The Glory of Christ: 2016 Gospel of Luke #35
This is an exposition of Luke 9:28-36. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, October 30, 2016.
Intro:
In a fast-paced, exciting, changing world that emphasizes information, sensationalism and the spectacular it is easy for the church to get sidetrack with its message. There is a constant demand for attention to social issues, political concerns and theological debate. Some are drawn to the “hot topic” approach to ministry. They jump on and ride out the latest fades. Their preaching tends to gravitate to whatever will tickle the ears of a fickle generation. While I agree that preaching needs to hit us where we live and relate to where we are as a society, I do not believe that the society or issues should dictate our message.
We do not need more preaching to help us feel better about ourselves or to stroke our egos, we need men of conviction to declare the unsearchable riches of God’s grace in Christ. We need lay men and women who will boldly declare to a lost and searching world that Jesus is the answer to life’s questions. We must stand up and without apology declare that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Son of God and that meaning and purpose are discovered in a personal relationship with Him.
The Lord Jesus is The message of the church. He is the message of the Bible. Why settle for helping meet the “felt needs” of people when we can meet the “real need?” There is no greater message. There is no more important message in all the world. Jesus is the central figure of the human story.
That is the good news that Luke desired his friend, Theophilus, to grasp. Luke wanted him to have an accurate account of the life and ministry of Jesus. One that would stimulate his mind and penetrate his heart. Thus Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, pulled together various events, stories, and teachings from the life and ministry of Jesus and wove them into a life history. A history with a purpose. This morning we will explore Luke 9, Luke 9:28 through Luke 9:36.
Text: Luke 9:28-36
As we approach our text, you will remember Jesus has been asking the disciples what the word on the street is. “What are people saying about me?” “Who do they say I am?” They gave the various answers, some say Elijah, and others John the Baptist raised. Then Jesus asked the big question. “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter, moved by the Holy Spirit, declared “You are the Christ of God.” You are the Messiah – you are Prophet, Priest and King. Revealer, Redeemer and Ruler. Then Jesus really threw them a curve. He told them that He must be rejected, must suffer and must die. He told them it was morally imperative. This was not an option. It must happen. The result was a group of confused followers. They really could not make sense of it. The event in our text follows on the heals of that. In fact within a week of that conversation!
What went on during that week? We don’t know. I’m certain there was a lot of head scratching. I’m sure there was some serious contemplating. Then comes the experience recorded in our text. We have recorded for us one of those rare occasions in which we get just a glimpse of glory. We are given the privilege of a foretaste of glory divine. We call it the transfiguration. This morning’s message is going to deal with some fairly heavy theology and doctrine. I hope that does not frighten you. Theology simply means a word about God. Doctrine simply means authoritative or official teaching. This is not something strange or unusual and it’s not boring! Some of you got “excited” when you heard we were going to deal with theology because you thought, “Good I could use the sleep!” Biblical theology is practical, it relates to us where we are. It gives us an anchor and a hope.
I am tempted to envy the apostles. After all they lived the gospel. When Jesus calmed the storm they were in that boat. When he healed the sick, they were there to see it. They were the first to learn the Lord’s Prayer. The were to the first to puzzle over the parables. They witnessed his dying and then saw him after the resurrection. They stood, gazing into the sky, as he ascending into glory. Oh, what it must have been like to be there but of all they experienced nothing was more spectacular then their vision of the glorified Christ. The encounter in our text.
Thesis: In the transfiguration we see, in the Lord Jesus, the glory of the incorruptible God.
This event demands that Jesus Christ be seen as a totally unique figure on the stage of human history. There is not another like him. As we work our way through this text we are going to note 2 grand truths and 2 profound implications.
- This Jesus is the exact representation of the glory of God. (9:28-29)
- This Jesus is the ultimate expression of the message of God. (9:30-31)
- We must not settle for a “lesser” glory. (9:32-33)
- Our supreme loyalty and ultimate allegiance belongs to Him alone. (9:34-36)
Conclusion:
This Jesus we preach is no ordinary man. He is not just some religious figure from an ancient past. He is the exact representation of the glory of God – he is God. He is the ultimate expression of God’s message to man – the only means of salvation. So, do not settle for a lesser glory and give yourself fully, wholly to him and to him alone.