A Glimpse of God’s Glory

God's glory lights up all of eternity.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ()

Exodus 33:18–19 ESV

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

“Unless the Lord builds the house...Unless the Lord watches over...Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD...” ()

Exodus 40:34–35 ESV

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

God's glory lights up all of eternity.

Exodus 40:38 ESV

For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Cf.

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

p [ver. 20; ]

q ; ; [ch. 34:5–7]

r Cited

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

, -

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle... 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

l See ch. 13:21

38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

m ch. 29:43; ; ; [, ; , ; ; ; , ; ]

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Revelation 21:23 ESV

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

with ,

Luke 9:29 ESV

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

Revelation 1:14 ESV

The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,

Revelation 1:16 ESV

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

,

Luke 9:32 ESV

Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.

with

Mark 9:3 ESV

and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

Cf. with

Compare

Luke 9:29 ESV

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

2 Peter 1:16–18 ESV

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 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,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Luke 9:30 ESV

And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,

Compare

Matthew 17:6–7 ESV

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

and

and

Mark 9:8 ESV

And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

- John the Baptist was a type of Elijah.

READ -

PRAY

God First is our ministry theme this year.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ()

“Unless the Lord builds the house...Unless the Lord watches over...Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD...” ()

This morning I would like to call our attention to a famous, God-first passage of Scripture in the Gospel of Mark.

READ -

PRAY

Just before I read the passage, let’s pause to consider some context of the Gospel of Mark so that we may better understand and some observations from a passage known as the Transfiguration of Jesus.

1. Mark is the first Gospel. A clear Gospel of just 16 chapters.

2. It answers two great questions: Who is Jesus? and What did He come to do?

3. The first 8 chapters primarily answer the first question. The second 8 chapters centrally answer the second question.

4. The passage we will read from today is sometimes referred to as the continental divide of the Gospel of Mark.

5. Jesus has just asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And Peter has just answered, “You are the Christ.”

6. Jesus has already demonstrated His divine authority through amazing teachings, healings and miracles. Jesus begins to foretell His death and resurrection.

7. In chapter 9, Jesus unveils his divine power and glory.

8. The setting is a high mountain (probably Mt. Hermon; place of the 13th C. Nimrod’s Fortress) which is nearby Caesarea Philippi where Jesus had been teaching and healing. Mt. Hermon is about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee in what is modern day western Syria, located near northeast Israel and southeast Lebanon.

9. According to Luke’s version of this story, Jesus had taken Peter, James and John up on the mountain to pray. ( - John the Baptist was a type of Elijah.)

READ -

PRAY

Five God-First observations or lessons from the glimpse of Jesus’ glory at the mountain top transfiguration of Jesus’.

1. We want to talk, but He wants us to listen. (v2-8)

a. Verse 4 notes that there was a gathering of Elijah and Moses...talking with Jesus.

b. Verse 5 notes that Peter said, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

c. Verse 6 adds an interesting note - “For [Peter] did not know what to say, for they were terrified..”

d. Sometimes we overreact in situations where we don’t know what to do. Often, we open our mouths when it would be better to observe and listen. What’s going on around us is not always about us, even though it is for us.

e. Verse 7 brings the point into focus. “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him.’”

f. Silence is one of the deepest disciplines of the HS. Don't allow your prayer time to be only made up of your talking to God. Listen to him!

2. We want to work but God wants us to worship. (v5)

a. Being is more important than doing, lest our doing miss the purpose of our being.

b. The story of Mary and Martha in vividly illustrates this truth. Mary was given to sitting before Jesus to listen to his teaching. Martha was given to serving the surrounding need. Martha complained to Jesus that Mary should be doing what she was doing. Jesus reminded Martha that she should not get distracted just by doing for the Lord and others.

c. Worshiping God is portion we can’t do without. Don’t let get distracted from times of worship!

3. We want to stay - He wants us to go. (v5)

a. I can’t wait to get to heaven and live in the presence of God without distraction or troubles caused by sin and death. It will be all-fulfilling.

b. God designed us to desire fulfillment. It’s natural. Peter saw it and recognized how good it was to experience. But this world is for more than us.

c. But Jesus wasn’t finished making room for others to glimpse His glory and know the fulfillment of His presence.

c. We can’t let personal preference keep us from God’s assignments or directives. It’s Christ’s cause for us to be on-the-go for Him.

4. We want to secure it all - He wants us to trust Him for all. (v5)

a. Cf. 8:1-13 Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

b. Cf. 8:14,16,17 Not only were the doubters not getting the fact that Jesus is our sufficiency, the disciples were still not looking to Jesus enough.

c. We must never lose focus of the truth that Jesus is Jehovah-Jireh, the LORD our provider. If necessary, He will provide a ram in a thicket.

d. Be at peace. Look to the Lord. Ask him. He will provide. He always does. He is for you.

e. The Psalmist says in 20:7 - “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

5. We want to figure God out - He wants us to walk it out, by faith. (Vv5,10-11,12-13; )

a. Walking with Jesus is the way to understanding who, what, why, when, where and how.

b. It’s natural for us to want to know. We want to know that all is safe and feel secure. (Peter battled those thoughts until his last moments with Jesus on this earth. John 21:20-22)

c. We can’t let our faith be paralyzed by confusion or circumstance. Jesus wants us to know that it is enough to get up and walk with Him each day. Walking with Jesus through the day is secure, revealing, and fulfilling.

d. It’s okay to ask God. It’s okay to want to have more details. But sometimes God only gives us enough to walk by faith.

e. In those moments, don’t get stuck trying to figuring it all out. We walk by faith and not by sight. God won’t let you down.

Conclusion:

GOD’S GLORY lights up God’s way for us.

The best and right way to live is to give God first place in your life, ministry, day and responsibilities.

If we want to experience and glimpse God’s glory, we need to get to the mountain top moments where God’s glory is revealed. That means we must spend time with him!

When we give God first place in your life, ministry, day and responsibilities, we are in the place to gain a glimpse of His glory and better find our way.

2. Every so often we need to be reminded that those we serve really need to see and hear the Lord. As much as he chose us and placed us in ministry for others, we are but representatives sent by God to minister to them. Therefore, we must keep God First.

Every so often we need to be reminded that those we serve really need to see and hear the Lord. As much as he chose us and placed us in ministry for others, we are but representatives sent by God to minister to them. Therefore, we must keep God First.

3. Every so often we need to be reminded that God is building great testimony in us and through us. The disciples were there to pass out the bread and fish not just to feed the need, but also to witness the Lord’s amazing work so that they could better know and worship the Lord...and tell others about His greatness!

Every so often we need to be reminded that God is building great testimony in us and through us. The disciples were there to pass out the bread and fish not just to feed the need, but also to witness the Lord’s amazing work so that they could better know and worship the Lord...and tell others about His greatness!

4. Let us be a ministry team ready to:

Let us be a ministry team that lives a God-first lifestyle so that we gain those glimpses of God’s glory so that we are better:

a. Listen to the Lord

Listen to the Lord

b. Worship the Lord

Worship the Lord

c. Go for Lord

Represent the Lord

d. Trust the Lord

Trust the Lord

Represent the Lord

e. Walk by faith with the Lord

Walk by faith with the Lord

Represent the Lord

PRAYER

Blessing

BLESSING