"Master, It Is Good For Us To Be Here"

“MASTER, IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE” (Outline)

March 6, 2011 - Transfiguration - LUKE 9:28-36

INTRO: Time is very valuable in each of our lives. Today’s society often distorts the importance of the present. In our lives we look back and we look ahead so much that we can easily overlook present joys. Looking back we have regrets about past mistakes that still haunt us today. Our society wants us always worrying about the future. The most important time is the present: called God’s gift. Today’s text helps us to appreciate the importance of the present. "I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’ Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem" (PSALM 122:1, 2). We gather with great joy around the word of God once again. We desire to know and learn to confess with greater faith the truth of Peter’s confession.

“MASTER, IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE” .

I. To see the glory of Jesus.

II. To hear the Father’s voice.

I. IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE TO SEE THE GLORY OF JESUS.

A. Verse 28. “About eight days after” refers to Peter’s confession that Christ is the Son of God.

1. The church is built upon the truth of the confession that Christ is the Son of God.

2. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain to have time alone with them for prayer.

B. Verse 29. Jesus’ appearance and his clothes change = transfiguration. They become bright white.

1. Verse 30. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in glorious splendor. Eternity, heaven is real.

2. Verse 31. Moses and Elijah come to reassure Jesus concerning his coming suffering and death.

C. Verse 32. The bright glory was there. Still the disciples had to rouse themselves from their dullness.

. Once awake and fully aware the disciples become eyewitnesses of this glorious event.

2. Verse 33a. The present is now important to them. “Master, it is good for us to be here.”

D. At times, and maybe all too often, we are much like these sleepy disciples. Our minds have become dull to the glory of Jesus. We have grown accustomed to the glory of Jesus that we may not always appreciate this precious gift. Our minds can become dull (sleepy) to the wickedness of the world in which we live. Our hearts can become dull to the dangers of evil that oppose Christ and his glorious kingdom. Romans 13 describes the love believers have as God’s gift. "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (ROMANS 13:11). Salvation was near during the time of Paul. It is much nearer now. We will want to be awake to the glory of Jesus. We see Jesus’ glory in everything connected with Jesus.

E. How do we enjoy that present glory of Jesus? How do we learn to look forward to Jesus glory yet to be revealed at Judgment Day? We do this by learning the truth of Peter’s confession: “Master, it is good for us to be here.” By grace God has called each one of us out of darkness. We understand that the world around us is very dark. The wickedness of mankind grows worse with every generation. God does not leave us on our own. By his living and active word God reveals to believers the very glory of Jesus. "It is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’" (EPHESIANS 5:14). It is good for us to be here to see the glory of Jesus.

F. The light of the gospel shines on us. The light of the glory of Jesus shines in us. This divine light of the glorious gospel of Jesus our Savior is to shine through us. The world’s darkness is great. But it is not overwhelming. Believers are the shining lights of God. In this dark world believers bring light and life to the thoughtless thousands still sitting in the dark. "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (DANIEL 12:3). The glory of Jesus on the mount was “bright as a flash of lightning”. Now believers sharing the same enlightening gospel message also “shine like the brightness of the heavens” and “like stars forever”.

“MASTER, IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE” to see and share the glory of Jesus in everything.

II. IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE TO HEAR THE FATHER’S VOICE.