VALUE THE GLORY OF GOD’S WORD (Outline)
February 14, 2010 -
Transfiguration -
2 PETER 1:16-21
INTRO: Today we stand at the threshold of the Lenten season. Before we enter into the days that reveal the great humiliation of Jesus we are privileged to stand on the mount of glory. At Transfiguration the glory of Jesus as God’s Son was revealed to his disciples. Today’s text takes us to see that same glory of Jesus. We see the glory of Jesus by eyewitnesses and by inspiration. We see the very glory of Jesus in the word of God we call the Holy Scriptures – the Bible. "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe" (HEBREWS 1:1,2). May the Lord speak to our hearts as we study the word of God chosen for growing our faith.
VALUE THE GLORY OF GOD’S WORD.
I. It comes from eyewitnesses.
II. It comes by the will of God.
I. THE GLORY OF GOD’S WORD COMES FROM EYEWITNESSES
A. Peter was writing to Christians who were being persecuted. They were driven out from their homes.
1. These believers ran into different cultures, teachings, and philosophies centered on false gods.
2. Verse 16a. The false gods they met had invented stories (myths) to try to explain them.
3. Verse 16b. Jesus was their real, only, true God. His story was not made up or invented.
B. Peter assures these believers that their faith was the true faith. Peter knows by grace and by sight.
1. Verse 17. Peter, James, and John saw Jesus changed before their very eyes (Gospel, below).
a. Jesus’ appeared with glory – God’s Son. b. Moses and Elijah were there – life after death.
2. Reread Peter’s testimony. He does not speak about the sight but about what he heard.
C. Verse 18. It was the mountain voice, God’s word that Peter testified about as the very glory of God.
D. Throughout the ages God’s word has been faithfully preserved. Generation after generation God’s word has been kept safe. Eyewitness after eyewitness has testified that God’s word is the truth. There may be many who outright reject the truth of the word of God. Man’s denial does not remove the glory of God from his word of truth. As believers the word of God is filled with his truth for our lives. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encour-agement of the Scriptures we might have hope"(ROMANS 15:4). Our world seems to grow ever darker and ever more hopeless with every passing day. In the midst of hopelessness God’s word is our hope.
E. Eyewitnesses are considered to be very important in discovering the truth to a matter. Peter was an eyewitness to the many miracles of God. He saw Jesus changed before his very eyes on the mount of Transfiguration. Yet, his testimony was about the word/voice that revealed Jesus as God’s Son. This same voice of God still speaks to us today. We are the eyewitnesses of God’s glory. "’You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me’" (ISAIAH 43:10). This is God’s glory that we know him and believe him and understand that he is the Lord. All too many are still looking and seeking the meaning for life. We are witnesses that God brings life.
F. The glory of God’s word is not always like a lightning bolt or blinding light. It can be. More often the glory of God is revealed as the gentle whisper of the voice of God. Elijah wanted to see God. God placed Elijah on a mountain. A mighty wind blew, an earthquake shook the mountain, and finally a fire came. These were powerful displays of glory but the Lord was not in them. Next, a gentle whisper came – and, Elijah knew – this was the Lord. "God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him"(ACTS 5:31, 32). With his gentle whisper written in Scripture the Lord reminds us of repentance and forgiveness. We are eyewitnesses of God’s glory.
VALUE THE GLORY OF GOD’S WORD.
Eyewitnesses, past and present, see and declare glory.
II. THE GLORY OF GOD’S WORD COMES BY THE WILL OF GOD.
A. Peter experienced the joy of being in the presence of the very glory of God on the mount.
1. This miracle experience was to strengthen his faith for the coming days of Jesus’ rejection.
2. Verse 19a. Jesus’ glory revealed confirmed the word of truth for Peter. He was certain.
3. Verse 19b. These people seemed to be in a dark place, persecuted. God’s light/glory shines!
B. Verse 20. The words these early believers heard were the very words of God.
1. There were lots of myths and invented stories floating around. Not so for the Christians.
2. Perfection is ruined by sin. God’s plan provides a Savior born of a virgin. Not man’s idea.
C. Verse 21. Peter emphasizes again the power and purpose of God’s plans not man’s plans.
1. Jonah unwillingly preached repentance to Nineveh. Nineveh repented and later defeated Israel.
2. God gave his prophets the very words and his thoughts to write. God’s word is glorious.
D. Today, more than ever it is vitally important that we value Scripture as the very word of God. The words written down in the pages of Scripture truly are God’s words just as the Lord revealed to man to be recorded by men. By faith through grace the Lord has opened our hearts to know, believe, and confess in the glory that is discovered in the word of God. For many the cross of Christ is still foolishness. By God’s grace the cross of Christ is our eternal salvation – guaranteed. "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words" (1 CORINTHIANS 2:13). Love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness are all spiritual words expressing the very spiritual truths of the glory of God’s word. Outside of Christianity people struggle to understand.
E. It is that gentle whisper of the Lord that still comes alive whenever we hear, read, or study the sacred pages of our Bibles. It is on these pages that the Lord God Almighty comes to each one of us and speaks to us. We do not have to climb a mountain to see or hear the glory of God. The Lord God Almighty brings the mountain to us in his word. "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe" (1 THESSALONIANS 2:13). God’s glory seen.
F. The word of God is still as true and as accurate as ever. In his infinite wisdom and with divine care our Lord God Almighty has preserved his holy word for believers today. That word of God is living and active. Not just a part of it or some of it but all of God’s word is important. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work"(2 TIMOTHY 3:16,17). God’s word is useful for different purposes at different times in the life of every believer. We do not need “dreams” or “prophecies” of self-proclaimed people today. We have God’s own word still very alive and well in our Bibles.
CONC.: Many of us have grown up appreciating the value of the word of God for and in our lives. Because of that we might overlook the value of the glory of God’s word that is still important for and in each of our lives. We are encouraged to value the glory of God’s word. It comes from eyewitnesses of the past. We are the eyewitnesses of God’s glory in the present to prepare others and ourselves for the future. This glory of the word of the God comes by his will not man’s will. "But these are written that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name"(JOHN 20:31). God’s glory – we believe and we have eternal life. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
TRANSFIGURATION rdgs:
EXODUS 34:29-35;
2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-6;
LUKE 9:28-36;
(PSALM 148)
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