Transfiguration
Commentary
There is a mighty difference between the self-made perfectionist who is certain that by his perfection he is deserving of the acceptance of God and the admiration of others and that humble disciple of Christ who knows that what she is she is by the grace of God and is thereby transformed into a new creature in Christ. Check out Leviticus 19:1 and the call to holiness that came to Israel in Babylon. That holiness was meant to be in response to the mighty act of deliverance that God had already given them. Alas, many, like Ezra and Nehemiah, for instance, interpreted it to mean that they had to comport themselves and so deal with others that God would see their perfection and reward them with national greatness as in the days of David. Read the opening verses of Isaiah 9 to gain their vision.
The fellowship of Christians as we know it in our day is caught up in the same dilemma. Not quite able to believe that God loves them before they do anything good, many are forever trying to do what will be pleasing to God so that he will bless them. He is already disposed to bless them but they do not receive the blessing because they do not believe it and do not reach out the hand to receive it.
This dilemma is the curse of the church. Much of the malaise and the concern for all the wrong things that we find in our churches have their root in this inability to accept that grace that transforms us.
OUTLINE I
A Call to Worship
Psalm 99
Introduction: I am always struck by the way in which the poets of Israel shape their prayer and witness poetry. Whereas most of us begin our praises by counting our blessings up front and then bringing God on the scene, the Hebrew poets always begin with God and then speak of his acts and gifts. It is interesting that these poets give God the praise he deserves whether he has done anything for them or not.
Verses 1-5. Consider those key words: reigns, enthroned, exalted, holy, lover of justice, establisher of equity, executor of justice and righteousness.
Then comes the call to worship.
Verses 6, 7. Now there is a recounting of God ïs almighty deeds in the midst of his people. These are events unique to their heritage.
Verses 8, 9. Prayer and praise complete the poem. The poet ends where he began with God up front.
Conclusion: One could use this poem in an exegetical fashion since it addresses so many activities of God. After all it is by his actions that we know him. Of course the poem can be used as is for liturgical purposes. Best of all, I think, would be to leave the first and third sections as they are and to rewrite the middle section listing God ïs evident blessings for his people in the present. Give it a try and then use it either as liturgy or as a sermon base.
OUTLINE II
Passing the Torch
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Introduction: One should not begin to deal with this selection of Scripture without first going back and reviewing previous events for the congregation. Set the stage, let the people know the background, search out those scriptures that tell the story up to this point and then move in on today ïs lesson.
A. In verses 1-4 a fulfillment of Genesis 12:1-4 is summarized. God keeps his promises. Moses is afforded the privilege of seeing the Promised Land but because of his earlier period of pride and doubt is not allowed to enter.
B. Verses 5-9 summarize the death and the life of Moses. Most of the time the writers seem to be bent on cutting Moses down to size in an effort to ensure that the reader understands that what comes to Israel is from the hand of God. At the last, however, Moses is given his due and is pictured as a great man coming to his death in the full bloom of health. Verses 10-12 ensure that Moses will be remembered as the nation ïs greatest prophet.
C. Verse 9 signals the passing of the torch to Joshua, son of Nun. Full power and authority are now his. Check out Joshua 4:14, and read again the renewal of the promise in Joshua 1.
Conclusion: It is important to note that God never lets his promise lapse, never leaves his people without a leader and through this renewed promise and continued leadership is with them. Very often people worry about the presence of God and wonder what he is about when what they need to see is that through the keeping of his promises and the naming of leadership he is with his people.
OUTLINE III
Removing the Veil
2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2
Introduction: It is clear that Paul is addressing a people who are still hung up on Judaism and its attempt to be a people holy enough to merit the power, presence, and acceptance of God. They hang on to their old ways and their old beliefs. They insist that they are on the right track and because they believe that their spiritual and national destiny is at stake hold tenaciously to the past and will not accept new gifts and insights.
A. Remove the veil. Now that Jesus has come and revealed the heart and will of God clearly, they can turn away from an old doctrine of works and self-salvation and accept the grace of God as revealed in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Christ. Paul makes it clear that when one accepts this declaration that God was in Christ revealing himself once and for all the veil falls away and the truth is preceived.
B. Bold Witness. Those who have received the gift of revelation of God ïs acts in Christ, those who now understand that God has made himself known in such a manner that all can see, those who come to know that heart of grace that loves sinners most of all-- these are they who can boldly and without reserve tell the good news to others.
Conclusion: Boldness to witness comes as a result of accepting the grace of God, not believing that we are the perfect called to speak to the imperfect. When we receive his grace we are a people transformed (transfigured) into new creatures in Christ who seem bold but in fact are a people empowered by a new spirit to speak of that gift that has become ours.
The fellowship of Christians as we know it in our day is caught up in the same dilemma. Not quite able to believe that God loves them before they do anything good, many are forever trying to do what will be pleasing to God so that he will bless them. He is already disposed to bless them but they do not receive the blessing because they do not believe it and do not reach out the hand to receive it.
This dilemma is the curse of the church. Much of the malaise and the concern for all the wrong things that we find in our churches have their root in this inability to accept that grace that transforms us.
OUTLINE I
A Call to Worship
Psalm 99
Introduction: I am always struck by the way in which the poets of Israel shape their prayer and witness poetry. Whereas most of us begin our praises by counting our blessings up front and then bringing God on the scene, the Hebrew poets always begin with God and then speak of his acts and gifts. It is interesting that these poets give God the praise he deserves whether he has done anything for them or not.
Verses 1-5. Consider those key words: reigns, enthroned, exalted, holy, lover of justice, establisher of equity, executor of justice and righteousness.
Then comes the call to worship.
Verses 6, 7. Now there is a recounting of God ïs almighty deeds in the midst of his people. These are events unique to their heritage.
Verses 8, 9. Prayer and praise complete the poem. The poet ends where he began with God up front.
Conclusion: One could use this poem in an exegetical fashion since it addresses so many activities of God. After all it is by his actions that we know him. Of course the poem can be used as is for liturgical purposes. Best of all, I think, would be to leave the first and third sections as they are and to rewrite the middle section listing God ïs evident blessings for his people in the present. Give it a try and then use it either as liturgy or as a sermon base.
OUTLINE II
Passing the Torch
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Introduction: One should not begin to deal with this selection of Scripture without first going back and reviewing previous events for the congregation. Set the stage, let the people know the background, search out those scriptures that tell the story up to this point and then move in on today ïs lesson.
A. In verses 1-4 a fulfillment of Genesis 12:1-4 is summarized. God keeps his promises. Moses is afforded the privilege of seeing the Promised Land but because of his earlier period of pride and doubt is not allowed to enter.
B. Verses 5-9 summarize the death and the life of Moses. Most of the time the writers seem to be bent on cutting Moses down to size in an effort to ensure that the reader understands that what comes to Israel is from the hand of God. At the last, however, Moses is given his due and is pictured as a great man coming to his death in the full bloom of health. Verses 10-12 ensure that Moses will be remembered as the nation ïs greatest prophet.
C. Verse 9 signals the passing of the torch to Joshua, son of Nun. Full power and authority are now his. Check out Joshua 4:14, and read again the renewal of the promise in Joshua 1.
Conclusion: It is important to note that God never lets his promise lapse, never leaves his people without a leader and through this renewed promise and continued leadership is with them. Very often people worry about the presence of God and wonder what he is about when what they need to see is that through the keeping of his promises and the naming of leadership he is with his people.
OUTLINE III
Removing the Veil
2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2
Introduction: It is clear that Paul is addressing a people who are still hung up on Judaism and its attempt to be a people holy enough to merit the power, presence, and acceptance of God. They hang on to their old ways and their old beliefs. They insist that they are on the right track and because they believe that their spiritual and national destiny is at stake hold tenaciously to the past and will not accept new gifts and insights.
A. Remove the veil. Now that Jesus has come and revealed the heart and will of God clearly, they can turn away from an old doctrine of works and self-salvation and accept the grace of God as revealed in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Christ. Paul makes it clear that when one accepts this declaration that God was in Christ revealing himself once and for all the veil falls away and the truth is preceived.
B. Bold Witness. Those who have received the gift of revelation of God ïs acts in Christ, those who now understand that God has made himself known in such a manner that all can see, those who come to know that heart of grace that loves sinners most of all-- these are they who can boldly and without reserve tell the good news to others.
Conclusion: Boldness to witness comes as a result of accepting the grace of God, not believing that we are the perfect called to speak to the imperfect. When we receive his grace we are a people transformed (transfigured) into new creatures in Christ who seem bold but in fact are a people empowered by a new spirit to speak of that gift that has become ours.
