Transfiguration February 10,
2013
Lessons for Transfiguration
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 ~From the top of Pisgah, Moses saw the land
God promised to Abraham’s descendants.
Psalm 99 (antiphon: v. 9)
Hebrews 3:1-6 ~ The hope we have in Christ, God’s own Son,
will lead us in the days ahead, to future glory.
Luke 9:28-36 ~ As the
glory of God shone in the face of Christ, the three disciples saw His road to
the cross.
GATHERING THE TEXTS: It is a Matter of Vision.
The question is the range of
our visibility. It takes a good vantage
point to see a long way. Moses climbed
Mount Nebo, and God gave him a view of the promised land. He saw the future of God's people. On the mount of Transfiguration, Peter,
James, and John caught a glimpse of Jesus' future and the glory of
eternity. In the gospel message of
salvation we see the light of Christ's glory and God's promise of heaven. How do we translate that into the journey
that lies before us? What kind of
future, what kind of mission and ministry do we see for our congregation and
community?
PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Holy Lord Jesus, it is surely good to be here with
You and catch a glimpse of divine glory in Your face! Help me see clearly the path of life and
service that You set before me, that in all things I may live in Your promise,
day by day, and for eternity. Amen.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God has given us many material things that make our
lives more comfortable, but sometimes they hold us back because we want to hold
onto them. By releasing them in service
to God and to our neighbors, these blessings can carry to others the promise of
God for a blessed future in Christ Jesus.
OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, we don’t need a shelter; we don’t need a booth;
In Jesus You are
near, Your glory and Your truth!
We know that You are
with us every single day,
Now bless these gifts
we bring, and bless us on the way. Amen.
CONVICTION AND COMFORT: The future is unsettling
when it depends on our efforts, but seen as the promise of God, it becomes a
hope of God’s glorious presence.
Moses was denied entrance into the promised land because he had struck
the rock in frustration over his inabilities to lead the people. Peter was more comfortable with the
wilderness image of God’s presence in the tabernacle than he was with the
idea that God could be present at the suffering of the cross. So long as we are planning our conquests and
building our booths, we will miss the glory built and given to us by the chosen
Son of God. When we see who Jesus really
is, we see the future God has chosen for us
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