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The Transfiguration and the Hope of Glory
We have a citizenship in heaven. When Christ returns, He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Scripture: Mark 9:1-29
Sermon Notes:
- In Mark 9, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, in keeping with the suffering foreshadowed in Psalm 2, Isaiah 42, and Genesis 22.
- On the mountain, Peter, James, and John are with Jesus as He is transfigured and the Father says: This is My Son. Listen to Him.
- The voice, radiant glory, and cloud echo the theophany of Exodus where Moses met with God. In Exodus 34, Moses' face shone brightly, and in 1 Kings 19 Elijah also met with God on the mountain.
- Jesus drives out the evil spirit by prayer, calling on God's supernatural power.
- The Transfiguration is a manifestation of the glory of God in Jesus, further proving His deity.
- The account of the Transfiguration echoes the account of Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:9-13) and His prayer of agony in the garden (Mark 14:32-42).
- God the Father, Son, and Spirit manifest themselves at Jesus' baptism.
- The Transfiguration is a trinitarian event; the cloud which overshadows the mountain signifies the presence of the Spirit of God.
- Glory and suffering are connected in the NT; Jesus endured the suffering of the cross because of the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:1, Rom. 8:18).
- The application we can draw from this passage can be summed up in three points: the Ministry of the Spirit, the Hope of the Church, and the Mission of the Church.
- The cloud overshadows and protects. Similarly the Spirit overshadows and protects us in our homes, our work, etc. (Exodus 40, Psalm 91:4).
- The Spirit enables us to hear God's voice and to see the Son.
- We know we are sons and daughters of God because of His Spirit (Romans 8:14-16).
- One day we too will be transfigured to radiate God's glory just as Jesus did in the Transfiguration (Phil. 3:20-21).
- We have a citizenship in heaven. When Christ returns, He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
- We are being transformed now by the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
- Listening and obeying the Son is the means of transformation.
- In the book of Revelation, the saints are clothed in bright white garments, which are righteous deeds (Revelation 19).
- We need to move where the Spirit's presence leads us.
- Spiritual idleness leads to spiritual insecurity. We need to be active in the ministry of the church, in addition to engaging in personal devotion.
- Like Paul, we are called to open blind eyes, to call people out of darkness into the community of light (Acts 26:12-18).
- Westminster core values and pillars: Regeneration and Revival, Education, Apologetics, Proclamation; Service (Justice and Compassion), Evangelism, Worship, Nurture
- We who have worshiped must leave this place and go down the mountain to serve.
Application Questions:
- What is the significance of the Transfiguration?
- How do you know that you have the Spirit and that you are a child of God?
- How is cross-bearing obedience a necessary part of listening to Jesus?
- As the bride of Christ, how are we to adorn ourselves?
- What is the significance of the overshadowing presence of the Spirit in our lives?
- How are you using your God-given gifts to contribute to the life and ministry of the church?
- Are you neglecting worship and prayer, and therefore busy but powerless to serve? How can you adjust your priorities, so that worship and prayer become important in your life?
- How is the fulfillment of Westminster's core values and four pillars tied to the transforming of the Word and Spirit on our lives?