A Terrifying Glimpse of Glory, Part 2

Today on Insight for living from Chuck Swindoll. When will we ever learn in this era in this self-centered world that it is not about all about. Regardless of what you were going through. It is all about you paying it is all about him. This plan this message things, he will teach is all about. Here, imagine what it was like Peter, James and John witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus standing together on a mountain.

The disciples saw Jesus overcome by bright lights. They heard voices saw Moses and Elijah the prophet appear from nowhere a bizarre moment for the today on Insight for living Chuck Swindoll's teaching for Matthew 17 Transfiguration of Jesus is recorded. In addition to reliving the shocking moment. Chuck will help us understand how this epic event shapes our view of God today titled this message a terrifying glimpse of glory your father as we step into a we that includes a day to reflect, to remember and to respond with gratitude we want you to know this Lord's day how grateful we are for you for all you have done for your son Jesus and all that he sacrifice and for your spirit who lives with in your people, your children, to enlighten us and comfort us and encourage us and direct our steps on this Lord's day. We give you thanks especially for your word that guides us in tumultuous and otherwise confusing times when there is this enormous amount of voices that are shouting arguing in claiming denying demanding our attention give us the ability to filter out the essential from the nonessential's. The truth in the midst of all erroneous information that's out there. What I really ask Lord is that you enable us to focus on what you have written that we might live. As you have prescribed. We remember others who have been laid aside would love to be here but cannot be. We remember those who take care of them. The caregivers, the nurses, the staff of places that assist those who are unable to care for themselves.

We thank you. Our father for the law enforcement that surrounds us, providing safety and watching over the citizenry of this country protect them, encourage them some work related to the light when it is even even more dangerous. And we pray for their safety. We pray for those who represent your name in difficult places today are missionaries. Our military men and women who serve the country how grateful we are Lord that there is this large body of people serving and working behind the scenes is your will unfold maybe be of encouragement to them. May we remember that we are better people because of our knowledge of him in relationship with father Lord I thank you for the blessing of family for those who have gone before us in the past, in your presence on whose shoulders we stand, from whom we learned great principles regarding life. The importance of obedience and sacrifice and commitment and faithfulness.

I pray as we gather together around our tables that you would give us a sweet spirit of gratitude slower pace.

Silence our lips from needless talk, us from overreaction and may we remember Lord that you are the one who sovereignly watches over our lives. Now as we gather together to ask your blessing. We pray that you will be pleased with the offerings we place before you we do so full of gratitude in the name of Jesus we give we pray and all this people said a man to study the book of Matthew with Chuck Swindoll. Be sure to download his searching the Scriptures.

Studies by going to Insight world.org/studies and outlets listen to the message Chuck titled a terrifying glimpse of glory. When I got into the depths of the New Testament language that the word in the New Testament for Gloria's duck sauce. We get our word doxology from it it it means bright shining radiance of brilliant light when applied to a person clothed in majestic splendor would be another way of putting the Shekinah that burn from heaven into the holiest place was the God filling this holiest place on the earth in the tabernacle it has in mind the profound totality of God's nature, character and attribute that is his glory now try to get our arms around all of that. We almost needed personified and that is why were grateful, so grateful for this magnificent Transfiguration.

Jesus speaks of this I believe at the end of the 16th chapter of Matthew 20 says that the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his father and will judge all people according to their deeds. Obviously a reference to that time when he will come yet future when you will calm and establish his kingdom and fulfill the promises to Israel set up his rule and reign. And then he adds a verse that can be confusing if you only get with that, rather than the Transfiguration. Look at the next verse and I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. We could render that in his kingly splendor is glory.

I would suggest he had his transfiguration in mind and they are about to witness it is easy to forget when his focus on only the humanity of Jesus that he is also undiminished deity follow the same time true humanity to nature's that do not mix but remain in one person forever is what is known as the God man undiminished deity truly vanity in one person disciples are walking with the one they could easily think of is simply true humanity. It is easy when you're walking with someone eating with them sleeping beside them, becoming very familiar with them, but you forget there is that other natures of Jesus decide now is the time for them to see evidence of my full person, which is what the transfiguration is all about. Now the glory becomes manifest displayed see how it unfolds.

As we got in chapter 17. Six days later, Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John and let them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched meaning Peter James and John noticed it came without an announcement. He is transformed before their eyes. Still, a man, but now his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as life member earlier, the comment about the effulgence the resplendent's of God's light like presence here this this one who has walked with them. Talk with them. Good teaching and training them now. Immersion is in this glowing glowing presence and that is enough.

Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. So Moses and Elijah, and now appear alongside him. I don't want to rush through this. What you see him as he is transformed in your mind. He shines brightly in his clothing is is a blinding in the in in brightness, there is every moment to stand and let the wonder in it now. Now. But of course when you're addicted to talking is one of them was you say something so wonderful for us to be here if you want to make three tracks, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah what we need is more information. First of all, we read that Moses, Elijah and Jesus are talking, but were not told what they said to each other over the talking about you Know from Matthew's account is a parallel in Mark nine and in Luke nine. So with me find Mark 9 Holger Pl. will come there second. First let's look at Luke nine and locate verse 31. They were glorious to see meeting Jesus Elijah and Moses there that they and they were speaking here we go. Matthew didn't tell us this look nuts. They were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem and so there talking with Jesus about what's coming to Jerusalem, namely his arrest.

The trial the death, the resurrection of the talking about all of and notice also that Luke gives us a little more information about the disciples.

Peter and the others had fallen asleep so like all of you will most of you you're wide-awake and you're very aware of where we are with is there sound asleep, but they awaken with a start, and we read when they woke up they saw Jesus glory and the two men standing with him as Moses and Elijah were starting to leave Peter watch, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out to build three memorials one for you, but you will you okay before saving more or less look at Mark nine, verse five… Both of you that are looking in your Bibles that you bought Mark nine, verse five find it.

Peter exclaimed Rabbi is wonderful for us to be here, let's make three shelters is 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.

Okay you know I'm not going to just go on beyond. We gotta stop right here. First I want to just use these two words. Oh, Peter.

I love the way one expositor describes the scene. What an amazing site luminous dazzling Jesus is talking to Moses and to Elijah. If ever there was a time for silence.

This was it, but enter Peter a man who always had something to say when there was nothing to be sent. What in the world was Peter up to.

Yes, we do not know but we do see that the Lord's only answer to him was science sleep now you see the value of correlation.

Plus you understand why we pause here to draw upon it because this is that this is an unusual moment that required absolute silence. Just take it again if one should speak. It's the one being transfigured.

If anyone has something to say. He's the one to say it, I noticed that the cloud appears while Peter is talking the cloud interrupts Peter is that the same at something far more important than that what you meant to say. But before I go there let me pass along some key advice regarding listening never miss an opportunity to shut up. Just put bluntly, or is one lady said to me afterwards.

She said my dad used to say do not speak unless you can improve upon the silence with good words. Peter stopped the cloud overshadows them in, and a voice from the cloud says love this. This is my son dearly loved one is a restrictive attributive member but missing that last time. Some of you may remember that there is worthy were the description is highlighted a little later. This is my son dearly beloved one. This is my one and only. This is the one I give you is a gift from glory. And then he adds, he brings brings me great joy.

Listen to him soon. Even in the silence. Jesus is speaking his change of countenance is a message in this awesome truly I use the word really. But if it is also an interruption as God breaks on the on the scene as Peter is speaking and God says listen to the one I sent there. Finally, terrified we read and they and they fall on their faces.

This is a great use of the word terror. We often think of it as having a negative connotation is not necessarily like the word awful. Some of the divines of old and they will talk about the terrible majesty of God. The awful holiness of God, the words are used differently than we commonly use them. And when shaped by the theology of of the setting you understand why I love it that that Jesus came over and found them on the ground on their faces and and touch them and simply said get up every delivery. When they looked up Moses and Elijah were gone and they saw only Jesus but it is about time you would've thought and we would wish that on the way up the mountain, they would've anticipated just Jesus does whatever he has to teach us whatever he has to say. However he wishes to speak or reprove us or inform us were here to listen here to learn and when they finally were silent.

It was all about Jesus, Kate Wilkerson, one of the 20th century writers of the him wrote this marvelous him. May the mind of Christ, my Savior, she closes it it it's really a prayer, a series of prayers and she ends the him with May his beauty rest upon us as we seek the lost to win and made me that's the loss may they forget the channel, seeing only him. That's a great prayer.

When will we ever learn in this narcissistic era in this self-centered world that it is not about us. It is all about him regardless of what you are going through.

It is all about him as of the depth of pain.

It is all about him. His plan, his hand is touch his message the things he will teach is all about him, you begin to cultivate that concept go deeper in you weary of the superficiality of so much talk you tire of the evening news so much talk so much advertisement so many images too many words, they saw only Jesus and you know what I really believe I believe they are for the first time caught up in the moment as we wish they would have been from the very start. Jesus is get up when they looked up they saw only Jesus. Now we find them in verses nine through 13 coming down the mountain and there's a brief dialogue when they remember their days in synagogue school and what they were taught by their teacher was a good time to mention this because they had just seen Elijah they want to know. They went back down the mountain. Jesus commanded them, don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead which keep this to yourself.

First of all, it would simply make people more inquisitive.

Don't jump to conclusions. Now imagine all kinds of things it. Furthermore, someone will think it's evidence that Christ is his beginning his work of conquering in and that's why the effulgence of God's presence. Don't don't don't go. I just wanted you to get a glimpse between us of the full presence that often isn't review.

Imagine witnessing the Transfiguration, and then having Jesus tell you to keep the moment to yourself, must've taken tremendous restraint for the disciples to stay silent you're listening to Insight for living message from Chuck Swindoll titled a terrifying glimpse of glory. And there's much more from Matthew chapter 17. He wants to share with you and to discover what resources we have available for today's topic, please visit us online@insightworld.org. But before we move ahead. I want to remind you about one of Chuck's Hallmark books to complement your study in the book of Matthew want to direct your attention to the grace awakening. If you begin to question whether or not you're qualified to serve God in any capacity. This book will restore your Outlook. If Peter can be redeemed so can you and I in the grace awakening Chuck assures us that none of us can attain God's standard of perfection. We need to stop trying. Our only hope is found in submitting to the gift of God's amazing grace, Chuck will help you understand how to rest in God's gift to you in this Hallmark book called the grace awakening and you can purchase a copy right now by going to Insight.org/offer that as we close, let me say a special word of thanks to our monthly companions understand the importance of their monthly gift. Your generosity means so much as God leads you to support Insight for living either with a one time donation or by becoming a monthly companions.

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The rugged landscape reminds us to find refuge in God alone. The fertile valleys invite us to follow our ship Jerusalem's position at the very center of the world announces the good news of Christ's every nation and now you can see Israel with Chuck Swindoll, Insight for living ministries March 6-17, 2022. Every time I visited the holy land of returned home with the refreshed heart for God and a renewed vision for the world. Really, I mean it every time. So I want you to have the same life changing experience to learn more, go to Insight.org/events call this number 1-888-447-0444 Insight for living ministries tour to Israel is paid for and made possible by only those who choose to attend. Join us when Chuck Swindoll concludes his message about terrifying glimpse of glory Thursday on Insight for living in the preceding message terrifying glimpse of glory was copyrighted in 2016 and 2021 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2021 by Charles R. Swindoll. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited