Sermons

It All Points To Calvary (Luke 9:28-36)

Rev. William L. BarronRev. William L. Barron, January 28, 2018
Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

(The first six sentences that follow are not recorded.) In the gospels, all events are flowing toward Mount Calvary. Today, the common wisdom is that there are many roads to heaven. Jesus taught that the way through Mount Calvary is the only way. Jesus, Peter, James and John went apart to pray, but the disciples fell asleep during the prayers. When they awoke, Jesus was praying, and His glory broke forth in his appearance. There were legal witnesses to this glory, Moses and Elijah, and then also the three disciples. The glory they witnesses was God's dwelling or settling glory, known as Shekhina glory, as we see pictured later on in Revelation. The other kind of glory is manifested glory, which we see in creation, in the lives of believers, the church and in Jesus' ministry on earth--His goodness and greatness. (Recording begins here in progress) Moses and Elijah were witnesses of the Old Testament and knew about Jesus' eventual departure in glory. Elijah was the first of the great prophets. Luke constantly shows us that we must exercise faith. There are wrong ways to exercise it, as we see with Peter and James. They want to hold onto a "mountaintop experience," to hold onto God's glory. We always have to come back to the valley where life is. Also, Jesus doesn't need a shrine. The most important thing they didn't understand--Jesus' plan of salvation. His crucifixion would begin His people's exodus from bondage to sin. Another point about Moses and Elijah--they were not dead; they enjoy life after death. Another point--we will share in the glory of God. In the process of our exodus are justification, sanctification and glorification. We are told that Moses and Elijah "appeared in glory." It will be the same glorification we will experience. They stand as witnesses of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Now there are three more witnesses--Peter, James and John. They heard God speaking out of the cloud of glory, telling the disciples to listen to Jesus. To listen is to act in obedience to what is told, to make a change in behavior. Those who don't obey--God will require their lives. In 2 Peter, the apostle exhorts to pay attention to the Word of Truth. We must hear Jesus and do what He says.

Tags: Glorification, Glory, Obedience, salvation

About Rev. William L. Barron: Billy Barron is the pastor of North Greenville Church. He has pastored ARPC congregations in North and South Carolina and Florida. He has also been pastor to World Witness missionaries around the world. He was Mission Developer of Travelers ARP Church in Travelers Rest, SC.
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Luke 9:28–36 (Listen)

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And 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 told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

(ESV)

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