The Bethany Bullet Sermon Message - Week of February 23, 2020

Sermon Message: “What’s Being Asked”

Text: Matthew 17:1-9

The account of the transfiguration often finds us in contemplation about Peter and his presentation: “There are three of you (Moses, Elijah and Jesus) and ‘lil ole me will build you some shelters so we can stay up on this mount just a little longer.”

There are plenty of notions about what Peter was contemplating and why he was suggesting staying “put”.   

When it comes down to it, perhaps the most reasonable explanation of all is the simplest: Peter desires to be as close as possible to Jesus in all His glorious fullness.

This is where he, we, (humanity) were (was) created to be: God’s good presence.  This is where he, we, (redeemed humanity) is recreated to be: God’s gracious presence.    Peter found Himself where he, we long to be eternally, in God’s glorious presence.

 

Of course, Jesus must descend the Mount of Transfiguration that has no sheltering structure so He could ascend the mount of condemnation and be put on that structure (the cross) that would expose Him to the wrath of God. 

So that we, by His grace, through faith in Him, might find ourselves where we are created and recreated to be in Christ to be…God’s good, gracious, glorious presence!

Of course, we need not hike up a hard, hidden hill to find such. 

V  Go to where the writers of the Word are gathered together (Scripture); 

V  Go to where sainted servants cluster (Worship);

V  Go to where faithful followers are found (Fellowship); and there you will find others who desire to remain in God’s good, gracious, glorious presence and your heart will too start to desire the same. 

– Pr. Kevin Kritzer