This sermon was conjured up at about 1:30 am in the morning on Saturday. Our Senior Pastor texted me and said he had gotten sick and there was no way he was going to make church the next day. So I got to reading and studying and this is what flowed from my heart. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Thank you Pastor Paul for believing in me that I could do this. You Rock!!
Raul Garcia III
February 26, 2017
Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus
Let us Pray:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you my Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
Transfiguration Sunday is a day we reflect on perhaps the ultimate of mountain top experiences.
I know I have had quite a few. From mission trips, being in Africa, and having a women actually marry me...
We are privileged to experience a bit of what Peter, James and John experienced... and we actually hear the voice of God speaking to them and making known to them the fact that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. This Gospel lesson is also an occasion for us to examine the story to see what we may take from that experience that might be helpful us.
Sometimes God gives us experiences which He deliberately designs so that we will never forget them. Sometimes we call them mountain-top experiences. I define a mountain-top spiritual experience as an encounter with the presence of God in which God directs you regarding His plan and purpose for your life.
I have from time to time reflected on my own faith and on conversations I have had with others about their faith. I have found that people who have a strong faith and are committed to their faith are not immune from doubts about their beliefs and their own faith. And we wonder. “What if it isn’t true?” “What if what I believe is wrong?”
Interestingly enough, I used to think that it was only us who have faith in God who entertained doubts about what they believe. But I have come to see that some my atheists friends are not immune to such doubt, they also wonder, “What if there is a God? What if the Bible is true? What if there is a heaven and a hell? What if what I believe is not true? What if I am wrong?”
We are privileged to experience a bit of what Peter, James and John experienced... and we actually hear the voice of God speaking to them and making known to them the fact that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. This Gospel lesson is also an occasion for us to examine the story to see what we may take from that experience that might be helpful us.
Sometimes God gives us experiences which He deliberately designs so that we will never forget them. Sometimes we call them mountain-top experiences. I define a mountain-top spiritual experience as an encounter with the presence of God in which God directs you regarding His plan and purpose for your life.
I have from time to time reflected on my own faith and on conversations I have had with others about their faith. I have found that people who have a strong faith and are committed to their faith are not immune from doubts about their beliefs and their own faith. And we wonder. “What if it isn’t true?” “What if what I believe is wrong?”
Interestingly enough, I used to think that it was only us who have faith in God who entertained doubts about what they believe. But I have come to see that some my atheists friends are not immune to such doubt, they also wonder, “What if there is a God? What if the Bible is true? What if there is a heaven and a hell? What if what I believe is not true? What if I am wrong?”
So this morning, we come to one of those experiences in three of the disciples lives.
As I read the Gospel it had me thinking. Why did this happen to these disciples, and why did it happen at this point in their lives? Well, I have an answer this morning. I believe it was to be an unforgettable mountain-top spiritual experience for these disciples which they would remember when they were in the low-points, or the spiritual and emotional valleys of their lives.
As I read the Gospel it had me thinking. Why did this happen to these disciples, and why did it happen at this point in their lives? Well, I have an answer this morning. I believe it was to be an unforgettable mountain-top spiritual experience for these disciples which they would remember when they were in the low-points, or the spiritual and emotional valleys of their lives.
They were the ones that will be bringing the good news of Jesus life, crucifixion and resurrection to the people.
And that's our lesson this morning. If you've had a mountain-top spiritual experience, remember those mountain top experiences to keep following Christ through the deep valleys of life. Or if you haven't had a mountain-top experience, use this one from the disciples, and remember it so that you will keep following Christ through those deep valleys anyway.
And that's our lesson this morning. If you've had a mountain-top spiritual experience, remember those mountain top experiences to keep following Christ through the deep valleys of life. Or if you haven't had a mountain-top experience, use this one from the disciples, and remember it so that you will keep following Christ through those deep valleys anyway.
Remember the mountain-top experiences when you're in the valley. For some of you it's the moment you decided your faith was important to you, or when you married your best friend, or when your children were born or whatever. For others it will be great answers to prayer. For others it will be when God spoke to you through his Word, or perhaps God gave you a sign and delivered you from despair. He proved it when He gave this incredible demonstration to these three reliable apostles.
If Peter, James, and John hadn’t gotten the message that Jesus was the Messiah, they weren't paying attention very well. Remember by this point these three, and the other disciples, had seen Jesus feed thousands, they heard Jesus teach and preach and had seen people healed. Peter had even publicly declared who Jesus was to the other eleven. Now with the Transfiguration it was confirmed before their eyes and ears Jesus was the Christ.
In several places in the Gospels Jesus is referred to as light or the Light of the World. Here, he shows Peter, James, and John that truth. Through the Gospel he shows the truth to us as well.
But after Jesus’ death and resurrection the disciples were free to talk about it, in fact, talking about it was to be their mission for the rest of their lives. They were transfigured from tax collectors, fishermen, young men to missionaries and evangelists. The transfigured disciples were to go out into a dark world and light up the night sky with the message of the risen Christ.
But after Jesus’ death and resurrection the disciples were free to talk about it, in fact, talking about it was to be their mission for the rest of their lives. They were transfigured from tax collectors, fishermen, young men to missionaries and evangelists. The transfigured disciples were to go out into a dark world and light up the night sky with the message of the risen Christ.
It seems that maybe something similar happens to us. Because of the world of the disciples and many generations of believers since, we have had light, bright light, the light of Jesus Christ, brought into our world during every generation. The message of the risen Christ exists and is alive today because of what many have done before us.
We too have those same kind of responsibilities like the disciples. When we accept the transfigured Christ and become followers of Jesus we become transfigured, we become changed. And, with that change comes the responsibility for going out into a dark world, a night sky and bring light, bring God’s love and peace to all those around us. No one promises this will be easy. But God goes with us just as God has gone with all past generations of Christians. That is good news. Without God in our lives this task and many others would never be possible.
We too have those same kind of responsibilities like the disciples. When we accept the transfigured Christ and become followers of Jesus we become transfigured, we become changed. And, with that change comes the responsibility for going out into a dark world, a night sky and bring light, bring God’s love and peace to all those around us. No one promises this will be easy. But God goes with us just as God has gone with all past generations of Christians. That is good news. Without God in our lives this task and many others would never be possible.
When we talk talk with someone who needs to listen to the message of Jesus. We can’t take the darkness of someone’s life and transfigure it so God’s light will shine. Only God can do that. But God chooses to use us in that process. In that holy moment to be there for that person. God made Jesus shine bright to bring a change in the disciples lives so they might go into the world as instruments of God’s love and peace.
The same is true for us. God transfigures us and sends us out into the world to share His love. God uses us to light the sky of the darkest nights of the soul. So that we can be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world.
The same is true for us. God transfigures us and sends us out into the world to share His love. God uses us to light the sky of the darkest nights of the soul. So that we can be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world.
Amen.
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