Sermon Central
-
Transfigurations Are Big ...
Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jun 16, 2009 (message contributor)
Transfigurations are Big Business
The church calls this event the Transfiguration of Christ. Jesus was
"transfigured": the figure, the image, the look that he had, the face that
showed to others was changed over. The appearance of his face changed. Jesus
had a different look.
Transfigurations are big business today. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t
want one, including me. And many of us work hard and spend a lot of money to
get one -- a new face, a new look, a changed appearance.
Transfigurations are big business because we are very aware of the face we
present to the world. And we will alter our face to our advantage if we can.
Sometimes the change is not just in looks but in our whole image --
including our name.
Larushka Shikne did not like the image he thought his name projected, so he
changed his name to Laurence Harvey. Issur Danielovitch Densky did the same
thing and became Kirk Douglas.
In the same way, Frances Gum transfigured herself and her image into Judy
Garland. Archibald Leach became Cary Grant. Aaron Schwalt became Red
Buttons.
And would you have paid money to see Marion Morrison in the movies? Maybe,
but Marion didn’t take that chance, he became John Wayne.
Remember that in Holy Scriptures many people got new names to go with a new
life and a new image. Abram became Abraham. Sarai became Sarah. Jacob became
Israel. Saul became Paul. Simon became Peter, "The Rock."
Transfigurations are not the exception. They are the rule. We are all being
altered in the appearance of our face, our countenance. We are all changing.
To live is to be continually transfigured. So who are we becoming? I don’t
mean to suggest that Jesus’ transfiguration was a triumph of cosmetology. It
wasn’t. He did not have it done to himself, it was given to him. St. Luke’s
Gospel says that Jesus was praying when it happened.
The Protestant Hour Feb. 14, 1999. Episcopal speaker.. The Rt. Reverend Robert Johnson
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
An Ancient Chassidic Parable Tells The Story Of ... PRO
Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 21, 2004
An ancient Chassidic parable tells the story of Yechiel, the young grandson of a Chassidic rabbi, who once played hide-and-seek with a friend. When it was his turn to hide, he found a great hiding place where he waited, somewhat impatiently, for his friend to find him. He waited and waited; it ...read more
-
Early In My Ministry, I Met A Man Named Worral. ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004
Early in my ministry, I met a man named Worral. He had been stricken with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15, and when I met him 30 years later, he was totally paralyzed except for 1 finger, could barely speak and was totally blind. But he had a string tied to that one mobile finger that could turn on ...read more
-
Mitsuo Fuchida Was The Pilot In Charge Of ... PRO
Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004
ILL. Mitsuo Fuchida was the pilot in charge of one of the most successful aerial attacks in recorded history. Under his command was a squadron of 360 specially selected pilots, & on Dec. 7, 1941, Fuchida’s squadron bombed Pearl Harbor. He quickly became one of the most highly decorated pilots ...read more
-
Billy Graham Once Said, "What Is Heaven Going To ...
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Sep 26, 2004
Billy Graham once said, “What is heaven going to be like? Just as there is a mystery to hell, so there is a mystery to heaven. Yet I believe the Bible teaches that both are literal places. I’m not worried about where ...read more
-
In "Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary ... PRO
Contributed by Jeff Simms on Apr 18, 2004
In “Let’s Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage”, Lisa Beamer reflects on the loss of her dad. She says, “Slowly, I began to understand that the plans God has for us don’t just include “good things”, but the whole array of human events. The “prospering” he talks about in the book of ...read more
Related Sermons
-
God’s Power Can Change Your Life Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Apr 21, 2016
This sermon looks at three areas that God can help you change your life. 1. God’s Power Can CANCEL Your Past 2. God’s Power Can CONQUER Your Problems 3. God’s Power Can CHANGE Your Personality
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
God Will Do It Again
Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Jun 14, 2020
Everything God does is good. What He did in the Bible, He's still able to do today.
-
Coming Off The Mountain
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jun 7, 2014
What happens when you descend from a mountaintop experience with Jesus.
-
Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord Series
Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018
When people try to hinder your crying out to Jesus, do what Bartimaeus did: Resist them. Don't let them intimidate you into silence.
