Download Study Materials

Looking to Jesus… vs. 1-13

  • Choosing the “special” ones… vs. 1-2
    • There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see…
      • This statement has led to a lot of speculation about it’s meaning…
      • Jesus was not saying some of the disciples would not die – He was talking about…
      • The mount of transfiguration – 3 of the disciples would see Jesus in all His glory
    • 6 days later – Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain…
      • The highest mountain in Israel is Mt. Hermon – 2,814 meters
      • You can see Mt. Hermon from Caesarea Philippi (who do you say I am)
      • It is about a ½ day hike from the city to the base of the mountain
    • Why only these 3 disciples…
      • The first thing we notice is that not all the disciples go with Jesus – just the 3…
        • Bring the girl back to life – Mark 5:37 / Mt. of Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1
        • End time teaching – Mark 13:3 / Now the Garden of Gethsemane – Matthew 26
        • The typical view is to think these disciples were special – super disciples
        • The ones destined to be powerfully used by God – so they saw more
      • But it was not a matter of being special – as much as they were “special”
        • Not that they were better than the rest – they were more trouble!
        • Peter – speak first – then think – always getting him into trouble…
        • Sons of Thunder – Should we call down fire – Luke 9:54 
        • We may think that God only uses those with great gifts, talents, or ability
        • Turns out that not the case – God uses the foolish! – I Corinthians 1:26-27
        • God loves to use people like you and me – the ‘Special’ ones!
        • That way when God does a work – everyone knows it’s the Lord!
  • Light of the world… vs. 3
    • When they reached the top of the mountain – Jesus was transfigured…
      • His clothes as white as snow (whiter than anyone could ever make them by washing)
      • For just a moment Jesus reveals Himself in all His glory… God almighty!
      • Like the sun and light – Luke 9:29
        • John 8:12 – “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
        • Jesus is the light of the world that takes us out of darkness
        • He shows us the light of salvation – the hope of the Gospel – heaven!
    • Jesus was transfigured – metamorphoo – to change into something else…
      • We are also called to be a light to the world – Matthew 5:14 
      • In of ourselves – we are not that light – we don’t shine like the sun…
      • We become that light as we are transformed – changed… (2 things)
        • Romans 12:2 – “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed [same word] by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
        • It is really easy to get caught up in this world
        • We want to be accepted by those around us – be like them
        • We don’t want to stand out – become a target – we want to blend into the world…
        • But if we conform to the world – we are not transformed for Jesus
      • Without Jesus – we are just a big dead rock…
        • The moon is a just a large dead rock – it gives off no light…
        • If the world comes between the sun and the moon – it stays dark…
        • But when the moon looks at the sun – it is transformed…
        • It reflects the light of the sun for the whole world to see!
        • II Corinthians 3:18 – “…we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [same word] into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
        • When we look to Jesus – we are transformed – we reflect the Love & Light of Jesus…
        • We become that light that shows the world the hope of Jesus!
  • How to be transformed – be a light to the world… vs. 4-10 (4 things)
    • 1st – Through the Word…
      • Moses & Elijah appeared with Jesus there on the mountain
      • Luke 9:31 – “Speaking of how he was about to fulfill God’s plan by dying in Jerusalem.”
      • The testimony of the Law and the Prophets…
        • Moses wrote the 1st 5 books of the Bible – the Law of God
        • Elijah was the greatest Prophet – he never died – II Kings 2:11
      • They represented the Word of God – testifying Jesus was the Christ!
        • And they talked with Him about God’s plan of salvation – the Gospel
        • Luke 23:44 – “[The plan] that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning [Jesus].”
        • We will be transformed – changed – become a light to the World…
        • As we spend time in the Word – learning about Jesus!
        • We will be a light as we share the Word – Gospel – with others
    • 2nd – Through the good times and the bad…
      • During this whole encounter Peter and the boys were sleeping – Luke 9:32
      • Perhaps because it was a REALLY tall mountain – they were just tired
      • When they finally woke up and saw Jesus, Moses, and Elijah revealed in glory…
      • Peter answered – its good for us to be here – let us make 3 tents – Jesus / Moses / Elijah
      • The idea being Peter wanted to stay right there – in the presence of God’s Glory
      • Life if full of mountains and valleys – ups and downs – good times and bad
        • When we get to the mountain top… we want to stay right there
        • Set up a couple of tents and just hang out in the good times!
      • But things don’t grow very well on high mountains…
        • High mountains are barren on top – things grow best in the valleys
        • It seems every mountain is followed by a valley
        • In the hard times we have to depend on Jesus – it’s where we grow more in Jesus…
      • We become a light to the world when we look to Jesus…
        • Not just when we are on the mountain top – good times
        • But when we are in the Valleys – tough times
    • 3rd – By listening to the Lord…
      • While Peter was still speaking – a voice from the cloud said… “This is My Beloved Son…”
      • Hear Him! (Imperative)
        • Peter was talking – not knowing what he was saying – rather than listening 
        • So often we end up talking to God when we should be listening
        • There is nothing we know – God does not already know
        • There is a LOT God knows – that we have yet to learn…
        • Hear Him – we become a light to the world when we take the time to listen
    • 4th – By not looking to our fears – but looking to Jesus…
      • When they heard the voice – they fell on their faces terrified – Matthew 17:6
      • But Jesus touched them – and said arise (Imperative) do not fear (Imperative)
        • If we are overwhelmed by fear – or the circumstances of life
        • The best answer is to fall on our faces – and pray!
        • When we find ourselves on our knees – that is when Jesus touches us
        • Its on our knees we can hear the Lord – be encouraged we have no reason to fear
      • When the 3 looked up they saw only Jesus!
        • Then when we look up – we no longer see the things that scared us
        • We just see Jesus – when we see Jesus – we reflect the Light of the World
    • On their way down the mountain Jesus commanded them – tell no one…
      • Tell no one about what they had seen – until the Son of Man had risen from the dead…
      • Now Jesus is risen – so let’s tell everyone!
  • Why must Elijah come first… vs. 11-13
    • The disciples question Jesus on the way down the mountain…
      • They had just seen absolute proof that Jesus was the Messiah – in His glory!
      • They had also just seen Elijah the Prophet…
    • So they wanted to know why the Scribes (religious leaders) say Elijah came first…
      • The answer is in the last verses of the Old Testament – Malachi 4:5 
      • Elijah did have to come before the Messiah – to prepare the hearts of men…
    • Looking towards the cross…
      • Jesus answered Elijah needed to come first – but Elijah had already come… 
      • John the Baptist was Elijah – but men missed him – they did not know who he was…
      • Instead they killed him to silence him & his message – they’d do the same with Jesus
      • Jesus knew His time was short – and the cross was near…

Pointing others to Jesus… vs. 14-21

  • The Epileptic son… vs. 14-18
    • Returning from Mt. Hermon Jesus saw the Religious leaders arguing with the disciples…
      • Likely they were questioning – perhaps mocking them – for not being able to help…
      • The son with a ‘mute spirit’ – ‘seized him, convulsed, foamed, cried out, then fainted…’
      • The Father had brought him to the disciples – but they were unable to help the boy…
  • Faithless generation… vs. 19-27
    • Jesus answers – “O faithless generation, how longs shall I be with you…”
      • Not that they had no faith – they had misplaced faith…
      • Our problem is never a lack of faith – it was where our faith is placed
        • I have seen extraordinary faith in ‘faith healers’ – but they have not power to heal…
        • I have seen stubborn faith in money – but money disappears as quick as it comes…
        • We all have faith – lots of it – our problem is we don’t always put our faith in Jesus
      • Far too often we put our faith in our own abilities – or the abilities of others
        • And when we or they fail – then we blame God for not taking care of us
        • Yet we were not looking to God – we were looking to ourselves or others
    • “Bring him here to Me!”  (Imperative) – the simple answer to every problem…
      • The son was brought to Jesus – immediately he fell onto the ground rolling around
      • The father explained this had been happening since his childhood…
      • Jesus answered – If you can believe – all things are possible…
        • The father had faith in himself to be able to help his son – and failed
        • The Father had faith in the disciples to be able to help his son – they failed
        • The only answer left was for the Father to believe that Jesus could help his son
      • The father answered with tears – Lord I believe – help my unbelief…
        • An honest and transparent answer – he believed – and he doubted…
        • If I asked – is anything to hard for God – we would all answer no
        • Yet when we are faced with trials – hardships in life – God is the last place we go…
        • We believe – but somehow we also doubt – how do we overcome our doubt…
        • It is not how – but who we spend time with – Romans 10:17
        • Our confidence in Jesus grows as we spend time in His Word – time with Jesus!
      • Jesus rebuked the ‘deaf and dumb spirit’ – and it came out of the boy…
        • The moment we have faith in the right answer – Jesus – there is hope
        • Only when we take our problem to the ONLY answer do we find the cure!
  • Why could we not… vs. 28-29
    • When the disciples came into the house they asked Jesus privately…
      • They had their pride a wounded – and they did not want to make it public
      • They asked, “Why could (dunamis – to have power) we not…”
      • The answer was in their question – why could ‘We’…
      • They were not trusting in Jesus – they were trusting in themselves
      • Worse than that – they were teaching others to look to the wrong answer…
      • If people come to us looking for answers and help – it’s easy to be the answer…
        • If someone needs food, money, or wise counsel… we try to be Jesus
        • And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
        • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God
        • The problem is we are limited – and can’t always help those who look to us
        • Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back… again and again…
        • We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
      • It is only when we point others to Jesus we really give them the answer
        • He has no limitations – all the abilities – all the resources – all the power!
        • He is the only answer that we need to give to those who are in need!
        • Our opportunity – responsibility – it to be a billboard that says, ‘this way to Jesus’!
    • Prayer and fasting…
      • However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting…
      • Jesus point is that some problems are tougher than others…
      • The toughest of them take prayer and fasting…
      • Prayer – taking time to talk to Jesus / Fasting – focus on Jesus
      • When we are faced with the toughest problems – the answer is the same
      • The point being really tough problems take LOTS of Jesus to cure it!
      • Our problems may change – the answer never does!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *