Sermons

(The first six sentences that follow are not recorded.) In the gospels, all events are flowing toward Mount Calvary. Today, the common wisdom is that there are many roads to heaven. Jesus taught that the way through Mount Calvary is the only way. Jesus, Peter, James and John went apart to pray, but the disciples fell asleep during the prayers. When they awoke, Jesus was praying, and His glory broke forth in his appearance. There were legal witnesses to this glory, Moses and Elijah, and then also the three disciples. The glory they witnesses was God's dwelling or settling glory, known as Shekhina glory, as we see pictured later on in Revelation. The other kind of glory is manifested glory, which we see in creation, in the lives of believers, the church and in Jesus' ministry on earth--His goodness and greatness. (Recording begins here in progress) Moses and Elijah were witnesses of the Old Testament and knew about Jesus' eventual departure in glory. Elijah was the first of the great prophets. Luke constantly shows us that we must exercise faith. There are wrong ways to exercise it, as we see with Peter and James. They want to hold onto a "mountaintop experience," to hold onto God's glory. We always have to come back to the valley where life is. Also, Jesus doesn't need a shrine. The most important thing they didn't understand--Jesus' plan of salvation. His crucifixion would begin His people's exodus from bondage to sin. Another point about Moses and Elijah--they were not dead; they enjoy life after death. Another point--we will share in the glory of God. In the process of our exodus are justification, sanctification and glorification. We are told that Moses and Elijah "appeared in glory." It will be the same glorification we will experience. They stand as witnesses of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Now there are three more witnesses--Peter, James and John. They heard God speaking out of the cloud of glory, telling the disciples to listen to Jesus. To listen is to act in obedience to what is told, to make a change in behavior. Those who don't obey--God will require their lives. In 2 Peter, the apostle exhorts to pay attention to the Word of Truth. We must hear Jesus and do what He says.