Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Visiting a holy place - the mount of transfiguration
• A unique event
• Only one place in the New Testament described as holy - the Sacred Mount (as described by Peter)
• We don't know which mountain it is

What happened?

• A real event
• Peter refers to it in his second epistle
• Overview
• The disciples fell asleep as Jesus prayed
• The disciples saw a vision of glory that overwhelmed them
• The disciples suggested putting up 3 tents
• The disciples heard the voice of God
• The glory of God that was veiled was now visible
• Partially, temporarily withdrawn
• We are able to see part of His glory
• Given a foretaste of the glory given to heaven
• The glory that we will see
• A preview, a taster of what is to come - of the joy given to Jesus
• From this moment on Jesus will speak about the cross and His coming sufferings
• Yet even though Jesus will associate with sin
• God still delights in Him
• An encouragement for the Lord Jesus Christ
• The two saints standing with Christ reassure us of our heavenly future

How much do you value Jesus Christ?

• The transfiguration shows the superiority of Christ over all
• Greater than Abraham and Moses - explanation
• Greater then Elijah and Enoch - explanation
• Elijah and Moses do not stand as equals with Jesus Christ
• This is the mistake Peter made - to construct 3 tents
• Peter is rebuked by the voice from heaven
• Moses and Elijah:
• Need forgiveness (like we do)
• Were servants that God was displeased in
• Only in Jesus is God "well pleased"
• There was to be an exodus, a departure of Christ
• A great deliverance would take place [at the cross]
• Jesus was Master but Moses and Elijah the servants
• Jesus is the great High Priest - explanation
• Their spiritual lives descend from Him - explanation
• Jesus is not just a law giver or inspired prophet
• He is the Beloved Son
• He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
• He shines with the brilliance of the eternal Godhead
• He alone can redeem our souls
• There is a tendency in human nature to usurp the authority of Christ
• But men are just men
• We must not place any person above Christ

Hear Him

• Obedience to Him must come before our experience of Him
• Was he elevating his experience above his obedience to Jesus?
• 'It is good to be here'
• But Peter didn't know what he was saying
• It was to be a temporary experience
• Clinging onto to the mountain top would delay the work of the Christ
• cf. Matt 16
• There is suffering, service and sacrifice to be done
• Obedience to Him must come before our enjoyment of Him
• A temporary existence and then the eternal glory
• cf. John 17
• We must keep listening to the words of Christ
• To His Gospel
• To His authority
• To hear exposition of the Scriptures
• Are you being moulded by the world or transformed by God's will?
• Are you hearing Him?

Closing Remarks