Sermon Tone Analysis

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.” ()

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

God's glory lights up all of eternity.

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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.

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34:5–7]

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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

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Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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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.

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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.

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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

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Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

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Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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- 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.