Transfiguration: A Call to Deeper Faith and Glory
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to explore the profound moment of Jesus' transfiguration as described in Matthew 17. This event is monumental, revealing Jesus' divine glory and affirming His identity as the Son of God. The transfiguration is not just a historical event but a call for us to seek a deeper, more elevated relationship with Christ. Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where He was transfigured before them, His face shining like the sun and His garments becoming as white as light. This moment was a divine revelation, a glimpse of His heavenly glory, and a confirmation of His mission and identity.
The presence of Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration symbolizes the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus. Their appearance underscores that Jesus is the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The voice of God from the cloud, declaring Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, further affirms Jesus' divine mission.
The disciples' response—falling face down in fear—highlights the awe and reverence due to God's glory. Jesus' comforting touch and command not to fear remind us that His divine presence is both awe-inspiring and reassuring. This event calls us to move from spiritual milk to meat, to seek a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ.
We are reminded that our lives are meant to glorify God, not ourselves. The transfiguration challenges us to seek an elevated place in our faith, to catch a glimpse of God's glory, and to let that vision transform us. Just as Moses' face shone after encountering God's glory, we too are called to reflect His glory in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Divine Revelation and Identity: The transfiguration of Jesus is a divine revelation of His heavenly glory, affirming His identity as the Son of God. This moment is a powerful reminder that Jesus is not just a historical figure but the living Savior who calls us to a deeper relationship with Him. [15:13]
2. Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets: The presence of Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration symbolizes the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus. This underscores that Jesus is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, and we are called to recognize and embrace this fulfillment in our lives. [22:45]
3. Awe and Reverence: The disciples' response to the transfiguration—falling face down in fear—highlights the awe and reverence due to God's glory. This event calls us to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His divine majesty and our need for His grace. [28:14]
4. Transformation through Glimpses of Glory: Just as Moses' face shone after encountering God's glory, we too are called to reflect His glory in our lives. Catching a glimpse of God's glory can transform us, moving us from spiritual milk to meat and deepening our relationship with Christ. [30:48]
5. Elevated Faith and Service: The transfiguration challenges us to seek an elevated place in our faith and service. We are called to move beyond the basics of our faith, to seek a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ, and to let His glory shine through us in all that we do. [32:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:38] - Opening Prayer
[03:15] - Reading from Matthew 17
[04:56] - The Role of Elijah
[06:38] - God's Glory in Creation
[08:17] - Let Your Light Shine
[09:21] - Understanding Transfiguration
[10:41] - The Change of Pace
[11:45] - Sermon on the Mount Series
[12:20] - Elevation in Faith
[13:00] - It's Not About Us
[14:11] - The Moment of Transfiguration
[15:13] - Divine Revelation
[17:48] - Jesus' Glorified State
[19:18] - Jesus' Present Glory
[20:44] - Seeking the Elevated Place
[22:45] - Presence of Heavenly Witnesses
[24:28] - Divine Endorsement
[28:14] - Response of the Disciples
[30:48] - Transformation through Glory
[32:02] - Elevated Faith and Service
[34:08] - A Glimpse Could Be the Difference
[35:14] - Show Me Your Glory
[36:54] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 17:1-9 (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. 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.' 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.' 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 when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 'Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event took place on the high mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, and John? (Matthew 17:1-2)
2. Who appeared with Jesus during the transfiguration, and what do they symbolize? (Matthew 17:3)
3. How did the disciples react to the voice from the cloud, and what was Jesus' response to them? (Matthew 17:6-7)
4. What command did Jesus give to the disciples as they were coming down the mountain? (Matthew 17:9)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the transfiguration reveal about Jesus' identity and mission? How does this event affirm His divine nature? (Matthew 17:2, [15:13])
2. How does the presence of Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration underscore the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus? (Matthew 17:3, [22:45])
3. Why is the disciples' reaction of falling face down in fear significant? What does this teach us about the appropriate response to God's glory? (Matthew 17:6, [28:14])
4. How does Jesus' comforting touch and command not to fear reflect His character and relationship with His followers? (Matthew 17:7, [29:13])
#### Application Questions
1. The transfiguration calls us to seek a deeper relationship with Christ. What steps can you take this week to move from "spiritual milk to meat" in your faith journey? ([12:20])
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced a glimpse of God's glory in your life. How did that moment transform your faith and actions? ([30:48])
3. The disciples were commanded to listen to Jesus. How can you better heed Jesus' teachings and commands in your daily life? ([27:13])
4. The presence of Moses and Elijah symbolizes the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. How can you recognize and embrace this fulfillment in your own life? ([22:45])
5. Jesus' comforting touch reassured the disciples not to fear. Is there a specific fear or anxiety in your life that you need to bring to Jesus for comfort and reassurance? ([29:13])
6. The transfiguration challenges us to let God's glory shine through us. What practical ways can you reflect God's glory in your interactions with others this week? ([30:48])
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of humility and reverence in the face of God's glory. How can you cultivate a heart of humility and reverence in your worship and daily life? ([28:14])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Revelation of Jesus' Glory
The transfiguration of Jesus is a profound moment that reveals His divine glory and affirms His identity as the Son of God. This event is not merely a historical account but a powerful reminder that Jesus is the living Savior who calls us to a deeper relationship with Him. On the high mountain, Jesus' face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light, providing a glimpse of His heavenly glory. This divine revelation is a call for us to recognize Jesus' true nature and to seek a more intimate connection with Him.
The presence of Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration further underscores Jesus' divine mission. Their appearance symbolizes the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus, highlighting that He is the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The voice of God from the cloud, declaring Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, serves as a divine endorsement of Jesus' mission and identity. This moment invites us to listen to Jesus and to embrace the deeper relationship He offers. [15:13]
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."
Reflection: How can you actively seek a deeper relationship with Jesus today, recognizing His divine glory and identity in your daily life?
Day 2: Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets
The presence of Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration of Jesus is a powerful symbol of the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets, and their appearance with Jesus signifies that He is the culmination of God's redemptive plan. This moment underscores the importance of recognizing and embracing the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus.
Jesus' transfiguration is a reminder that He is the central figure in God's plan for humanity. The Law and the Prophets pointed to Him, and in Him, they find their ultimate fulfillment. As followers of Christ, we are called to recognize this fulfillment and to live our lives in light of it. Embracing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets means aligning our lives with His teachings and mission. [22:45]
Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."
Reflection: In what ways can you align your life more closely with Jesus' teachings, recognizing Him as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets?
Day 3: Awe and Reverence for God's Glory
The disciples' response to the transfiguration—falling face down in fear—highlights the awe and reverence due to God's glory. This event calls us to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His divine majesty and our need for His grace. The transfiguration is a powerful reminder of the awe-inspiring nature of God's glory and the appropriate response of reverence and humility.
Jesus' comforting touch and command not to fear remind us that His divine presence is both awe-inspiring and reassuring. While we are called to approach God with reverence, we are also invited to experience His comforting presence. This balance of awe and comfort is essential in our relationship with God, as it helps us to recognize His majesty while also experiencing His love and grace. [28:14]
Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of awe and reverence for God's glory in your daily worship and prayer life?
Day 4: Transformation through Glimpses of God's Glory
Just as Moses' face shone after encountering God's glory, we too are called to reflect His glory in our lives. Catching a glimpse of God's glory can transform us, moving us from spiritual milk to meat and deepening our relationship with Christ. The transfiguration of Jesus provides a powerful example of how encountering God's glory can lead to transformation.
This transformation is not just about a change in appearance but a deep, inner change that affects every aspect of our lives. As we seek to catch glimpses of God's glory, we are invited to let that vision transform us, shaping our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Reflecting God's glory in our lives means living in a way that honors Him and points others to His majesty. [30:48]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek transformation through a deeper encounter with God's glory?
Day 5: Elevated Faith and Service
The transfiguration challenges us to seek an elevated place in our faith and service. We are called to move beyond the basics of our faith, to seek a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ, and to let His glory shine through us in all that we do. This elevated faith involves a commitment to growing in our knowledge of God and in our service to others.
As we seek to elevate our faith, we are invited to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, allowing His glory to transform us and to shine through us. This means being intentional about our spiritual growth and being willing to step out in faith to serve others. By seeking an elevated place in our faith and service, we can reflect God's glory and make a meaningful impact in the world around us. [32:02]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to elevate your faith and service, allowing God's glory to shine through you in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God you're worthy to be praised in this place Lord I thank you for the opportunity that we get to gather in your house Lord and and God what can take place in this moment is astronomical it's monumental it's it's remarkable Lord we can leave this place in a different way than how we came God we are in your house we're amongst your spirit God and we know that where the spirit of the Lord is somebody help me there is freedom I said where the spirit of the Lord is somebody help me there is freedom and Lord we claim that over this place today Lord we claim that over this place today somebody shout freedom I said somebody shout freedom Lord we believe that you have come Lord we believe that you've come to give us freedom so Lord where there is a wall we pray you make a gate Lord we've called upon your name in this way before and my testimony says you heard and you answered that's why I trust you God that's why you're worthy of my praise because you are good and you got good plans when I seek you Lord you hear and you answer and you blow me away every single time God would you do that again today would you do that one more time right here again today Lord speak to us God afresh and anew and lead us through your word today and show us something give us a glimpse pray this in the mighty name of Jesus and God's people say while you wipe your tears from your eyes would you turn your Bible to Matthew chapter 17 and give God a hand clap of praise in this place he's worthy of it come on somebody say he's worthy oh come on he didn't hear you he's worthy God so much give me one second to change my battery bless him Lord if somebody wants to pray for me I'm going to do it that's in the name of Jesus I want that reward going on in your life but I want you to word I want you to continue to follow me I want you to be saved I you to have seen me so that when you need anything don't you get it come on let it be touched by God like trying to say Jesus moved her ministry upon my feet I believe in you Jesus and your Lord I believe in you Jesus the rest of you together receive me with your things deliver me sweetly now deliver I think there's something in the atmosphere. Amen. I think there's something in the atmosphere. atmosphere here and it may just be the spirit of the living God. And that's why I came. I came to hear from him. I came to be in his presence." [01:38] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A glimpse could be the difference. God's glory is something we talk about endlessly, especially here at church. And we should know what we're talking about because it's important, yet it's extremely difficult to define. And the reason that this is important is because these are things we found that we have done which we simply wish we had done. So what we're saying here is that he has created things, theivesseal that God has in himself to be glorified. All things were created by him, through him, and for him. Everything that was made was made to glorify him, much like the creators of the nicest car you can think of, I'm sure after the design was complete, manufacturing had been done, one would stand by him the whole day, and when he thought, and look or gaze upon His creation and say, oh, that's good. The Father said the same thing at the end of His manufacturing week. He manufactured the heavens and the earth and stood back and said, it is good." [06:38] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We were created to give God the glory. And God has a great zeal to be glorified. And one thing you must note is that we don't add to His glory. We strive to make His glory known, lest anyone should boast. We are not God's gift. We are gifted. We are gifted by God. And in return, we make His glory known. Matthew chapter 5, 16 says this, your light must shine. I like how it says it in the NASB, which is what I read from. But yours may say, let your light so shine. But the Bible says, your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and, somebody say it, glorify your Father, who is in heaven. It is important that we let our light so shine before men that they may see our works and glorify God." [07:32] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to leave you with one more thing. Matthew chapter 7 verse 7 says this. Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be open to you. You've heard from the Lord today and you know just what to do. It's up to you now." [36:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The idea or the concept of transfiguration is, or this transfiguration account is a monumental, pivotal moment for Jesus and his ministry, right? This is a change of pace. Here, they've been walking, they being the disciples and whoever else would follow, and even some of his enemies as they would try to rebuke every bit of his teaching and kind of almost, turn his disciples away from him. All these people had been following Jesus and hearing Jesus preach, right? They have just gone through what is recorded as the Sermon on the Mount. By the way, we are fixing to enter into a great big, nice, in-depth series on the Sermon on the Mount. I can't wait to start that, but it's coming soon. It's not next week or anything, but just be prepared. The Sermon on the Mount is known as the constitution of the gospel. And it is comprised of three chapters, chapter five, six, and seven of the gospel account according to Matthew. And it's a remarkable three chapters that can be summed up in this account. And I almost saved this message for maybe the end or conclusion of the sermon series, but God wrapped me up in this thing and I got so just, I'm ready to preach this message. I want to preach this message. So, the translation, transfiguration account is a change of pace. The disciples had followed Jesus to a point of elevation. Maybe the next steps, if you will. And Christ's divine nature was preparing his disciples for the journey ahead. It was an unveiling. It was a revelation. It was to take the disciples, especially these two, from the milk, to the meat of service and discipleship. A more in-depth, kingdom-minded fellowship with the Lord." [11:45] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There comes a time in every believer's walk where the pace must change. Where you must come off the milk and begin on the meat. And what that means is you must catch a glimpse of what's truly going on here. That it's not about you and I, this life. It's not our glory that we work towards. It's not our triumph. And I know it's hard to hear. Some of us have worked very hard to make a name for ourselves. But it's the Lord's name that all our work, all our effort, brings glory to. So this moment, this unveiling that happens on the top of this mountain, I'm going to try and maybe capture it and make sense of it with the Holy Spirit's help today. And if you'll journey with me, maybe we'll leave with a new perspective and maybe changed hearts. And God help us to step up, to this elevated place with you, Lord." [13:00] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The response of the disciples. Look at the response of the disciples. Matthew chapter 17 verse 6 the Bible says when the disciples heard this they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. If you've been in the Wednesday night adult small group we talked about the fear of the Lord and just the effect that it has on us. The presence of God demands just natural obedience from your body. It just happens. You can't control it. When the Lord comes into the room and you realize it, your body just naturally is overcome by it. And it just happens, but obviously you must realize it. The response of the disciples is crazy here. You see them fall face down to the ground and they're terrified and they're like oh, what do we do? And what is the response of Jesus though? What does Jesus do? He comes up and He touches them says do not fear and He raises them up. The disciples response reveals the profound impact of witnessing Jesus' divine glory. When you see the glory of God it's something different. And when you can recognize it, when it's plain as day, when you know that's when people actually start moving to the altar. That's when people move a little bit in worship and praise. That's when people get so ate up about wanting to get into the Bible. You start wanting to read it more. You want to know more. I don't know about you but when I fell in love with Sandra I wanted nothing more than to just know her inside and out. I wanted to know everything she liked, everything she didn't like. I didn't want to make her mad. I wanted to know her favorite places to eat or favorite things to do. I wanted to do everything I could to please her. Now I don't know if this could be congruent here but I just want you to know that when I fell in love with the Gospel and when I fell in love with Jesus my Savior, when He showed me that He is enough for my life I started wanting to know everything about Him. I wanted to know what He liked and what He didn't like. I wanted to do everything that He requests me to do. It didn't matter if I had just sat down I'll pop right back up. I wanted to praise Him. I wanted to preach His word. I wanted to tell the world of His goodness. I don't know about you but when I fell in love with Jesus I started getting a zeal myself to glorify Him. He showed me something. He showed me His glory. Listen humility is a big part. Humility and reverence in the face of the divine and the revelation that comes with coming face to face with Jesus." [28:14] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I came to tell somebody today that there is a elevated place that you can get to. You can go there. It doesn't matter how young you are, how old you are, how thin, how wide, how dark, how light. It doesn't matter. Everybody is welcome to the elevated place, but you got to want it. You got to go there. You got to go there. That's what I want you to notice. The glory of God was not in the venue. The mountain had nothing to do with God's glory. The lion's den surely wasn't glorious. The tabernacle of Dagon as Elijah sees fire fall from heaven upon the call of God was surely a dark and scary place. I don't know if you've read that part of the Bible, but there should have been dead bodies all over the place at that moment. Probably stunk. The glory of God is never in the venue. It doesn't matter when or where. Get this church. It just matters I could get on a tangent, but I'm not. I will. Some of us leave for the wrong reasons. We don't leave because the Spirit of the Lord moves. We leave because our... Never mind. That's when I'll stop the tangent. I'll stop the tangent right there. I'm here to glorify God, not get on a soapbox. Listen. I'm ending. You can come on up. I want you to know a glimpse could be the difference, church. I want it so bad for you. Have you ever wanted something so bad for your kids? Those of you who have kids, you ever see them developing into something? Or maybe you younger people, teenagers, maybe you just want something so bad. You've got to have it now. You've got to have it now. I want to be good. I want to do this. I want this for my kids. Listen. I want this for advantage of it. You know what I'm saying? We take the time and use it wisely. When the Spirit of God is moving place with Him. I want to be like Moses in Exodus chapter 33 verse 18. Look at this. This was his prayer. Please me your glory. I don't know if you've been stuck and stale in this place. But chances are, you have been. I want to be frank with you, church. And I only do this because I'm your pastor. And I desire to serve you as such. It's been quite some time since I've seen a great movement of this altar. We've got to get back to using the altar of the Lord. We've got to get back to humbling ourselves at the feet of Jesus. But it starts with recognizing who's in the room moving with Him. God, please show me your glory. This revelation of Jesus' divine nature and mission is really what this transfiguration is all about. To show you who He really is and to bring you up with Him. I want to encourage you, church, to embrace what you've heard today from this event. And recognize who's in the room. Somebody say, He's in the room. He's in the room. Understand His fulfillment of the law and the prophets. And heed His teachings. And as the disciples did, respond with reverence." [34:08] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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