CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME
- Thanks for joining us
- ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Bible study … scheduled for 10:30 a.m. … on-site and online
- Outreach program … scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.
- Monday Reverb … tomorrow evening ca. 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday Bible study … Tuesday, ca. 7:30 p.m.
- Mid-week Prayer meeting … Wednesday, ca. 7:30 p.m.
- Friday DIVE … Bible study … scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, February 15, 11:00 a.m. … Thanksgiving service for Velmore “Faye” Livingstone … Interment at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens
- Re: Today’s service …
- Today is Transfiguration Sunday, the last day in the season of Epiphany (which is all about the “revealing” – the seeing – of Christ’s glory.
- The theme this week is the transfiguration of identity.
- The selected passages that support the theme are … Psalm 50:1-6 • 2 Kings 2:1-12 • 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 • Mark 9:2-9
- The Transfiguration story is echoed throughout all our readings for this special Sunday.
- In Psalm 50:1-6, we are presented with God’s appearance that comes with fire and storm.
- 2 Kings 2:1-12 tells of Elijah’s glorious ascent to heaven providing some backstory to the Transfiguration where Elijah returns on the scene.
- Our reading from 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 looks behind the veil where the face of Jesus Christ illuminates the glory of God.
- In Mark 9:2-9, we read Mark’s brief yet forceful account of the transfiguration of Jesus where his identity is put on full display, shedding light on our identity in him.
- The Transfiguration story is echoed throughout all our readings for this special Sunday.
FIRST READING
The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people:
5 “Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
6 Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah
OPENING SONGS
1. MAJESTY
2. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD
3. HERE I AM TO WORSHIP
SECOND READING
But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel.
3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
4 Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.”
But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho.
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.”
But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.
Today (for those of us who follow the Christian Worship Calendar) is Transfiguration Sunday … so the sermonette is a short videon piece about Transfiguration Sunday …
SERMONETTE
From the PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT …
In this season of Epiphany, we’ve seen the light of the world shining brighter, guiding us through the darkness. We’ve met the prince of peace, who brings calm to our turbulent lives. With hearts aglow, we’ve embraced these truths. Our Savior, the embodiment of grace, has reached out to us with open arms to embrace all of humanity.
Today, we ascend to a metaphorical mountain. Picture it as a sacred place where heaven touches earth, a mountaintop of revelation. Here, in the presence of Jesus, we witness his radiant divinity.
Transfiguration Sunday marks the conclusion of Epiphany, transitioning us into a season of reflection and repentance, Easter Preparation. Our journey has unveiled the radiant character of God, seen in the love, grace, and compassion of Christ.
Just as the Transfiguration elevated Jesus on the mountaintop, it elevates our understanding. We see who we truly are in Christ. This profound revelation challenges us to embrace our divine identity.
As we stand at the precipice of this divine encounter, let us remember that our identity is woven into the very identity of Christ. We are called to radiate his love, grace, and compassion.
The Transfiguration is not an isolated event. It’s a continuous unveiling, a constant reminder of who Christ is and who we are in him. His glory transcends time and place.
Join us on this spiritual journey, where the light of the world continues to shine, and the transformative power of Christ’s radiant presence awaits.
Stay with us as we explore the significance of this moment, ready to embrace the glory of Christ that can change our lives forever.
SHARING TIME
- THIRD READING
- SPECIAL EVENT
- INTERCESSORY PRAYER
- OFFERING COLLECTION & OFFERTORY SONG
- PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
FOURTH READING
Mark 9:2-9
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
SERMON
Are You Listening … or Building Tents?
A. Today is Transfiguration Sunday, which concludes the season of Epiphany, which is all about seeing God’s glory.
- The Greek word “epiphaneia” means “appearance” or “manifestation,” and it refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
B. It has been a season of seeing the mystery of God … and the glory of God … revealed in Jesus Christ.
C. Today … we look at a passage that is perhaps the most impressive physical manifestation of Jesus … that reveals something else about the glory of Jesus.
D. My purpose, today … to get us thinking about HOW we respond to the revelation of God’s glory.
The title … ARE YOU LISTENING … OR BUILDING TENTS? … The text is … Mark 9:2-9 …
Mark 9:2-9
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
WHAT STANDS OUT?
- 1… What God said …
- Mark 9:7 … Hear/Listen to Him
What does that mean? What is the significance of listening?
- Two things come to mind …
- Listen to Jesus … instead of the Law and the Prophets
- Note Mark 9:1 …
- the transfiguration pointed to the Kingdom … and power in it
- Listen … with the intention to follow
- Note Mark 8:34 …
- Jesus wanted believers to become disciples (followers)
- Listen to Jesus … instead of the Law and the Prophets
Why is that 2nd point important/noteworthy?
- Notice v.5 … Peter wanted to build.
What’s wrong with that?
- Building implies being stationary – putting down roots
- The command to “listen” implies movement – changing location (as when following)
- Note verse 34 in the context …
- Mark 8:34-38 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 9:1-9
And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
2 Peter 1:16-19 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
Notice … the context … v.1 and v.10
Matthew 17:5-9 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
Luke 9:34-36 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
CLOSING SONG
SHINE, JESUS, SHINE
CLOSING PRAYER
BENEDICTION