2 Kings 2:1-12 Elijah is Taken Up to Heaven
Psalm 50:1-6 True Worship
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Spiritual Treasure in Clay Pots
Mark 9:2-9 The Transfiguration

2 Kings 2: 1-12
Psalm 50: 1-6
2 Corinthians 4: 3-6
Mark 9: 2-9

Sermon summary

What could a mysterious event on the top of a mountain [Mark 9:2-8] far away and long ago, possibly have to do with us here and now? I believe it is very important. It opens a window on another world and lets us see Jesus in quite a different 'light'. The apostles passed on their experience as eyewitnesses: we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty [2 Peter 1:16-18]. This happened a few days after Peter said Jesus was the Messiah [Mark 8:29]. They were puzzling about who he was and what it meant.

The presence of God: Who is he?
He was transfigured before them,...dazzling white...Elijah with Moses... talking with Jesus [Mark 9:2-4.] The dazzling white light signifies a divine presence. [Compare with Paul's experience, Acts 9:3-5; and see 2 Corinthians 4:6; and his face shone like the sun, Matthew 17:2;. Luke 9:29; and Moses before the Lord, Exodus 34:29-35; compare Elijah's different experience on the mountain, 1 Kings 19:8-13; and the sign of the cloud for the presence of God, Exodus 13:21] This experience of the disciples with Jesus on the mountain was full of familiar symbols of the presence of God and his word. The message they received from it, This is my beloved Son, listen to him, reinforced the confession of faith Peter had recently made: You are the Messiah. It was similar to what Jesus himself had experienced at his baptism by John [Mark 1:11]. The apostles were saying that, in their experience, Jesus was more than a good man. They were saying that he came from God and was God. [cf Philippians 2:6-11].

Nature pointing beyond itself: Our calling today
We have all had some experience of the wonder of God. Sometimes it comes to us through the appreciation of nature, sometimes, indeed, on a mountain. The disciples were afraid: as in true worship, they were filled with awe and wonder. If they wished to stay it was because for them a window had opened onto another world in which they saw Jesus in a new light, in relation to a much grander scheme of things. That is what we are called to confess: Jesus as Lord of all. We do need to follow him in humble service in the streets that are busy with human life when we come down from the mountain, but we will not serve him truly if we do not acknowledge him as the Lord of our whole lives.

CALL TO WORSHIP Let us worship God

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. -- Psalms 96:3-4

HYMN When Morning Gilds the Skies

PRAYER OF ADORATION
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Lord Jesus, preaching good tidings to the people, proclaiming release to captives, setting at liberty those who are bound:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, friend of the outcast and the poor, feeder of the hungry, healer of the sick:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, denouncing the oppressor, exposing the hypocrite, overcoming evil with good:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, pattern of gentleness, teacher of holiness, prophet of the kingdom:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, dying to save us from our sin, rising to give us eternal life, ascending to prepare our heavenly home:
We adore you.

Almighty and loving God, you loved the world so much that you gave your only Son to be our Saviour. You allowed him to empty himself of his heavenly glory and become a suffering servant. Yet by grace your we have beheld his glory, such glory as befits the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. Amen.

CONFESSION

Forgive us our selfish concerns with earthly things and our failure to acknowledge your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, for that blindness to the wonder of your presence that causes us to live our lives from day to day without knowing you. Have mercy on us, give us grace to discern the suffering servant Lord in the midst of our lives, to worship and serve you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

The good news is that all who trust in Christ will have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life. As you hold this faith, I declare that you are set free from all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY: Worship, honour, glory, blessing

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: Transfiguration: seeing the glory of God in Jesus
OLD TESTAMENT 2 Kings 2:1-12 Elijah is Taken Up to Heaven
PSALM 50:1-6 True Worship
EPISTLE 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Spiritual Treasure in Clay Pots
GOSPEL Mark 9:2-9 The Transfiguration

HYMN Christ upon the mountain peak
SERMON
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

We believe in Jesus Christ who,
though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,
he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.   - Philippians 2:5-11

HYMN How good Lord to be here
OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

THE LORD'S PRAYER

HYMN Lord of light, whose name shines brighter

WORD OF MISSION
It is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. -- 2 Corinthians 4:6

BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen. |