The Lighthouse Keeper

Greetings from Pastor Kerry, former pastor of Spring City UMC. This blog contains my sermon outlines and/or manuscripts from my pastorate among the people of Spring City PA, from 2006 to 2011. Pastor Dennis is now the lighthouse keeper. Come and worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.! www.springcityumc.org

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Transfiguration Sunday

March 6, 2011
Transfiguration Sunday


Matthew 17:1-9 and 2 Peter 1:16-21
...we have a most reliable prophetic word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place... 2 Peter 1:19

My sermon outline:

• Jesus took Peter James and John to the mountain.
[Why? to be inspired. To commune with God. to pray.]

We frequently read of Jesus going off by himself to pray, but here he takes the boys.
[Why? To teach. To show. To share. Very high mountain – not easy meeting.]

• Jesus changes. Glows. Metamorphosizes. Receives divine visit from Moses & Elijah – affirmation from some major characters from the Old Testament.

Imagine putting on wet jeans and sweatshirt on day like today – that's the incarnation. Jesus is away from his heavenly home for a lifetime, and in the Transfiguration experiences a momentary respite.

Peter wants to preserve the moment but while he’s speaking, God speaks.

• This is my Son whom I dearly love, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!

Public and divine encouragement for Jesus... attaboy and listen to this guy.

• reading from 2 Peter rightly acknowledges that this is not just an episode about Jesus, it’s about God the Father, God the giver, God acting in humankind, God the Father giving honor and glory to Jesus, setting Jesus aside, anointing him, claiming him as Son

• It's enticing to stay there and soak up the sun but that’s not the purpose of this divine episode.

Divine encouragement, public acknowledgement, commission.

Jesus didn’t stay on the mountain because there was work to be done.

Jesus didn’t allow the guys to stay on the mountain because there was work to be done.

But Jesus is Emmanuel God-With-Us, & having experienced God on the mountain, they return to “normal” life, with Jesus.

• We experience God, encounter God, are fed by God, but we can’t stay here, we go with Jesus into the world... so we can lead others to encounter God.

• Hymn 371 I Stand Amazed in the Presence


- Pastor Kerry

This Sunday: 45 in worship.
Communion and Luncheon

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