A Glimpse of Glory
The Gospel of Mark • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
The purpose of the transfiguration was to reveal heaven’s glory. Heaven’s glory would strengthen Jesus to bear the cross and strengthen the disciples in their belief that Jesus was God’s Messiah. And this morning it should strengthen your faith too that Jesus Christ is Lord… He should be your Lord. As we learned last week, we are called to pick up our cross and follow him, a passage like this one here is given to us to strengthen your faith and help you to bear your cross and follow Jesus.
v. 2) Setting the Stage: the Mountain of Transformation
v. 2) Setting the Stage: the Mountain of Transformation
Jesus took three disciples with Him up a mountain. Why didn’t he take the other disciples? The answer isn’t give to us we can only speculate a guess.
Most tend to assume that Jesus took these three aside on this and other occasions because they were special favorites of the Lord. While, yeah, maybe. It could have also easily been because they were the three most likely to get into trouble, so He kept them close to keep an eye on them.
In reality, Jesus was spending the most time with these men because they were going to be important for the future of the church that would be established after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Jesus revealed more to theme three men than to the other disciples. They were with Him when He raised Jairus’ daughter, when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, and here on the mount of transfiguration.
These men were not aware of it yet, but they were to fill unique positions in the ministry.
Peter would be the leader of the early church, the one who was to open the door of the gospel to both Jew and Gentile after Pentecost.
James was called to be an apostle and to be martyred for his faith in Christ (Act 12:2)
John would write, arguably the most important Gospel we have, the epistles of 1 2 3 John, and would be the one who received the Revelation from God that closes out our Scripture.
Seek Intimacy with God—Just as Jesus led His disciples to the mountain for an personal encounter, you should seek quite time with God.
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Be prepared for revelation—Expect God to reveal Himself when you spend time in His presence.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Trust in God’s leading—Even when the journey seems unclear or difficult, trust that God is leading you to a deeper revelation of Himself.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
vv. 2–4) The Transfiguration: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
vv. 2–4) The Transfiguration: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
Jesus transformed right before the disciple’s eyes. Matthew’s gospel says Jesus’ face shone like the sun. For a brief time, Jesus took on an appearance more appropriate for the King of Glory than for a humble man.
This was not a new miracle, but the temporary pause of an ongoing miracle. I believe the miracle was Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying His glory.
“For Christ to be glorious was almost a less matter than for him to restrain or hid his glory. It is forever his glory that he concealed his glory; and that, though he was rich, for our sake he became poor.”–Spurgeon
Recognize Jesus’ glory—Jesus’ transfiguration reveals His divine glory. You need to worship and honor Him as the Son of God.
3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus transfigured before them was because He had told them that he was going the way of the cross:
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
and that spiritually they should follow Him in the way of the cross:
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
It was easy for them to lose confidence in Jesus after those negative statements. But now, as Jesus displayed His glory as King, the disciples could know that Jesus knew what He was doing. If He was to suffer, be rejected and killed, He was still in control. Pay attention to this though, Jesus dramatically showed the path of the cross is a path towards glory. The goal isn’t the cross, but what that path leads towards.
Elijah and Moses represent those who are caught up to God. Moses represents those who die and go to glory, Elijah represents those who are caught up to heaven without death (1 Thess 4:13–18).
They also represent the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). The sum of the OT revelation comes to meet with Jesus here.
How did the disciples know these two other men, were Moses and Elijah? Moses had died nearly 1,500 years before and Elijah was taken to heaven 900 years before. Yet! here they are, alive in glory before the disciples.
The disciples saw in front of them the evidence of life beyond this life. It gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim to resurrection.
Elijah and Moses were interested in the outworking of God’s plan through Jesus. They spoke about what Jesus was about to accomplish:
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Honor the Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets—Moses and Elijah symbolize the Law and the Prophets, which find fulfillment in Jesus. Family as you study the Bible you are going to see how everything points to Jesus Christ!
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Embrace the glory of Christ in your life—The same Jesus who was transfigured is alive in you today, empowering you to live for Him!
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
So what are we waiting for? He has given us a commission to fulfill:
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
vv. 5–7) Peter’s Reaction and God’s Voice: Earthly Thoughts and Heavenly Words
vv. 5–7) Peter’s Reaction and God’s Voice: Earthly Thoughts and Heavenly Words
When Peter saw Jesus in all His glory, he must have thought, “This is good! This is how it should be.” Word of advice… You will get into trouble when you speak like Peter, “Because he did not know what to say. Also right along with that Peter spoke out of fear too. You and aI can say many foolish things without thinking and out of fear.
“Peter was open hearted, bold, enthusiastic. To my mind, there is something very lovable about Peter; and, in my opinion, we need more Peters in the church of the present day. Though they are rash and impulsive, yet there is fire in them, and there is steam in them, so that they keep us going.”–Spurgeon
What Peter said was foolish because he put Jesus on an equal level with Elijah and Moses—one tent/tabernacle for each. But Jesus isn’t just another Moses or Elijah, or even just greater or better. He is the Son of God.
Let go of earthly distraction—Peter’s focus on building tents represents our tendency to focus on temporary solutions instead of God’s eternal plan for you life.
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Peter’s focus again was on temporary solutions. At this point the NT hasn’t been written yet. He doesn’t understand what God’s will was, what God’s purpose is, and God’s plan for them.
Let’s talk about it: God’s will, God’s purpose, and God’s plan.
God’s will is the same for every single believer. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Well God’s will for you is the same for each, because it concerns who you are in Christ. It revolves around your relationship with God.
Ultimately, the will of God for every believer is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
God’s purpose for creating mankind is to glorify and worship Him.
11 “You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
God is glorified as you accomplish His will through the life you live before Him.
God’s will for you is to (be):
Saved (2 Peter 3:9)
Soul Winner (1 Timothy 2:4; Mark 16:15)
Sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7)
Show Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Spirit filled (Ephesians 5:15–18)
Serve (Ephesians 6:5–7)
Submitted
government (1 Peter 2:13–15; Romans 13:1–7)
local church (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)
Suffer (1 Peter 3:17; 2:19–21)
God’s Plan for you concern what you do in Christ. This is not the same for every believer. It involves the specific direction God will give you.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
[IMPORTANT] God is more concerned for you to fulfill His will for you than finding out what His plan is for your life. Living in obedience is the first step to finding God’s will is for your life.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
The cloud came and overshadowed them: This is a familiar cloud, the cloud of the God’s glory traditionally know as the Shekinah.
It was the pillar of cloud that stood by Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22).
It was the cloud of glory that God spoke to Israel from (Exodus 16:10).
It was from this cloud of glory that God met with Moses and others (Exodus 19:9, 24:15-18, Numbers 11:25, 12:5, 16:42).
It was the cloud of glory that stood by the door of the Tabernacle (Exodus 33:9-10).
It was from this cloud that God appeared to the High Priest in the Holy Place inside the veil (Leviticus 16:2).
It was from this cloud God appeared to Solomon when the temple was dedicated, so filling the temple that the priests could not continue (1 Kings 8:10-11, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14).
It was the cloud of Ezekiel’s vision, filling the temple of God with the brightness of His glory (Ezekiel 10:4).
It was the cloud of glory that overshadowed Mary when she conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
It was the cloud of glory that received Jesus into heaven at His ascension (Acts 1:9).
It was the cloud that will display the glory of Jesus Christ when He returns in triumph to this earth (Luke 21:27).
From this cloud of glory the voice made it clear that Jesus was not on the same level as Moses or Elijah. He is the beloved Son—so hear Him!
Listen to God’s voice—In our passage God spoke audibly from the cloud, He is still speaking today. While it isn’t usually in the same way, we have been given the full counsel of God’s Word. And if you believe He has called you to something, and it goes against the Word of God; you didn’t hear from God.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
As impressive as this experience was, it in itself did not change the lives of the disciples as much as being born again did. Being born again by the Spirit of God is the greatest miracle, the greatest display of the glory of God ever!
“It is a better thing for a man to live near to Christ, and to enjoy, his presence, than it would be for him to be overshadowed with a bright cloud, and to hear the divine Father himself speak out of it.”–Spurgeon
Keep your focus on Jesus—God tells the disciples to listen to His Son. This 100% applies to us too family! Keep your focus on Jesus, the Son of God, rather than earthly things.
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
vv. 8–13) Coming Down the Mountain: Suffering Before Glory
vv. 8–13) Coming Down the Mountain: Suffering Before Glory
They had to come down from the mountain. To many American Christians are seeking after a mountain top experience with little or no regard to the call of obedience to the Word of God.
Follow Jesus down the mountain—After spiritual highs, be prepared to follow Jesus into everyday life, carrying the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
The disciples are stumped with the whole Elijah must come first. We see John the Baptist was the “Elijah” foretold in the scripture. Malachi 4:5–6 is the prophesy.
But Jesus draws their attention to the fact the Son of Man must suffer.
Embrace suffering as part of the Journey—Jesus reminded the disciples suffering would come before glory, teaching us to endure hardships with faith.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Don’t be upset when you cannot grasp the bigger picture—Like Peter, James, and John’s confusion about Elijah, we may not understand everything at once either. But, still we are to trust God’s plan for us is unfolding perfectly.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Why doesn’t God reveal all the details of His plan for me now?
Knowing the entire plan of God all at once would overwhelm you.
You may not be equipped to handle it now.
You may not be walking in obedience to what God as already revealed to you.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Benediction:
Benediction:
36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
