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Overflow: How the Joy of the Trinity Inspires our Mission
What does the Trinity have to do with missions? As it turns out . . . everything . Too often, we put theology in one part of the Christian life and missions in another—and they never meet. A doctrine like the Trinity belongs in the “intellectual� realm, while missions belongs with the “practical� parts of life. Or so we think. But is that really the way it should be? Michael Reeves wants you to understand that the doctrine of the Trinity has everything to do with the practice of missions. When a Christian sees the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as divine persons who are so full of love that it radiates and overflows into creation—and into the lives of human beings—our perspective on missions is radically changed. No longer is missions an obligation or a drudgery. Instead, realizing the abundance of love that goes forth from God, we who have received and delighted in such love are motivated to go forth as well. Let the radiance of God’s triune beauty capture your heart. Then God’s great mission won’t be a chore, but will naturally overflow from your joyous delight in Him.
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2021
15 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Michael Reeves
73books547followersMichael Reeves (PhD, King's College, London) is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in the UK (). He is Director of the European Theologians Network, and speaks and teaches regularly worldwide. Previously he has been Head of Theology for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and an associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2025
The way in which Reeves speaks about and writes on the Trinity truly overflows with joy. He makes me want to know God more fully and deeply. Yet, the main argument of this book is that our knowledge should cause action—namely, the desire to speak much of this Triune God. Our evangelism shouldn't come from a dry well overshadowed by guilt but from a gushing fountain of joy. This should be required reading for any church member interested in missions. Or, better yet, anyone skeptical of missions or apprehensive to evangelize.
April 10, 2025
“The story of Creation, the story of Mission, is a story of glory.� Overflow, page 41.
Great read. Focuses on the story of scripture, the glory of Jesus and the wonder of the God-head. Beautifully and simply written.
(The shortness of the book and all the second-person references give it a personal, fun, lecture style quality. “Do you understand?� “Can you imagine with me?� “Let’s have a look�)
Planning to read more of Reeves books ☺️🎯
Great read. Focuses on the story of scripture, the glory of Jesus and the wonder of the God-head. Beautifully and simply written.
(The shortness of the book and all the second-person references give it a personal, fun, lecture style quality. “Do you understand?� “Can you imagine with me?� “Let’s have a look�)
Planning to read more of Reeves books ☺️🎯
April 3, 2023
2nd time through. Short, powerful, completely “right-headed.� Probable an annual read for me.
March 12, 2024
A helpful and accessible book that demonstrates how the motivation for the Christian Mission is not duty, but love. Reeves argues that the root of this love is found in the triune God. Because God has always existed as a trinitarian God, therefore He has always loved, even before He ever created the world. This is shown in the love that the different persons of the trinity had for each other. The fact that God is trinitarian is what makes Him love. This love overflows to us, and drives us to share this God with the world.
June 24, 2023
A good little book. Reeves does ramble a little bit here and there. But there's some good stuff, especially around the end of chapter 1 through to the end of chapter 3 and the end of chapter 4.
It's always worthwhile to read books that discuss the doctrine of the trinity and its effects on the Christian's life.
It's always worthwhile to read books that discuss the doctrine of the trinity and its effects on the Christian's life.
October 24, 2021
Gorgeous nuggets of ideas, but chaotically laid out in patronising & conversational prose.
The basic gems are - that every facet of the gospel is a Father-Son-and-Spirit act; that only a Trinitarian God is worth worshiping - all others are lonely and grasping or petty and competing; that all mission is just a continued outflow of God’s intrinsically relational love. Mission is not a new ‘thing� we do now, post-Jesus - God has been missional since the very first outpouring of creation. We share and shine like he does, inviting others into his glory.
Just disappointingly and distractingly rambly.
The basic gems are - that every facet of the gospel is a Father-Son-and-Spirit act; that only a Trinitarian God is worth worshiping - all others are lonely and grasping or petty and competing; that all mission is just a continued outflow of God’s intrinsically relational love. Mission is not a new ‘thing� we do now, post-Jesus - God has been missional since the very first outpouring of creation. We share and shine like he does, inviting others into his glory.
Just disappointingly and distractingly rambly.
July 25, 2023
Truly Overflowing
The title of this book is perfect. As I read, I could see the beauty of the Trinity overflowing in my life, and from my life. Without the Trinity, we are indeed lost. What glory! What a God!
The title of this book is perfect. As I read, I could see the beauty of the Trinity overflowing in my life, and from my life. Without the Trinity, we are indeed lost. What glory! What a God!
December 12, 2024
Very short and digestible. I would say this is a good entry level book on the Trinity, provided a pretty basic understanding specifically for people looking for ways to engage with people on the topic who aren’t as familiar. Made me go, “aww yessss� at some points, and skim through at others.
October 19, 2024
I love how accessible Reaves writing is! Will definitely be reading more of his books after this!
April 18, 2024
Hallelujah! This book made me smile, and laugh with joy at times. So refreshing, deep, and practical. Applicable for every child of God.
July 22, 2021
If you've ever tried to explain the Trinity to someone you'll understand the difficulty of such an endeavor. The Trinity is one of those topics I would always refer to as a mystery of God because you can't make someone understand it, it can only be revealed. Then I saw this book and was intrigued. The Trinity and missions are two words that I never would have coupled.
In this short treatise (less than 100 pages) Christian author, professor, and minister, Michael Reeves explains the Trinity beautifully and simply. He discusses how knowing, worshipping, and evangelizing the Triune God is a game-changer in missions. When we go and evangelize, knowing and having a deep fellowship with the Triune God ( not just God, but the son and the Holy Spirit as well) makes all the difference. The individual experiences radiance, power, and love when he/she comes to know the Triune God. Reeves explains the spiritual barrenness of worshipping a god who is not three in one. Because God the Father is pleased in sharing His glory with the Son and the Holy Spirit and in turn, with us. There is joy in knowing the three persons of the Godhead as it overflows unto others.
Favorite quote: "Mission is the outworking of God’s very nature. Before we ever did anything for Him, this God comes and gives His life away for us. So mission does not start with something we do, but with something done for us" (p. 48).
This is probably the best little book on the Trinity. But don't read it in one sitting, read it slowly and savor and meditate on it.
I received a complimentary copy from Moody in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
In this short treatise (less than 100 pages) Christian author, professor, and minister, Michael Reeves explains the Trinity beautifully and simply. He discusses how knowing, worshipping, and evangelizing the Triune God is a game-changer in missions. When we go and evangelize, knowing and having a deep fellowship with the Triune God ( not just God, but the son and the Holy Spirit as well) makes all the difference. The individual experiences radiance, power, and love when he/she comes to know the Triune God. Reeves explains the spiritual barrenness of worshipping a god who is not three in one. Because God the Father is pleased in sharing His glory with the Son and the Holy Spirit and in turn, with us. There is joy in knowing the three persons of the Godhead as it overflows unto others.
Favorite quote: "Mission is the outworking of God’s very nature. Before we ever did anything for Him, this God comes and gives His life away for us. So mission does not start with something we do, but with something done for us" (p. 48).
This is probably the best little book on the Trinity. But don't read it in one sitting, read it slowly and savor and meditate on it.
I received a complimentary copy from Moody in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
October 7, 2021
Because Reeves is a Brit, I feel the need to say something Britishlike in this review. So, I’ll simply say, “This is a little gem of a book.� Reeves is one of my favorite living theologians and thinkers. He oozes the love of the Father as he unfolds deep theology in some of the simplest of ways. Much of what he writes in this book comes out in Delighting in the Trinity. That’s probably the reason I give it only 4 stars, but this short treatise on mission is worth your time. “May the love of Christ Himself, who is the Incarnate Word, be the sustenance of your soul. Then, in the darkness of this love-hungry world, those who are full of God’s love, full of light, are like beacons of hope.�
October 13, 2021
Wow! This book packs a lot of punch for a short work on the Trinity inspiring our mission to make disciples in the world around us. Michael Reeves has an extraordinary way of eloquently speaking truths that are deeply understandable. My favorite part was the chapter that felt like Screwtape Letters from C.S. Lewis, with the author looking at a world that was void of the Triune God we serve. It gave me the chills and reminded me of how grateful we need to be for a creator God that is a sustainer with grace as well. I want to do a better job of presenting to those that I minister to with the idea of the Trinity that guides all the areas of your life. I would highly recommend that everyone get this book and reads it soon!
May 25, 2023
Michael Reeves has become a favourite author. I will read anything he has written. He combines what I call the best of the British Renewal and a winsome, joyous approach to following Jesus. He is an academic, but a wonderful pastor as well - at least in his writing.
His style is engaging and down to earth. His content inspiring.
There are lots of similarities between this book and Delighting int he Trinity, but this is a little more specific and useful for encouraging people in their walk with the Spirit of God.
His style is engaging and down to earth. His content inspiring.
There are lots of similarities between this book and Delighting int he Trinity, but this is a little more specific and useful for encouraging people in their walk with the Spirit of God.
June 9, 2023
This short book is written in a conversational prose, which makes it enjoyable to read, though some may not appreciate the lack of formality. The premise of the book is simple: A 3-in-1 God is a major reason why He overflows with love for His people, and why He is a God who graciously gives, not demands, One that motivates the Christian life by love, and not by guilt. I appreciated this emphasis throughout the book, since I am one who is more prone to obey God because of obligation and knowledge, rather than from overflowing love and gratitude towards Him. His arguments when arguing against a single-person God are not air-tight, but nevertheless worth considering.
The book is times is remiscent of John Piper's mantra that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him, and that a Christian's goal is not missions, but worship. That is the Christian's end goal is to ultimately bring in more joyful worshippers of God into the Kingdom. Ultimately, I would read this book again, as there are many wonderful nuggets to glean from it.
The book is times is remiscent of John Piper's mantra that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him, and that a Christian's goal is not missions, but worship. That is the Christian's end goal is to ultimately bring in more joyful worshippers of God into the Kingdom. Ultimately, I would read this book again, as there are many wonderful nuggets to glean from it.
September 7, 2021
I was excited to read this because Reeve’s “Delighting in the Trinity� was so good. This book, too, did not disappoint. How lovely that God has forever existed in relationship and on mission - a mission of overflowing love! I only gave it 4 stars because Chapter 3 was a little dry for a short spell; but Chapter 4 came roaring back with so much gospel that my heart was saturated. Thankful for Reeve’s work here.
January 16, 2024
If you haven't read anything by Michael Reeves start with Delighting in the Trinity. Excellent! The book Overflow is an 'overflow' from this classic above. The style is as if it were transcribed from a series of preaches...very conversational. Worth the read but a repeat of much of what he wrote in Delighting in the Trinity, though with a more practical missional/evangelistic emphasis. I will read anything by Michael Reeves. Truly refreshing, brilliant theologian.
September 3, 2021
Between this and “Delighting in the Trinity�, I cannot decide which is better. In this short book, Reeves puts the understanding of the Trinity from his first book to use. The ramification of the Triune Godhead does prescribe our behavior.
January 27, 2023
This was interesting. I was not quite in sync with the author. I do recommend it for comparisons of a triune God versus a single nature God. It does give a clearer picture of the Trinity. Which was very helpful.
March 13, 2024
yes yes and yes! short, quick and straight to the point, that the very nature of the Triune, relational God means He is loving and worthy of our praise.
love when you finish books and they point you back to Jesus! this book came at the perfect time.
love when you finish books and they point you back to Jesus! this book came at the perfect time.
September 4, 2021
Easy to read, clear explanation of the Trinity.
April 5, 2022
Reeves, yet again, has succeeded to stir my heart and affections for Christ as he pointed me toward the Triune God of the Bible.
April 1, 2023
This book is small. It is only four chapters long but the picture the author helps flesh out of the Triune God is absolutely beautiful and magnificent.
August 2, 2024
Delightful. The Trinity inspires and drives love and life.
November 5, 2024
Lazy. 😕
July 24, 2021
Beautifully written, as always from Michael Reeves.
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