Untitled Sermon (2)

Main Point: Christ will come again, and we know this because He has revealed a glimpse of His glory and His Word has been supported and will be completely fulfilled.

V. 16

(a) For we did not follow cleverly devised myths

What is a myth?

Modern thinking would say a lie.

Ancient thought look at myths as stories that may not necessarily be true, but are valid because they carry important lessons.

There are many in the past century who have sought to understand the bible this way.

This is not how Peter describes their teachings.

(b) when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty

Peter and the apostles did not claim they were referencing a myth. They were eyewitnesses to His majesty. Paul aslo mentions the significant amount of eyewitnesses that saw Jesus after his resurrection in 1 Cor 15.

Why does this matter?

Christ was a real person.

The major points of our faith are not mythical stories, but instead are historical events. If they are just stories then there was no real atonement made by Jesus.

So what did this eyewitness account look like?

V. 17-18

(17)For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”

Matt 17:1-12

Peter refers to this moment as Christ receiving glory and honor.

This is because when Christ transfigured before them, Peter and and the others saw a glimpse of who Christ truly was.

It is also because God the Father speaks and declares that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Peter goes on to say that this was no myth. This isn’t some clever little story but he and the others witnessed it happen.

They saw the glory of Jesus, and heard the Father speak and it terrified them.

So what does this have to do with the second coming of Jesus?

Peter mentions this point because what he, James, and John witnessed that day was a small glimpse of what Christ will be like when He comes again.

And Peter doesn’t stop with jsut this eyewitness account, but He points us back to scripture.

V. 19

(a) And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed

There experience on the Mountain gave new meaning and bolstered the apostles confidence that one day God would actually restore all things.

There glimpse of God’s glory on the mountain pointed them to the reality of Jesus’s second coming, thus Peter is reminding the people that we have God’s Word.

Specifically here Peter is reminding us of the prophesies that God has made to judge the world.

But we must also remember that God has also already fulfilled so many in Christ’s first coming.

Jesus’s death and resurrection, along with everything else He has done reminds us that we serve a God who is faithful, and that the Word He has given us is trustworthy.

(b) to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts

A lamp in a dark place should bring our mind to Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:105 ESV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

God’s Word is our guide in this present age. We cannot know and follow Him without it. It informs all of our beliefs and practices, and will be our guide until Christ returns.

But how do we know we can trust the Word?

V. 20-21

(20)knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (21) For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit

God by His Spirit guided men to write His Word.

This is why the Bible is consistent, tells one story, and is truly so impactful.

The Bible was written by over 40 men, while at the same time having one ultimate author. This is why we can trust it, because it didn’t come from men’s imagination, but instead God has revealed Himself to us through His Son and His written Word.

Main Point: Christ will come again, and we know this because He has revealed a glimpse of His glory and His Word has been supported and will be completely fulfilled.

Discussion Questions:

The major events of Christianity actually happened in history, how is this different from other religions?

What are some ways that people try to attack the Bible? How can we respond?

Read 2 Timothy 3:16, why do you think all of scripture can be trusted and is useful for our lives?