Trinity of Trinities

Introduction:
“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Scripture reveals God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today we consider two earthly “trinities”—human nature and God-centered marriage—to behold the unity and beauty of the divine Three-in-One.

The Trinity Revealed
Jesus declared, “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30) The church confesses one God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is mystery, yet God gives patterns that help us grasp unity with distinction—creaturely reflections that point beyond themselves to His nature and glory.

Made in God’s Image and Likeness
“In Our image, according to Our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) Scripture presents the dignity of humanity in two directions: we bear God’s image and we reflect His likeness. Throughout the Bible, man is addressed as a unified person who has spirit, soul, and body. (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; 1 Thessalonians 5:23) These aspects are distinguishable yet inseparable in daily life.

The Human “Trinity”: Spirit, Soul, and Body
God calls us to love Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength—our whole person. (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37) The inner life is renewed by His Spirit; the mind is transformed by His truth; the body presents living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23) Distinct aspects, one life devoted to the Lord.

A Threefold Cord: God in Our Relationships
“Two are better than one… and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12) When God is the third strand, companionship strengthens, courage rises, and perseverance grows. The presence of the Lord supplies wisdom, comfort, and power as brothers and sisters bear one another’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:5–6)

Marriage as an Earthly Picture of Divine Unity
“Therefore a man shall leave… and the two shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Marriage is covenant union under God. In Christ, husbands love sacrificially and wives respect faithfully, reflecting the mystery of Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:22–33; 1 Corinthians 11:3) Husband + wife + God forms a cord that endures.

Grace That Carries Through Trial
God upholds weary hearts when strength is gone. He grants like-mindedness, patience, and comfort so that with one mind and one mouth we glorify Him. (Romans 15:5–6) In seasons of grief, guilt, or confusion, laying our burdens at His feet keeps the strands bound and the covenant steady.

Why These Reflections Matter
These earthly trinities never explain away the mystery of the Godhead, yet they tutor our hearts: real unity does not erase distinction; true distinction does not break unity. As we live whole-heartedly before God and keep Him central in marriage, we witness to the beauty of Father, Son, and Spirit.

Trinity of Trinities Sermon Outline

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Genesis 1:26; John 10:30

Theme: Understanding the divine Trinity through two earthly reflections—the human trinity (body, mind, spirit) and the marriage trinity (husband, wife, God).

I. The Mystery of the Trinity

• The Godhead is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; John 10:30)

• Three distinct persons, yet one divine essence.

• Beyond human reason but revealed through Scripture. (1 Corinthians 2:10–11)

• Our goal is not to define God but to know Him as He reveals Himself.

II. The Human Trinity – Body, Mind, and Spirit

• Created in God’s Image and Likeness (Genesis 1:26)

  • “Image” (tselem) refers to physical form; “likeness” (demooth) to inward nature.

   

• Three parts, one being:

  • Body – Physical life, through which we act.

  • Mind (Soul) – Thought, emotion, and will.

  • Spirit – The eternal part that communes with God.

   

• Scriptural support:

  • Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength.”

  • Matthew 22:37 – “Heart, soul, and mind.”

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Your whole spirit, soul, and body.”

• Just as God’s nature is unified in three, so we reflect that unity within ourselves.

III. The Relational Trinity – The Threefold Cord

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 – Two are better than one; a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

• God designed relationships to find strength in His presence.

  • Without God, human bonds fray and fail.

  • With God, they endure trial, temptation, and tragedy.

• Friendships and families grow stronger when centered in Christ.

IV. The Marriage Trinity – Husband, Wife, and God

• Genesis 2:24 – “The two shall become one flesh.”

• Ephesians 5:22–33 – Marriage mirrors Christ and the church.

  • The husband’s role: loving leadership (Ephesians 5:25).

  • The wife’s role: respectful submission (Ephesians 5:24).

  • God’s role: sustaining, sanctifying, and uniting the two (Romans 15:5–6).

• Marriage is the living example of divine unity in distinct persons.

  • When husband and wife walk with God, their union becomes one—strong, enduring, and sanctified.

   

V. Lessons from the “Threefold Cord”

• God strengthens every union when He is the third strand.

• Trials and tragedies test every relationship, but faithfulness to God holds it together.

• A God-centered home withstands the storms that destroy worldly marriages.

• Every believer should strive for unity with God in every relationship—personal, marital, and spiritual.

VI. Application

• Examine your personal “trinity”: Is your spirit right with God?

• In your relationships, is God the third strand holding you together?

• In marriage, is the Lord at the center, guiding both husband and wife?

VII. Conclusion

• God reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three in one.

• Humanity mirrors this unity in our design and in godly marriage.

• A threefold cord—God woven into our lives—will not be easily broken.

• Draw near to Him and let His Spirit bind your life and home together in eternal strength.

Call to Action:
Offer your whole person to the Lord—spirit, soul, and body. Invite God to be the binding strand in every relationship, especially your marriage. Seek His grace, follow Christ’s pattern of love and holiness, and yield to the Spirit’s work so your life becomes a clear witness to the unity and beauty of the Triune God.

Key Takeaways:

• God is one, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (John 10:30)

• We reflect God’s image and likeness in a whole-person life before Him. (Genesis 1:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

• God’s presence is the third strand that strengthens relationships. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Romans 15:5–6)

• Marriage under Christ pictures covenant unity that endures. (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22–33)

• Grace sustains through trial as believers glorify God with one mind and one mouth. (Romans 15:5–6)

Scripture Reference List:

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 — Two are better than one; the threefold cord endures.

• John 10:30 — Jesus affirms unity with the Father.

• Genesis 1:26 — Humanity made in God’s image and likeness.

• Deuteronomy 6:5 — Whole-hearted love for God.

• Matthew 22:37 — Heart, soul, and mind devoted to God.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — Spirit, soul, and body sanctified.

• Romans 12:1–2 — Present your bodies; be transformed in mind.

• Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another’s burdens.

• Romans 15:5–6 — Like-mindedness and united praise by God’s help.

• Genesis 2:24 — One-flesh union in marriage.

• Ephesians 5:22–33 — Christ and the church as the marriage pattern.

• 1 Corinthians 11:3 — Order in relationships under God.

Prepared by Scott Perkins of the church of Christ at Granby, MO