Do you ever feel like you are missing out? Or perhaps you really just want in?
When I think of the emotions those questions bring to mind, only one thing really sticks out.
The classic truffle shuffle. The embodiment of adolescent entry.
This Sunday in worship we are joining with Christians all over the world to celebrate Transfiguration Sunday. It’s a holiday in the church season. Happening each year before Lent, this Sunday lets each of us begin preparing for a season on introspection and examination.
Last week we talked about how large the gospel is. How God is on a big mission and he asks us to be part of it. This week, we are going to talk about the gospel…but how it is narrow.
It’s a paradox, what is large is also small. But I think what makes it so large is because it is very small. In the gospel of Luke Jesus told people to “work hard, because the door to the kingdom is narrow.” It takes a group of committed people to move the gospel forward.
Our scripture is taken from Mark 9:2-8
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.
This story is one of inclusion and exclusion. We find Jesus bringing His inner circle of disciples with him to a special meeting. At this time they are allowed a Holy vision of what the world is really like. For the last several years they have been contemplating who Jesus really is. Even getting the answer right at times. But it is at the transfiguration they are able to see the real truth. They find out God has been protecting them from his own majesty because it is a truly terrifying thing.
The disciples learn something very special during this special moment. They learn what it is like to be overshadowed by God. To be taken over, part of his changing of the world. Just as Luke spoke about the narrow door, the keys to the kingdom are given to those who allow themselves to be overshadowed by the Holy.
See you Sunday for worship. It will be great.
What is a sermon preview?
Sermon previews are released on Friday’s. They are to give YOU a short glimpse of what the conversation is going to be like on Sunday morning. On Monday, the preview is updated with some discussion questions, scripture guide and an mp3 of the sermon. I do these for 2 reasons. The first is so God can continue working in your life throughout the week. The second is for you to share this with a friend. I invite and encourage you to share the preview on Facebook/Twitter and through email.
Chad Brooks - March 9, 2014
Practicing Prayer
Have you ever felt like you bumble through prayer or are dissatisfied with your prayer life? One of the keys to the Christian life is understanding how prayer builds a big vision of who God is. This week we look at the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 and find out how it helps us build a great prayer life.
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Chad Brooks is a United Methodist Pastor serving in Louisiana. Married to Meredith, he is currently starting a new church in northeast Louisiana. Host of the Productive Pastor Podcast and lover of motorcycles, Chad would love to find Bigfoot one day.