Worship
Calendar
Newsletter
Outreach
Angel Food Ministries
Youth
Music Ministries
Kidz Newz
Staff
Contact Us
Important Places
Pastor's Letter
Prayer Concerns
Recommended Links
Online Directory
Waverly, IA
Feb 14, 2010
In the tradition of the Jews, particularly in the priestly traditions of recognizing the presence of God in the time of Moses, we recall the signs of the presence of God that the Jews recognized:
1. The presence of smoke or cloud... like the cloud hovering Mount Sinai.
2. The glowing face of Moses... When Moses came down fro Mount Sinai carrying the 2 tablets of the 10 commandments, the face of Moses was glowing and he didn’t even know about it... until the people told him.
Talk about a knight in shining armour... Jesus is the Messiah in glowing splendor.
3. In the Jewish tradition, Moses was the man who have come closest to God. Moses was God’s Law-giver. Also in the Jewish tradition, Elijah was the greatest prophet of God, displaying God powers in miracles.
This day, the transfiguration of Jesus finally proves that Jesus is from God. It is proven by the traditions of the Jews. And finally, as attested by the voice of God himself, "This is my beloved son, listen to him."
PRAYER
A little girl was sitting at her grandmothers lap. She touched her grandmother’s wrinkled face and ask, "Grandma who made the people?" And Grandma said, "God made the people. God made me. And then God made you." The little girl touched her face and said, "He’s getting better isn’t He?"
Last Wednesday we talked about the beauty and splendor of the flowers. A temporary sight of glory and yet our ladies work hard on it in the hope of seeing that splendor.
Paul writes to the Corinthians telling them that the glory in the shining face of Moses was a temporary one. The glory in Jesus is permanent.
Once we are in Jesus Christ, we also take part of that permanent glory of Jesus.
Paul is telling us that we are being sanctified from glory to glory.
I use the words "being sanctified" because that’s how the Methodists say it in the 17th century.
We are now in the 21st century so, we can also use the words "Being Transformed" from glory to glory.
Now, how does this glory to glory happens? Let this be our focus this morning and see if you can take home something today.
Jesus was born as a baby. "Glory to God in the highest", the angels sang. Jesus must have been a beautiful glorious baby.
On the day that you gave your heart to Jesus, that is the day that you were born again. You become a Baby Christian.
Did you know that when you were born again, the angels were praising God in the highest? Yes, the angels rejoiced on the day that you were born again.
Listen to what Jesus said, Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.''
The day you repented, that’s the first glorious day for you. You were like a baby in the eyes of God.
It’s always a glorious thing to see a baby sleeping, peacefully sleeping... healthy... away from danger... content... a sign of happiness.
Transformation happens all the time as God feed you with the Milk of the Gospel.
It is disheartening to see a baby that would not suck milk. A child that has no appetite to eat is something unglorious... (SMILE) in America I have not met a child that has no appetite to eat. I have heard a lot of programs that says that our problem in America is the excess of appetite.
God would love to feed us with soft diet of the gospel lessons... God loves you, God cares for you, God forgives you, God will take care of you. It is a glorious thing when the children receive such feeding from God.
God has many things to teach his children. Paul said, "Those who lack wisdom, don’t be shy, ask wisdom from God. If God could give his own son to die, shall He not also give you the Holy Spirit?"
I’m always glad to see somebody asking me questions about the Bible or about Salvation. Anything that pertains to God I would love to hear that question. Of course I don’t know the exact answer, but I like the attitude of hunger for Godly wisdom... Wisdom means freedom... Jesus said, "You shall know the truth... and the truth shall set you free."
The next glory would be for God to see a baby Christian learn to stand and walk on his/her own feet.
Do you know when that time was?... when you made your first step? That was a glorious thing for your parents wasn’t it? The parents say, "Oh, look at him go.".... But when the child learns to walk on his own... the parents say, "Where did he go?"
The Disciples was happy to have Jesus with them all the time. But Jesus had to go to heaven, so that the Disciples may receive the Holy Spirit so that they can be on their own.
Children always wanted to be with their moms. But when a child stands here in front all by herself, holds a microphone... to recite a poem or to sing a song... isn’t that another level of glory for that child and the parents?
Jesus promised them, John 14:12. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."
You know why I’ve been asking some of you to open the worship?
Because the Father loves it.
I may be an Elder in this church in terms of theological studies. But you are my elders in terms of fellowship and community.
The more participants in church leadership, the more glorious it is.
It is a glorious thing to have a heart that can play with children.
It is another glorious thing to be an adult and to have some wisdom to teach the children.
It is not a glorious thing to see a middle-aged man, or a middle-aged woman who doesn’t have any mature wisdom to impart with their children.
It’s actually a maturity to have a child-like attitude when playing with children. And that is glorious. But when an adult is childish that is not glorious.
CHILDISH Attitudes have caused so many quarrels in this world.
Childish attitudes have caused so many problems in this world. Childish sensitivity, Childish Criticisms, Childish complaints, Childish dissatisfaction... a baby maybe cute while sleeping... but when the baby becomes a crying baby, you start wishing that the baby would mature.
God has heard so many crying babies. God has been asking, "When will my babies mature?"
So, it is one glorious thing to be childlike with the children, and it is another glorious thing to become peacemakers... for Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God."
The most glorious picture ever in history, is that picture of a matured child of God, hanging on the cross, in pain and agony, not complaining, not criticizing, not describing his discomfort, he was in a shameful pain but he was not a crying baby.
The man who had a glorious transfiguration, in shining face and garment... became a disfigured face, but that disfigured face is the attainment of the highest glory, and so with the courage of a highly matured peacemaker he says the words, "Father, Forgive them."
There are many glorious men on earth that you can follow, but only Jesus promises glory that can be yours forever.
Amen.
Fax: 319-352-1776 Email: vetter@humcwaverly.org Site Support: stummek@humcwaverly.org