WEEKLY WORSHIP
AUGUST 3 & 4, 2024
{BL 551-31}
DECLARATION
For [we are not] ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. { Rom 1:16-17 KJV}
Sabbath Meditations
MATOT-MASEI (Tribes-Journeys)
Numbers 30:2–36:13; Jeremiah 2:4–28, 3:4, 4:1–2; Matthew 23:1–25:46
Sunday Message
"The Transfiguration of Christ"
Mk 9:2-113, Mat 17: 1-13, Luk 9: 28-36, 2 Pet 1:18, Num 6:24-26
OPENING PRAYER
Our FATHER, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in Earth as it is in heaven. Thank-You Lord for gathering us together on this Holy day in fellowship to worship and grow in our walk with You. Grant us, O' Lord Jesus, with open ears, hearts and souls to receive Your Word through Holy Scripture. May we apply that which we learn today to our daily life, thereby enriching the Glory to You in Your name, AMEN.
MESSAGE
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an extraordinary event. Information in the three of the four Gospels is brief and scant but there are valuable clues hiding in plain sight that will guide us to discoveries along scriptural driven paths answering the WHO, WHAT, WHEN WHERE, AND WHY of this unique teaching of the Lord. We begin at the beginning:
Exo 34:29-30 KJV And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai {circa: 1447 bc} with the two NEW tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with [God]. (30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. There are some translations that differ regarding the resulting affect of being in the very presence of GOD. Moses skin reflected obvious change using word or words like, SHINED, SHONED, GLISTENED, RADIATED, was LIT-UP!
Certainly the change was more than enough to get the attention of the entire population who witnessed it first hand. They were very afraid! This direct intercourse with Almighty GOD also gave us a sense of the warning to humans against seeing GOD in His full Glory. The sheer energy and power of our Creator is beyond all reckoning. How does the saying go? -- You cannot see GOD in His Glory and LIVE!
We recall earlier that Moses had a powerful experience in the presence of the awesome POWER of GOD; Exo 3:3-6 NKJV Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." (4) So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." (5) Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." (6) Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. Similar words were spoken by THE Angel of the Lord to Joshua in verses Jos 5:15 KJV As the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Transfigure Definition: To be TRANSFORMED: (changed, modified, mutated, different)
Let's read the first few verses of Matthew 17 and Mark 9's rendering of the initial events that day:
Mat 17:1-3 NASB Six days later Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and *led them up on a high mountain by themselves. (2) And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. (3) And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Mar 9:2-4 NASB Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; (3) and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. (4) Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.
In the Gospel according to LUKE, it seems to my reading that there is a bit more detailed information to ponder in Luke's documentation. We will use his complete recording of the events and then adjust the synoptic as needed:
While Matthew and Mark opens with SIX DAYS, Luke uses EIGHT. (The Bible is silent as to why) Luk 9:28-36 NASB : Some eight days after these sayings, [Jesus] took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. (29) And while [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. (30) And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses {died in 1407bc} and Elijah,{who , in 852 bc, had been taken up into heaven alive (31) both, appearing in glory, were speaking of [Jesus] departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
(32) Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. (33) And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not realizing what he was saying. (34) While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. (35) Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" (36) And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. In the Matthew version, it was Jesus who commanded the trio to speak to no one about the events that had just occurred until after He was raised from the dead.
APPLICATION & SUMMARY
WHO, WHAT, WHEN WHERE, AND WHY & Sometimes HOW
The "WHO" we know; Jesus, Peter, James, John, Elijah & Moses. There was one more. I'll come back to Him. "WHAT" These men were invited by Jesus to be with Him "WHERE" at the top of a high mountain. "WHY" To PRAY!
"WHEN" As Jesus prayed, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. (30) And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses {died in 1407bc} and Elijah,{who , in 852 bc, had been taken up into heaven alive (31) both, appearing in glory, were speaking of [Jesus] departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
"HOW" By crucifixion followed in three days with Resurrection.
"WHAT" a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" the voice of Almighty God was speaking!
"WHO" Peter, James and John are huge clues since they each have been pre-ordained and will have very important tasks after Jesus ascends into heaven, where He prepares for His return as KING. James is to be the Bishop of Jerusalem, and Peter will deliver the awesome grand sermon on the day of Pentecost, concecrating the Church. Later, John will embark on his mission to record every word commanded by Jesus Himself in the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
If we continued using the 5-W's and the H formula, we would certainly discover other nuggets of value to reveal the Lord's message. I believe that the scripture shows clearly that Jesus desired to set into the minds of Peter, James and John the full reality of His and His Father's Holy and powerful nature, and connect that to the roles soon to be played by these precious servants. When appearing,-- Jesus, Moses and Elijah were bathed in the "Shekinah" light of Glory and during a portion of their conversation regarding the upcoming crucifixion, Peter, James and John either were caught in a deep sleep, or the Lord purposely placed them in this slumber until the appropriate time.
The text would indicate that they were returned to fully awake at some point in order to witness the latter part of the gathering and marvel over their glowing Glory. Being overwhelmed with fear and trembling, Peter offered to build tabernacles which then led to the FATHER himself speaking, COMMANDING, that they "LISTEN to HIS SON!".
In a very short engagement, this powerful and revealing Mountain Top event was about as real as it can get for a human being, and still live to tell about it!.
Our Father God provides instruction and direction through JESUS, our Savior. His great sacrifice on that Old Cross was drawing nigh and He must prepare His Shepherds for the awesome responsibilities ahead. BY THE WAY,... I promised to go back to name the SEVENTH and most important host on this mountain top: It was GOD The FATHER.....His Will Be Done!
CLOSING PRAYER
Oh Mighty Creator of the Universe, there is a never ending supply of TRUTH contained within the written Word of Holy Scripture. The more LIGHT we seek, the more LIGHT is revealed through the Bible. Let us impress on every believer, and near believer to open the book. Witness the physical representation of LIFE in its fullest beyond the temporal extending even to the endless eternity. Be our GOD, permit us to Listen to You, and LOVE You, in JESUS the CHRIST, AMEN.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, Ye heav'n-ly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
BENEDICTION: Num 6:24-26 The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'AMEN
If you have never invited Jesus to be your Lord and savior, or, if you have in the past yet remain unsure of salvation and forgiveness of sin, Please pray with me now: Lord Jesus I need to fill a hole in my life that follows me where ever I go. I believe that You are the Lord, that you were hung on a cross and died. I believe that you were raised back to life by God, Your Father, ascended into heaven and presently sit at the right hand of Almighty God. Please come into be, clean me, take me and make me Yours and let me serve from this day forward and forever, Thank-You Jesus, AMEN
If you sincerely prayed with me, your salvation has been assured. Waste no time in finding like minded folks, to fellowship with, who also know the lord. Be introduced to a church that preaches from the BIBLE. Begin the journey that you will never tire of; the discovery of the Majesty, Beauty and loving Power of Jesus the Christ. Welcome to the family!
Chaplain Gary
Christ go with you now...until we meet again
Christ go with you now...keep praying on till then
It really doesn't matter what the weather...
Just as long as we all are TOGETHER...
Christ go with you now...Till we meet again!
WEEKLY WORSHIP
(Published every Friday evening)
CHRIST ETERNAL SENIOR MINISTRIES
HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?
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