Commandments. It is so important that we pray that it be kept holy in the Lord’s Prayer.

The Second Commandment　　　You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

The First Petition　　　　Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean? God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God's name kept holy? God's name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

So, finally, as both the Commandment and Prayer teach, not only our worship, but our daily lives should be lived “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We should live our Baptism. God’s name is holy and almighty, therefore, with boldness and confidence we “call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.”

Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor.13:14)

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church

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