Total Transformation

We hear about transformations all of the time in our society. We hear about people transforming their lives in all kinds of ways. Probably one of the most prominent types of transformation is the transformation to a healthy lifestyle. We can’t turn on the TV with out some add coming on to try and get us to live a healthy lifestyle. It could be an add for a gym, or maybe home exercise equipment. Then there are those adds for ways to eat healthy. Services like nutrisystem and those relatively new services that will send you all the ingredients you need to cook yourself a healthy meal. It seems today transformation is the name of the game.

The Bible is full of stories of transformation also. When God meets with Abram and promises to make his descendents a great nation he changes his name from Abram to Abraham to show the transformation in his life. When God blesses Jacob after wresting with him his name is changed to Israel. When Saul is transformed from the greatest persecutor of Christians to the most influential missionary his name is changed to Paul. Transformation is a part of God’s redemptive action with his people.

But the story of transformation that we read today is different, and the consequences of Jesus’ transformation are more important than any transformation that preceded it or any that will follow it. First, we must understand that .......

Jesus’ Transformation is Frightening

Throughout the Gospels Peter is probably the loudest talker. He is never at a lack of words.

Peter Argued with Jesus all the time

When Jesus taught about his death

Matthew 16:21–23 NIV

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

When Jesus tried to wash Peter’s feet

John 13:8 NIV

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

But at the transfiguration Peter was speechless

Mark 9:5–6 NIV

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Transformation is frightening.

Human have a hard time when things change

To the disciples Jesus had been a prophet and a miracle worker. They knew in their heads Jesus was the Son of God but this was the first time they saw it with their eyes.

Our Transformation is frightening

It is scary to be come something new

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

It is hard to accept that we too can be new creations in Christ

Jesus’ Transformation is Total

It was not just part of Christ but all of him

Jesus was an unassuming figure

Isaiah 53:2 (NIV)

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

But he was changed into the most beautiful creature

Luke 9:29 NIV

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

It illustrated his majesty

Throughout Scripture there is a link between light and the Glory of God

Angle of the Lord In the burning bush

Moses when he came down from Mt. Zion

Ezekiel’s vision of God Ezekiel 1:4

Ezekiel 1:4 NIV

I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,

By Jesus becoming light he was one that radiated the presence of God

It illustrated his complete divinity

In revelation we see that in the New Jerusalem there will be no need for the sun and moon because God and Jesus will be the source of light

Revelation 21:23 NIV

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Think of Genesis chapter 1 light was created on the first day but the lights in heaven, the sun and moon, were not until the fourth day

In the transfiguration Jesus was finally being presented at the light of the world.

Jesus’ Transfiguration offers us a Total Transformation

Jesus tells us in John chapter 3 that we must be born again

John 3:5–9 NIV

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

We are to die to our old selves and be transformed into new, perfect creations.

We are sanctified

This is the process of becoming more like Christ

Hebrews 10:14 NIV

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Our transformation is the fruit of our relationship with God

1 John 3:9 NIV

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

Because Jesus was fully divine we have the opportunity to share a little bit in that divine nature

We do not become God

We get to experience God’s essence

God’s power

God’s provision

God’s providence/goodness

They become part of who we are, the essence of our identities.

Because we were created in the image of God

Total Transfiguration

We were all created in the Image of God, something that no other species of plant or animal can claim. Because of this we are offered a share in God’s divine essence, his goodness, his power, his majesty. We were created to walk with God and it is only thought the transforming power of Holy Spirit, given to us by the total sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that we can hope to live the life we were intended to live. God is offering you this life today, all you have to do is submit to his Spirit and it will be yours. Will you take that step? Will you completely submit to God. Altar Call.