A Messiah of Glory
Text: Matt. 17:1-13
Introduction
1. Illustration: J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub."
He headed his compositions: "J.J." "Jesus Juva" which means "Jesus help me."
He ended them "S.D.G." "Soli Dei gratia" which means "To God alone the praise."
2. Like Bach and his music, the goal of our lives should be to give glory to God. However, a secondary goal should be to experience His glory like the three disciples did.
3. The three keys to experiencing His glory are:
a. We will experience His glory when we are alone with Him.
b. When we experience His glory we will be overwhelmed.
c. Because we have experienced His glory we will understand.
4. Read Matthew 17:1-13
Proposition: Experiencing the glory of God will radically transform our lives.
Transition: First, we must understand that...
I. We Will Experience His Glory When We Are Alone With Him (1-3).
A. Jesus' Appearance Was Transformed
1. Jesus frequently took his disciples somewhere so that they could be alone together. However, this time it was going to be different, radically different!
2. Matthew tells us, "Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone."
a. Tradition says that the Transfiguration occurred on Mount Tabor, but it is more likely that is happened on a mountain near Caesarea Philippi, possibly Mount Hermon which is 12 miles northwest of Capernaum.
b. Just as Moses went up the mountain accompanied three companions, Jesus is accompanied by three of his closest and most intimate disciples.
c. Jesus is taking them as far away from other people and the pressures of life as possible (France, 646).
d. Those who separate themselves from God often receive great revelations from Him (Horton, 355).
3. Next we learn that when they got there something incredible happened. Matthew says, "As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light."
a. He said that as they watched Jesus body went through a radical physical transformation.
b. μεταμορφόομαι: to take on a different physical form or appearance (Louw and Nidda, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Symantic Domains).
c. The visual transformation is not so much a physical alteration as an added dimension of glory; it is the same Jesus, but now with an awesome brightness like the sun or light.
d. This was different from the radiance of Moses face when he came off Mount Sinai.
e. His face shown because of the glory he had seen of God, but Jesus face shown because of his own glory (France, 647).
f. The white robe and brilliant face typify the splendor, majesty and radiance of heavenly beings.
g. However, Jesus glory was not an external light shinning on him, but it was an internal radiance.
h. The imagery shows that Jesus was endued with a glorified, heavenly body (Horton, 355).
4. This gives their call to follow Jesus a new sense of urgency.
a. The urgency of the preceding call for the disciples to take up their cross in the light of Jesus’ soon-coming glory is now readily understood, because three of them receive an unmistakable revelation of Jesus’ identity.
b. Matthew uses the passive of the verb metamorphoo, indicating that God is behind the transformation.
c. Paul uses the same verb to describe the spiritual transformation that believers experience as a result of regeneration.
d. But here Jesus experiences a physical transformation visible to the disciples (Wilkins, NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: Matthew, 590).
5. As if this wasn't a radical enough experience, Matthew tells us, "Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus."
a. Moses and Elijah came to speak with Jesus about the things to come.
b. This shows that Moses and Elijah were aware of what was happening and what was about to happen, and that what Jesus was about to accomplish would effect them also.
c. Both are mentioned at the end of the last book of the OT, and both left this world in an unusual manner.
d. Malachi 4:4-5 (NLT)
4 “Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.
5 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives.
e. Moses was buried by God while he was still full of vigor and Elijah was caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (Horton, 357).
f. As no others, Moses and Elijah represented the Old Testament, the law and the prophets.
g. And as no others, they could give human testimony to Christ's divine majesty and glory (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Matthew 16-23).
h. Their appearance on the mountain with Jesus indicates the greatness of Jesus, who transcends them both as the One who will be declared the Son of God (Wilkins, 591).
B. Alone With God
1. Illustration: “Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray” (M.E. Andross).
2. Time alone with God will radically change you - forever!
a. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NLT)
16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes
17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
b. It will change your spiritual life.
c. It will change your outlook on life.
d. It will change your day.
e. It will enrich your life.
3. Time alone with God will increase your spiritual passion.
a. Luke 24:32 (NLT)
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
b. It will stir up in you a passion for God.
c. It will stir up in you a passion for the Word.
d. It will stir up in you a passion for worship.
e. It will stir up in you a passion for witness.
f. It will stir up in you a passion for service.
g. It will light you up and set you ablaze for Jesus!
Transition: One result of experiencing His glory is...
II. When We Experience His Glory We Will Be Overwhelmed (4-8).
A. Fell Face Down
1. To say that these three disciples were overwhelmed at what they saw was an understatement.
a. They saw two pillars of the faith that they had heard and read about since they were little boys.
b. Oh yeah, and they had been gone for thousands of years!
c. They saw Jesus' body transformed in a way that defied description.
d. If you could imagine the look on their faces was one of total astonishment.
2. Matthew portrays for us just how overwhelmed they were when he states, "Peter blurted out, 'Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'”
a. Peter "blurted out," which indicates that he is stepping forward once again as a leader and spokesman for the others as he tries to respond to these spectacular appearances.
b. This is the fourth of five incidents in which Matthew emphasizes a prominent role for Peter.
c. Each incident reveals a forcefulness of character that will be used for his leadership role, but which also reveals that he is an imperfect leader in the process of growth (Wilkins, 591).
d. Peter recognized that this was a unique experience, but he didn't know how to respond, and so he offered to build three tents for these heavenly beings because he didn't want the experience to end (Horton, 357).
e. "Lord, this is awesome. Let's have a campout!"
f. However, as the next verses indicate, however, Peter does not grasp fully the stature of Jesus, for he is not just another Old Testament figure like Moses and Elijah.
g. Jesus is superior in every way, and his transfiguration confirms this fact (Wilkins, 592).
3. As if Peter and his companions are not overwhelmed enough, look what happens next. "But even as he spoke, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.'”
a. Before Peter could finish his suggestion, he is interrupted by God the Father, who appeared in a bright shining cloud.
b. This was no ordinary cloud, but a heavenly cloud that contained the presence of God just as it did on several occasions in the OT.
c. The bright cloud that enveloped or "overshadowed" them is described in language reminiscent of the Jewish doctrine of the Shekinah, God's presence, especially recalling God's presence in the tabernacle in the wilderness (Keener).
d. Peter's suggestion was irrelevant because the presence of God himself enveloped the three heavenly bodies.
e. The words of the Father were for the strength and encouragement of the disciples.
f. He also wanted them to know that the Cross and the Resurrection were central to the Good News.
g. They needed to look to Jesus and not Moses and Elijah (Horton, 359).
h. His added comment to "listen to him," echos the statement in Deut. 18 that a future prophet like Moses was to come to whom the people are to listen (France, 650).
4. Well if they weren't overwhelmed before they certainly are now. Matthew indicates this by saying, "The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground."
a. The disciples recognized the presence of God and fell on their faces.
b. Fear is a natural human response when confronted with the majesty and holiness of God in an unusual way (Horton, 359).
c. Peter was probably so utterly traumatized that he promptly forgot about his presumptuous suggestion to build the three tabernacles.
d. The combined awareness of the Lord's grace and His majesty, His love and His justice, His friendship and His lordship should cause a kind of spiritual tension in every believer.
e. On the one hand he rejoices in his loving fellowship with the Lord because of His gracious kindness, and on the other hand he has reverential fear as he contemplates His awesome holiness and righteousness.
f. As the believer walks in obedience to God, he experiences the comfort of His presence.
g. But as he walks in disobedience, he should feel the terror of that same presence.
h. Proverbs declares that spiritual wisdom begins with the fear of God (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Matthew 16-23).
5. However, Jesus, always the loving, caring Messiah, "came over and touched them. ‘Get up,' he said 'Don’t be afraid.' And when they looked, they saw only Jesus."
a. Moses and Elijah left and they are once again alone with Jesus.
b. His touch drives away all fear, and signifies a blessing (Horton, 359).
c. As he often did, Jesus crosses barriers and communicates his kindness by touching.
d. He then speaks words of assurance customary for divine and angelic revelations: Get up. . . . Don't be afraid (Keener).
e. Matthew is clear that when they looked up they saw only Jesus. He would always be with them and would be all that they would need.
B. His Awesomeness
1. Illustration: "We must understand that the greatest treasure is waiting in front of every believer. We've all seen reality shows. I'd even guess that you have imagined winning a million dollars. You may not have phrased it exactly like this, but the question comes down to, 'What would it be like to have success in this life?' Your definition of success depends on where your imagination has taken you. But whatever definition of success you've formed is only the beginning of what it means to encounter God. A million dollars? A hundred million? All is nothing compared to experiencing God"(Dwayne Roberts, One Thing, 44-45).
2. A personal experience with God brings peace.
a. Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
b. The experiences the world offers will leave you hurt, lonely, sick, desperate, and without hope.
c. A personal experience with Jesus will give you peace of heart.
d. A personal experience with Jesus will give you peace of mind.
e. A personal experience with Jesus will give you peace that surpasses understanding.
3. A personal experience with God brings joy.
a. Acts 8:6-8 (NLT)
6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.
7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.
8 So there was great joy in that city.
b. It will give you joy in the face of sorrow.
c. It will give you joy in the face of difficulty.
d. It will give you joy in the face of turmoil.
e. Experiences in the world will bring you down, but an experience with Jesus will lift you up!
4. A personal experience with God brings power.
a. Acts 1:8 (NLT)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
b. An experience with Jesus will overwhelm you, but it will not overpower you.
c. It will give you power you have never known.
d. It will give you power to overcome.
e. It will give you power for life.
f. It will give you power to succeed.
g. It will give power to serve.
Transition: Another positive aspect of the glory of God is...
III. Because We Have Experienced His Glory We Will Understand (9-13).
A. The Disciples Realized
1. Now I don't know about you, but if I had seen what these guys did I'd be going to town.
a. I'd be on Face Book and Twitter.
b. I'd be emailing everyone on my contacts list.
c. I'd call everybody's number stored in my cell phone (all the folks at Sprint would be going "cha-ching!")
d. I'd be saying, "guess what I just saw?"
2. These guys had to have been chomping at the bit, but as they are coming down the mountain Jesus says, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
a. I'd be like, "Dude, seriously? You've gotta be kidding me?"
b. This is the fifth and final time in Matthew's Gospel that the disciples are told not to tell others what they know.
c. It would only be after the resurrection that they were to proclaim Jesus as Messiah.
d. If they hadn't then people would have wanted Jesus to take control which wasn't why he came.
e. He came to be a suffering servant not a conquering King. That would come at his second coming.
3. So, the disciples being who they are at this point, ask Jesus a stupid question. They said, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”
a. This question shows that in spite of hearing the voice of God, they were still bothered by the voices of men.
b. They Scribes were using the verse from Malachi against Jesus as Messiah (Horton, 361).
c. Even after seeing Jesus' transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, and hearing the audible voice of God, they still didn't get it.
4. So Jesus, being the patient and kind teacher that he is, explains it to them by saying, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready for the Messiah. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”
a. Jesus goes beyond the teaching of the Scribes and explained that Elijah had already come in the person of John the Baptist.
b. John came in the spirit and power of Elijah and Jesus came in the spirit and power of King David.
c. If they would listen to Jesus they would come to know the truth, and Jesus used this teachable moment to prepare them for the cross (Horton, 361).
5. After hearing this, Matthew tells us, "Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist."
a. Matthew tells us that they understood what Jesus was trying to tell them.
b. Jesus goes on to give teaching or revelation that finally brings the disciples to the point of understanding.
c. Matthew emphasizes how Jesus and his teaching bring enlightenment in the path of discipleship (Wilkins, 595).
d. So as a result of being with Jesus - they get it!
B. Spiritual Insight
1. Illustration: Haddon Robinson says it best, "With Him the calf is always the fatted calf; the robe is always the best robe; the joy is always unspeakable; and the peace passes understanding. There is no grudging in God’s goodness. He does not measure His goodness by drops like a druggist filling a prescription. It comes upon in floods. If only we recognize the lavish abundance of His gifts, what a difference it would make in our lives!"
2. We must constantly strive for the knowledge of God.
a. Proverbs 2:2-5 (NLT)
2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
b. We must seek to know Him more.
c. We must seek to know His Word more.
d. We must seek to know His will.
e. We must seek to know His ways.
3. We must constantly strive for the wisdom of God.
a. James 1:5 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
b. Knowledge is what you know, wisdom is what you do with what you know.
c. It is taking the knowledge of God and putting it into practice.
4. If we seek after God He will give us all these things.
a. Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT)
12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.
13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
b. He will allow you to experience his glory.
c. He will allow you to know Him more.
d. He will give us the wisdom we need.
e. He will give us joy, peace, and understanding.
Transition: Are you ready to experience the glory of God?
Conclusion
1. The three keys to experiencing His glory are:
a. We will experience His glory when we are alone with Him.
b. When we experience His glory we will be overwhelmed.
c. Because we have experienced His glory we will understand.
2. If you want to experience the glory of God you won't find it:
a. In front of a TV
b. On a computer screen
c. In a bar
d. In any human being
3. You will only experience the glory of God alone in His presence.
