Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Future Glory

Devotional

Day 1: The Transfiguration as a Glimpse of Future Glory

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a profound event that offers believers a glimpse of the glory that awaits them. This moment on the mountain, where Jesus revealed His divine splendor to Peter, James, and John, serves as a powerful reminder that the sufferings we endure in this life are temporary and will be replaced by an incomparably greater glory. It encourages believers to keep their eyes on the promise of future glory, knowing that it is worth more than their present trials. This event is not just a historical occurrence but a foretaste of the eternal glory promised to all who follow Christ. [07:41]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What current trial or suffering in your life can you view in light of the future glory promised to you? How does this perspective change your approach to this situation today?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Transformation

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's journey towards future glory. He sets believers free from the law of sin and death, transforms their minds, and dwells within them, ensuring their growth in Christlikeness. The Spirit's work is a testament to God's commitment to bringing believers to Himself and preparing them for the glory that awaits. This divine presence within believers is a constant reminder of God's intimate involvement in their lives, guiding them through their current state and sufferings towards the promised glory. [01:03:02]

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 ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and heart today? What specific area of your life needs His transformative power?

Day 3: The Spirit's Intercession in Our Weakness

When believers do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for them with groanings too deep for words. This divine intercession assures believers that God is intimately aware of their needs and is actively working to align their prayers with His will. It is a profound reminder of God's presence and care in their lives, providing comfort and assurance that they are not alone in their struggles. The Spirit's intercession is a testament to God's commitment to His people, ensuring that they are aligned with His purpose and plan. [01:21:06]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel at a loss for words in prayer. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's intercession to bring your needs before God today?

Day 4: The Cross as the Center of Our Faith

The cross is central to the Christian faith and the promise of future glory. Through Jesus' sacrificial love, believers are offered forgiveness and new life. Communion serves as a reminder of this sacrifice and calls believers to make Jesus the center of their lives, living in gratitude and faith. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a testament to the love and grace that makes future glory possible. It invites believers to respond with gratitude and a willingness to cooperate with God's work in their lives. [39:20]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: How can you make the cross the center of your life today? What specific actions can you take to live in gratitude and faith in response to Jesus' sacrifice?

Day 5: Responding to God's Promise with Faith

Believers are invited to respond to God's work in their lives with gratitude and faith. The presence and intercession of the Holy Spirit are proofs of the incomparable worth of future glory. Believers are called to cooperate with God's efforts, trusting in His promise and allowing their present suffering to be put into the perspective of future glory. This response requires a willingness to trust in God's plan and to live in a way that reflects the hope and assurance of the glory that awaits. [01:24:54]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's promise? How can you actively choose to respond with faith and gratitude today?

Sermon Summary

The focus of today's gathering is the profound event of the Transfiguration of Jesus, where He revealed His glory to Peter, James, and John. This moment on the mountain was not just a display of divine splendor but a foretaste of the glory that awaits all believers. The Transfiguration serves as a powerful reminder of the future glory promised to us, a glory that far outweighs our present sufferings. This promise is intricately tied to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, who is actively involved in guiding us from our current state through suffering to the glory that awaits.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our journey towards this future glory. As we explored Romans 8, we saw how the Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death, gives us a new focus, and dwells within us, ensuring our transformation into the likeness of Christ. The Spirit also intercedes for us, praying on our behalf when we do not know what to pray. This divine intercession is a testament to God's intimate involvement in our lives, ensuring that we are aligned with His will and purpose.

The Transfiguration and the work of the Holy Spirit remind us that our faith journey is not just about enduring suffering but about moving towards a promised glory. This glory is not just a distant hope but a reality that the Spirit is actively preparing us for. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the centrality of the cross and the sacrificial love of Jesus, which makes this future glory possible. Our response to this promise should be one of gratitude, faith, and a willingness to cooperate with God's work in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The Transfiguration as a Foretaste of Glory: The Transfiguration of Jesus is a powerful reminder of the glory that awaits believers. It shows us that the suffering we endure now is temporary and will be replaced by a glory that is incomparably greater. This event encourages us to keep our eyes on the promise of future glory, knowing that it is worth more than our present trials. [07:41]
2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is actively involved in our journey towards future glory. He sets us free from sin, transforms our minds, and dwells within us, ensuring our growth in Christlikeness. The Spirit's work is a testament to God's commitment to bringing us to Himself and preparing us for the glory that awaits. [63:02]
3. Intercession of the Spirit: When we do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This divine intercession assures us that God is intimately aware of our needs and is actively working to align our prayers with His will. It is a profound reminder of God's presence and care in our lives. [81:06]
4. The Centrality of the Cross: The cross is central to our faith and the promise of future glory. Through Jesus' sacrificial love, we are offered forgiveness and new life. Communion serves as a reminder of this sacrifice and calls us to make Jesus the center of our lives, living in gratitude and faith. [39:20]
5. Responding to God's Work: We are invited to respond to God's work in our lives with gratitude and faith. The Spirit's presence and intercession are proofs of the incomparable worth of future glory. Our choice is to cooperate with God's efforts, trusting in His promise and allowing our present suffering to be put into the perspective of future glory. [01:24:54]
** [84:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:41] - The Transfiguration of Jesus
[20:28] - Announcements and Worship
[39:20] - The Centrality of the Cross
[44:42] - Prayers for the World
[47:03] - Prayers for Peace and Missionaries
[50:21] - Prayers for Leaders and Revival
[57:15] - The Promise of Future Glory
[59:54] - The Suffering and Glory of Jesus
[63:02] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[70:13] - The Spirit's Work in Our Lives
[77:46] - The Spirit's Testimony
[81:06] - The Spirit's Intercession
[84:54] - God's Commitment to Our Glory
[87:28] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Sermon Clips

"For the better part of the church world this morning, the Christian world, Christian church world, it is Transfiguration Sunday. It is a Sunday commemorating the day in which Jesus went with Peter and James and John up on the mountain, and there in a meeting with Moses and Elijah was transfigured. He was changed in such a way that they were able to see his glory, and that was a remarkable moment in their lives, and we're going to tie in this morning to that particular event." [00:06:18]

"And we want him to prove it. One of the proofs that he's going to offer to us is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And so we're going to tie in the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives with the transfiguration of Jesus, because there on that mountain, Peter, James, and John saw something that was so astounding, so remarkable, and they heard the voice of God in such a way, it laid them out flat with fear." [00:07:41]

"So Jesus shows them the glory, then goes through the suffering of the cross, and then is restored in that glory, and shows it to him again after the resurrection. And all of that, how do, how do, Jesus shows us his glory, he shows the glory he gets after his resurrection. He makes a promise that we, too, who follow Jesus will share in that glory. How do we get there?" [00:08:26]

"How do we get from here through suffering to glory? That's the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we're going to sing about that and open our hearts to that message this morning. So let me invite you to stand, if you will, and we're going to share these words from Matthew chapter 17 together, and then we're going to sing in an invitation and a word. Worship of the Holy Spirit as we open our worship together this morning." [00:08:51]

"God saw us in our sin God saw that we could not redeem ourselves God saw that the wages of sin was death and we were all about to get paid in full and so God sent his son to live for us the life of holiness and faith and obedience that we cannot live he sent his son to die for us on the cross the death that our sin and guilt deserves and faith in christ and faith in the promise of god to forgive our sins when we put our faith in jesus that is the crux upon which christianity balances." [00:28:37]

"Father, we want to acknowledge, first and foremost, that you are God. We don't have to tell you that, but for us to say that is an expression of faith. It is a conclusion that you have brought us to, that you have convinced us of, and that you are teaching us to love and live in. You are God. You are all that you say you are, and you are all that you say you are at all times and all places." [00:43:53]

"The glory that awaits us is worth more, more than all the suffering it takes to get there. The glory that awaits us is worth more, more than all the suffering it takes to get there. Now, I've been saying that for four weeks. People who read the book of Romans have been hearing that for 2,000 years. I'm going to say it one more time, and I'm hoping that between 2,000 years and four weeks, you'll have a response to that." [00:56:35]

"On the day of his transfiguration, Jesus demonstrated the glory that would be revealed in him after his death and resurrection. We often think, oh, no, no, no. What he did was he pulled back the glory he had as the Son of God. But had he pulled back the glory that he had as the Son of God, that would have spelled doom for Peter and James and John. Because no one could see that glory and live. Moses told us that, remember?" [00:58:21]

"Now, folks, when we believe that what God has done for us, and we trust God to accept Christ as our substitute, the Holy Spirit applies the grace of God to us. That's what that means. The law of the Spirit of life has set me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death says, you sin, you die. The law of the Spirit says, you believe, you put your faith in Jesus, you live." [01:08:41]

"The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead the spirit of God glorified him the spirit of God gave him gave life to his mortal body in that resurrection and here's the promise the spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead is the spirit of God that God sends to live in you when you put your faith in Jesus and in the same way that that spirit raised Jesus from the dead because of his innocence when it comes to that moment when God judges the whole world between forgiveness and guilt." [01:14:44]

"When it comes to whether or not your faith in Christ works, when it comes to whether or not when you put your faith in Jesus, God adopts you as his own child, God calls the Holy Spirit to the stand, and the Holy Spirit, giving testimony to God's work to make us family, says, I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, because I am God." [01:17:53]

"Here's what I want you to take home with you this afternoon. God acts through the intercessions of the spirit to bring you to future glory. The working of God, even to the point of the spirit, praying for what you don't know how to pray for, is proof of the incomparable worth of future glory. God moves every believer through this world to himself and through this world to future glory." [01:25:34]

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