Transfiguration Sunday

We must strive to remain faithful to God and reject worldly temptations to experience his transforming power.

Today, I want to talk about the importance of staying faithful to God and rejecting worldly temptations.

The world we live in today is full of temptations and distractions. Everywhere we turn, there are things that try to lead us away from God and His path for us. Whether it's material possessions, wealth, fame, or pleasure, these things can all be tempting and seductive. They can make us forget the truth of who we are and what we stand for as children of God.

However, as believers, we must remember that our ultimate goal is to remain faithful to God. This means rejecting the temptations of the world and putting our trust in Him alone. In doing so, we can experience the transforming power of His love and grace in our lives.

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" When we give our lives to Christ and stay faithful to Him, He transforms us from the inside out. He gives us a new heart, a new spirit, and a new identity in Him. This transformation empowers us to overcome the temptations of the world and live a life that is pleasing to God.

However, remaining faithful to God is not always easy. There will be times when the temptations of the world will seem irresistible, and we may feel like giving up. But we must remember that with God's help, we can resist these temptations and remain steadfast in our faith.

The Bible tells us in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." When we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, we are demonstrating our faith and trust in Him. We are declaring that He is our Lord and our Savior, and that we will not be swayed by the temptations of the world.

In conclusion, brothers and sisters, let us strive to remain faithful to God and reject worldly temptations. Let us put our trust in Him alone and experience the transforming power of His love and grace in our lives. May God bless you and keep you always in His loving arms. Amen.

1. God's Word is the source of our faith and salvation.

The source of our faith and salvation, which is the Word of God. The Bible says in Romans 10:17, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This means that it is through the Word of God that we receive faith and are saved.

The Word of God is a powerful and transformative force. It has the ability to change hearts and minds, to heal brokenness, and to bring hope and peace. When we read and study the Bible, we encounter the very voice of God, speaking to us and guiding us along the path of salvation.

The Word of God is more than just a book. It is the living, breathing message of God's love and grace. It is the expression of His will and purpose, and it contains all the truth and wisdom we need to live a life of faith and obedience. The Word of God is not just a set of rules or a moral code, but a treasure trove of divine revelation, filled with the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

So how do we tap into the power of the Word of God? How do we allow it to shape and transform us? The answer is simple: we must open our hearts and minds to it. We must read it, meditate on it, and allow its truth to take root in our hearts. We must be willing to submit to its authority and to be shaped by its teachings.

And when we do this, something amazing happens. We experience the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, leading us into a deeper relationship with God and helping us to grow in faith and knowledge. Our faith becomes strong and unshakeable, and we find peace and comfort in the midst of life's storms.

So today, I invite you to make the Word of God a priority in your life. Take time each day to read and study the Bible. Listen to what God has to say to you, and allow His truth to shape and transform you. For in the Word of God, you will find the source of your faith and salvation.

   A. Exodus 24:12-18 shows God's covenant with us.

In this passage, we see Moses ascend Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God. While he is there, God calls the people of Israel to the mountain and makes a covenant with them. The Lord says, "Come near me and listen to these words. I will make a covenant with you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."

This passage shows us that God's covenant with us is an agreement between God and His people. He promises to bless us and make us great, and in return, we are to listen to His words and follow His commandments. This is a promise that God has made with us and will keep forever.

The significance of this covenant is that it shows us that God is committed to us. He wants to have a close relationship with us and to bless us. He wants us to be great, and He is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. This is a reminder that we are not alone and that God is always with us.

Furthermore, this covenant also reminds us of our responsibility. We are to listen to God's words and follow His commandments. This is not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well. We are to be a blessing to others, just as God has promised to bless us.

The covenant that God made with us in Exodus 24:12-18 is a reminder of His love, commitment, and faithfulness to us. It is a reminder that we are not alone and that God is always with us. We are to listen to His words, follow His commandments, and be a blessing to others.

2. We must accept Jesus as our savior to experience true transformation.

We all seek guidance, seek comfort, and seek answers to the questions that have been plaguing our minds and our hearts. We are all looking for a way to find true transformation, to live a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and free from the pain and suffering that we experience every day. And, my dear friends, I am here to tell you that the answer to all of these questions lies in accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

The Bible tells us that God sent His only son, Jesus, to this world to save us from our sins and to bring us salvation. Jesus lived a perfect life, without sin, and was crucified on the cross as a sacrifice for all of our sins. He rose from the dead on the third day, overcoming death and making it possible for us to have eternal life.

It is only through accepting Jesus as our Savior that we can experience true transformation. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are born again, and our old self dies, leaving behind a new self, filled with the Holy Spirit, and empowered to live a life that is pleasing to God. We are no longer bound by the chains of sin and death, but are free to live a life of abundance and peace.

However, simply accepting Jesus as our Savior is not enough. We must also follow Him, living our lives according to His teachings and commands. We must love one another, just as He loved us. We must forgive those who have wronged us, and we must show compassion and mercy to all those in need.

The key to experiencing true transformation is accepting Jesus as our Savior and living our lives according to His teachings. When we do this, we will find peace, joy, and fulfillment in this life and in the life to come. So let us not wait any longer, let us accept Jesus into our hearts today and experience the true transformation that only He can bring.

   A. Psalm 2 illustrates the power of the Lord's anointed.

The powerful words of Psalm 2, which speaks of the Lord's anointed and the power that he wields. This psalm was likely written in a time of political turmoil and upheaval, when the people of God were struggling with their faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Yet, in the midst of this chaos and uncertainty, the psalmist reminds us of the one true source of power and authority: the Lord's anointed.

The psalm begins by describing the defiance and rebellion of the nations and the rulers of the earth against the Lord and his anointed. They scheme and conspire, seeking to overthrow the Lord's rule and establish their own power. Yet, despite their efforts, the Lord simply laughs and scoffs at their attempts. He is not threatened by their rebellion, but rather is amused by their foolishness and short-sightedness.

The psalmist then shifts his focus to the Lord's anointed, declaring that this chosen one has been given all authority and power by the Lord himself. The Lord's anointed is his chosen king, the ruler over all the earth. The psalmist states that the Lord's anointed will break the rebellious nations with a rod of iron and smash them like clay pots. In other words, the Lord's anointed will not be swayed or intimidated by the opposition, but will instead triumph over all those who resist his rule.

What can we learn from this psalm about the power of the Lord's anointed? First and foremost, we must recognize that the power of the Lord's anointed does not come from any earthly source. The anointed one does not achieve his power and authority through political maneuvering or military prowess. Rather, it is the Lord himself who gives the anointed one his power, for the Lord alone is the true source of all power and authority.

Second, we must also recognize that the Lord's anointed is not just a political figure or a military leader, but is also a spiritual figure. The anointed one is the one through whom the Lord accomplishes his will on earth. The anointed one is the one who brings the light of the Lord into the world, who spreads the message of salvation, and who guides the people of God into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the Lord.

Finally, we must understand that the power of the Lord's anointed is not just a power over the nations, but also a power over our own lives. The anointed one is the one who has the power to transform our lives, to heal our wounds, and to guide us into a new and better way of living. The anointed one is the one who can bring us peace and joy in the midst of the chaos and turmoil of life.

3. We must trust in God and reject worldly temptations.

The world we live in is full of distractions and temptations that can lead us away from our faith and our relationship with God. But as followers of Christ, we must strive to stay focused on what is truly important and reject anything that would take us away from our relationship with God.    A. Matthew 17:1-9 warns against worldly distractions.

In Matthew 17:1-9, we see a warning against worldly distractions. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and is transfigured before them. In this moment, the disciples see Jesus in a new light and are in awe of his glory. But just as quickly as this moment came, it was gone and the disciples were left to return to their everyday lives. This story reminds us that although we may experience glimpses of God's glory, it is easy to get caught up in the distractions of the world and forget what we have seen.    B. 2 Peter 1:16-21 encourages us to reject temptations.

However, 2 Peter 1:16-21 encourages us to reject temptations and to focus on our relationship with God. Peter reminds us that we have been given all we need to live a godly life and that we should not be led astray by false teachers or temptations of the world. We must hold onto our faith and trust in God, rejecting anything that would lead us away from him.

Conclusion and Application:

We must strive to remain faithful to God and reject worldly temptations to experience his transforming power. Let us strive to reject the temptations of the world and focus on our relationship with God. Let us trust in his goodness and his love for us, knowing that he will never lead us astray. May we live our lives in such a way that we reflect the glory of God and bring honor to his name.

May God bless you and keep you always in His loving arms. Amen.