Christ Be Glorified: Lessons from the Transfiguration

Devotional

Day 1: Go Deeper to See the Glory of Jesus

To truly see the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ, you must be willing to go deeper in your relationship with Him, committing yourself to His Word and to spiritual growth. Just as Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to witness His transfiguration, He calls you to step away from the crowd and invest in a deeper walk with Him. This journey is not about instant results or shortcuts; it requires intentional time in Scripture, prayer, and community, moving beyond surface-level faith to a place where your affections for Christ are stirred and transformed. Are you willing to put in the effort to climb higher with Jesus, even when it means leaving comfort behind? [41:54]

Matthew 17:1-3 (ESV)
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus—whether it’s setting aside time for Scripture, joining a group, or serving in a new way?

Day 2: Encountering the Glory of Christ Changes Us

When you truly encounter the glory of Jesus, you cannot remain the same; His presence transforms everything about you. The transfiguration was not just a display of divine power, but a life-altering moment for the disciples, revealing Jesus’ divinity and holiness in a way that demanded a response. Just as being hit by a Mack truck leaves you changed, so does a genuine encounter with Christ’s glory—He brings grace and truth, exposing our need and offering us new life. Let the reality of who Jesus is move you from mere admiration to real transformation, shaping your heart, mind, and actions. [48:22]

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.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense Jesus calling you to real change as a result of encountering His glory? What step can you take to respond to Him today?

Day 3: Listen to Jesus and Build Your Life on Him

God the Father’s command on the mountain was clear: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.” In a world full of distractions and competing voices, the call is to tune your heart to Jesus’ words and build your life on His foundation. When you listen and obey, you are like the wise builder whose house stands firm through every storm. But if you ignore His voice, you risk building on sinking sand—whether it’s money, status, or even good things that can’t bear the weight of your soul. Make it your aim to listen to Jesus above all else, letting His truth shape your decisions and your days. [01:04:54]

Luke 6:46-48 (ESV)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve been listening to other voices more than Jesus? How can you intentionally listen to Him and act on His words today?

Day 4: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus Alone

When the disciples were overwhelmed and afraid, Jesus touched them and told them, “Rise, and have no fear.” In that moment, they saw only Jesus—no distractions, no condemnation, just the presence of the Savior. You are called to run your race with endurance by fixing your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith. He is greater than any hero of the past, and He is with you in every season, offering joy even in suffering. Let your gaze be set on Him, trusting that He is enough for every need and every challenge you face. [01:11:43]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What is distracting you from fixing your eyes on Jesus today? What can you do to intentionally shift your focus back to Him?

Day 5: Think Only on Jesus—He Is Worthy of Your Praise

There is nothing more true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, or excellent than Jesus. The peace of God comes when you set your mind on Him, refusing to let lesser things steal your attention or affection. In a world full of noise and busyness, you are invited to meditate on Christ—His character, His works, His love—and let that shape your thoughts and your life. As you practice this, the God of peace will be with you, bringing calm in chaos and hope in every circumstance. [01:16:33]

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can redirect your thoughts to Jesus today—perhaps by memorizing a verse, turning off distractions, or pausing to praise Him in the middle of your routine?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus was on the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17, where Peter, James, and John are taken up a high mountain and given a glimpse of Christ’s divine glory. This moment is not just a spectacle, but a call to go deeper in faith, to move beyond surface-level experiences and pursue a life transformed by the presence and truth of Jesus. The mountaintop experience is a metaphor for those rare moments when God’s glory is unmistakably clear, but it’s also a challenge: these moments are not meant to be preserved as isolated memories, but to propel us into a movement of ongoing transformation, obedience, and mission.

The journey up the mountain is not easy. It requires intentionality, sacrifice, and a willingness to go deeper into God’s Word and community. Just as the disciples had to leave the crowd and climb higher, we are called to step away from comfort and routine, seeking God in prayer, Scripture, and service. True spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident or convenience; it’s the result of a deliberate pursuit of Christ, even when it’s hard or inconvenient.

When the disciples saw Jesus transfigured—His face shining like the sun, His clothes dazzling white—they witnessed a glimpse of His true nature: fully God, fully man. This encounter was life-changing, not just for the moment, but for the rest of their lives. It’s a reminder that seeing Jesus for who He truly is will always change us. We cannot encounter His glory and remain the same.

Yet, Peter’s instinct was to build tents and stay on the mountain, missing the point that the transfiguration was not about creating a monument to a moment, but about fueling a movement toward the cross and the resurrection. God the Father’s voice interrupts, commanding, “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.” The call is clear: our lives must be built on Jesus, not on fleeting experiences, not on our own plans, but on the solid foundation of Christ and His Word.

As we come down from the mountain, the challenge is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to let His glory shape our daily lives, and to share that glory with others. Whether in seasons of joy or trial, the invitation is to trust, obey, and find our peace in Him alone.

Key Takeaways

1. Going Deeper Requires Commitment Mountaintop experiences with God are not accidental; they require intentional pursuit, sacrifice, and a willingness to go deeper into His Word and presence. Spiritual growth is not a product of convenience but of commitment, even when it means leaving comfort behind. The journey up the mountain is hard, but the view—God’s glory—is worth every step. [41:18]
2. Transformation, Not Just Information Encountering Jesus in His glory is not about collecting spiritual experiences or knowledge, but about being fundamentally changed. Just as the disciples could not see Christ transfigured and remain the same, true encounters with Jesus always result in transformation—old patterns are left behind, and new life emerges. [48:22]
3. Moments Are Meant to Fuel Movements God gives us glimpses of His glory not so we can build monuments to the past, but so we can be propelled into a life of ongoing obedience and mission. The transfiguration was not about staying on the mountain, but about moving forward into the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus—the heart of the gospel. [56:07]
4. Listen to Jesus Above All Else The Father’s command, “Listen to Him,” is a call to tune out the noise of culture, opinion, and even our own desires, and to build our lives on the words and ways of Christ. Foundations built on anything else—success, family, health, or comfort—are ultimately sinking sand. Only Jesus is the unshakeable rock. [61:42]
5. Fix Your Gaze on Christ Alone In a world full of distractions and competing glories, the call is to fix our eyes on Jesus—the founder and perfecter of our faith. When we look to Him, we find peace in chaos, joy in sacrifice, and purpose in every season. Everything else fades in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing and following Christ. [77:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[14:54] - Ministry Highlights & Recognitions
[17:02] - Prayer for Needs & Community
[33:46] - Announcements & Guest Welcome
[35:14] - Introduction: Take Up Your Cross
[36:52] - Christ Be Glorified: The Transfiguration
[37:59] - The Value of Going Deeper
[41:18] - Mountaintop Experiences & Spiritual Growth
[43:34] - The Call to Deeper Worship & Discipleship
[45:19] - Serving and Missions: Fuel for Faith
[46:33] - Witnessing Christ’s Glory
[48:22] - The Transforming Power of Encountering Jesus
[52:23] - Bringing Glory to Others
[56:07] - Moments vs. Movements
[59:35] - God’s Rebuke: Listen to My Son
[61:42] - Building on the Foundation of Christ
[69:36] - Jesus’ Compassion: Rise and Have No Fear
[71:14] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[76:33] - Think Only on Jesus
[78:01] - Closing Prayer & Invitation
[85:50] - Final Announcements & Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 17:1-8 (ESV) — 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Observation Questions

Who did Jesus take with Him up the mountain, and what did they witness there? (Matthew 17:1-3)
What was Peter’s initial reaction to seeing Jesus transfigured, and what did he suggest? (Matthew 17:4)
What did the voice from the cloud say, and how did the disciples respond? (Matthew 17:5-6)
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus’ transfiguration for the disciples and for us? [[48:22]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus only took Peter, James, and John up the mountain instead of all the disciples? What might this say about going deeper in faith? [[37:59]]
The sermon says that mountaintop experiences are not meant to be preserved as isolated memories but to propel us into ongoing transformation and mission. Why is it tempting to want to “stay on the mountain” like Peter did? [[56:07]]
The Father’s command, “Listen to Him,” is highlighted as a call to tune out other voices and build our lives on Jesus. What are some of the “other voices” that compete for our attention today? [[01:01:42]]
The disciples were terrified when they heard God’s voice, but Jesus told them, “Rise, and have no fear.” What does this reveal about Jesus’ heart for His followers, especially after a powerful or overwhelming encounter with God? [[01:09:36]]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that going deeper with God requires intentionality and sacrifice, not just convenience. What is one area of your life where you have settled for spiritual “convenience” instead of commitment? What would it look like to take a step deeper this week? [[41:18]]
Think about a time when you experienced a “mountaintop” moment with God—maybe at a camp, retreat, or during a powerful worship service. Did that experience lead to lasting change, or did you try to “stay on the mountain”? How can you let those moments fuel ongoing transformation and obedience? [[56:07]]
The sermon said that true encounters with Jesus always result in transformation, not just more information. Is there an area of your life where you know God is calling you to change, but you’ve been resisting? What’s holding you back? [[48:22]]
The Father’s command to “listen to Jesus” means tuning out the noise of culture, opinions, and even our own desires. What is one specific “voice” or distraction in your life that you need to turn down so you can hear Jesus more clearly? [[01:01:42]]
The pastor mentioned that spiritual growth happens in community, through prayer, Scripture, and serving others. Are you currently involved in a group or ministry where you are being challenged to grow? If not, what’s one step you could take to get connected? [[43:34]]
When the disciples looked up, “they saw no one but Jesus only.” In your daily life, what tends to distract you from keeping your eyes on Jesus? What practical step can you take this week to “fix your gaze” on Him? [[01:11:14]]
The sermon talked about finding peace in Jesus, even in chaos or trial. Is there a situation right now where you need to trust Jesus and find your peace in Him? How can your group pray for you in this area? [[01:17:10]]

Sermon Clips

Anytime you get onto the top of a mountain, you don't think really big of yourself, do you? You think really big of the mountain. You think really big of creation and all God has done, and that is what is taking place. I want to encourage you, a mountaintop experience for us is being able to see the beauty of God at work, vastly, graciously at work, hugely at work. [00:41:22] (30 seconds) #MountaintopPerspective

If you do those things, you don't get on the side of a mountain in Ecuador and go, man, I'm so great and so awesome. You go, God is so great and so awesome. And the people we want to minister to are in great need. But that all takes and happens because we go higher and deeper with Jesus. We get to the top of the mountain. [00:46:05] (25 seconds) #GodIsGreater

We see the glory so we can bring the glory to others. That was the point of taking you deeper through worship, taking you deeper through discipleship, taking you deeper through serving and on into missions. Your ultimate goal is that your heart sees other people give God glory and they see it. The only way they're going to give Him any praise is if they see it. They're going to see it. You got to help show them. [00:52:18] (29 seconds) #GloryToOthers

If you are building on anything other than Jesus, it is a sinking sand foundation. You build it on money and wealth, it's sinking. Prosperity, sinking. Health, sinking. Just have a birthday, you feel it. You're just praising God that you rolled out of the bed and didn't pull anything or hurt anything. If you're looking for completion, like I said earlier, in your family or in your spouse, you're not going to get it. Those are sinking sands. Where you get your foundation is on Jesus. [01:06:05] (37 seconds) #RiseWithNoFear

If you and I would just get back to the Father's words, "Here's my son, I'm well pleased in the son, listen to him," that would be building on the strong firm foundation that is Jesus Christ, the gospel. Man, it doesn't matter what comes, it doesn't matter what storm comes, what trial comes, what heartache comes, what death comes, it does not matter. [01:07:09] (33 seconds) #JesusIsHere

But then Jesus did this—he had to do this—he came and touched them, came and touched them. He got them up. He didn't land blast them. He wasn't like, "Dad is sometimes, Dad is, you not, what do you do with, you failed again, you like, you don't know, listen, listen to me the first time." Jesus touched them and he said, "Rise and have no fear." Man, some of you are so terrified because you think God has it out for you, and he was wanting to do that same thing. He wanted to tap you on the shoulder, "Hey, have no fear. [01:09:29] (43 seconds) #JoyInTheCross

They know Elijah and they know Moses. Who's there? Only Jesus. And he's painting a picture for us. Those are some great dudes, but they ain't me. No, they ain't me. I'm here, right here with you in this moment. Listen to me. I want to be with you. Listen. He said those same words again. He said, "Take the gospel to the ends of the earth, and lo, I'll be there with you always." When the Father is with us, when God is with us, when Jesus in his divine self is with us through the Holy Spirit, there ain't nothing to fear. [01:10:16] (40 seconds) #BusyNotBlessed

See him. Meet with him. Get those affections from the Lord grown because you have your gaze and you can't be distracted. You can't be—listen, you got to put the phone down. You will be distracted, and before you know it, there's your 30 or 40 minutes into something else. And they are good things probably, but they are just time wasters, and they have pulled your gaze away from Jesus. Just put your eyes on him. Why? So the peace God is and gives will be with you. As I said earlier, peace in the storm, peace in death, peace in God's presence, chaos, peace in the normal. [01:17:21] (43 seconds)

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