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Bible Study Questions David H. Horner, Senior Pastor Sermon for the week of June 9, 2013… “More Than a Mountain Top” Luke 9:28-36

More Than a Mountain Top Luke 9:28-36 INTRODUCTION (GROUP LEADER INSTRUCTIONS/SUGGESTIONS IN ALL-CAPS) Today/tonight we continue discussing encounters with Christ as reported in the Gospel of Luke. In his sermon, “More Than a Mountain Top,” delivered on June 9, 2013, Pastor David Horner used the story of The Transfiguration to help us better understand how God seeks to transform our character through the ups and downs of life—not mountain top experiences. Let’s begin by reading the key text, found in Luke 9:28-36 (READ): Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and 29 went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was 30 altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with 31 him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was 32 about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 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 33 with him. 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 34 Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and 35 overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out 36 of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 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. (Luke 9:28-36) ENGAGE THE GROUP Take a moment to recall a “mountain top experience” you may have had. Now, would anyone like to briefly describe their experience and also share what happened afterward? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP MEMBERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES. How important do you think “mountain top experiences” are to spiritual development and transformation of character? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP MEMBERS TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS. What makes “mountain top experiences” a real challenge for us in today’s culture?

DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE: • WE LIVE IN A CULTURE OF “INSTANTANEOUS EXPECTATIONS” • WE WANT TO SEE IMMEDIATE RESULTS • WE ARE NOT LIKELY TO WAIT AND PERSIST FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN In his sermon, Pastor Horner said: “Those who live for the mountain tops will seldom live sustained lives of disciples— only those who find Christ by faith in His Word will endure and thrive in Him.” He also stated: “The daily discipline of walking with Jesus Christ seldom breeds sensational highlights and goose bump moments. And so you find among many Christians that there is a sad, anemic brand of discipleship that depends upon mountain top moments instead of a consistent walk through the ups and downs of life with Christ.” Take a moment to re-read Luke 9:28-36. What are some things you learn about Jesus Christ from this passage? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP IDENTIFY: PASTOR HORNER CITED 3 SIGNIFICENT TRUTHS ABOUT JESUS IN THIS PASSAGE: • HIS MERCY • HIS GLORY • HIS PATIENCE Let’s explore these further, first looking what the passage reveals about Jesus’ mercy. How does His mercy affect you and me? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE: • WHEN HE CALLS US TO FOLLOW HIM, HE LOOKS BEYOND WHERE WE ARE TO WHAT CAN BE BY HIS GRACE. • WHILE WE DO NOT DESERVE THE LIFE TO WHICH HE CALLS US, HE SEEKS TO TRANSFORM US INTO WORLD-CHANGING WITNESSES. • JESUS UNDERSTANDS US, EVEN THOUGH HE MAY REBUKE US. FOR EXAMPLE, JUST DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSFIGURATION, WHEN HE HAD ASKED THE DISCIPLES, WHO DO THEY SAY HE IS, PETER, THROUGH DIVINE INSPIRATION, RESPONDS THAT HE IS THE CHRIST OF GOD. BUT THAT INSPIRED MOMENT QUICKLY WENT FROM PRAISE TO REBUKE, WHEN JESUS REVEALED THAT HE WOULD SOON BE KILLED AND ON THE THIRD DAY, BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD: And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This 23 shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:22-23)



INSTEAD OF DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM PETER, JESUS DREW CLOSER TO HIM AND SHOWED HIM THERE WAS MORE TO COME. JESUS DOES NOT GIVE UP ON US WHEN WE BLOW IT OR MISS THE POINT. HE IS EAGER TO SHOW HIS MERCY AND DRAW US NEAR TO SHOW US HIS GLORY, MUCH MORE THAN WE HAVE A RIGHT TO SEE.

Now re-read Luke 9:29-36. What do you learn about the glory of Jesus from passage? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE; • AS IN SIMILAR BIBLICAL ENCOUNTERS, MEN WERE ONLY ABLE TO GAIN A BRIEF GLIMPSE OF GOD’S GLORY. • REVELATION OF HIS GLORY SHOWS HOW FAR SIN KEEPS US APART FROM GOD. • GOD’S GLORY IS REVEALED IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST. • THIS WAS JESUS AS THEY HAD NEVER SEEN HIM. • IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT IN WHICH TWO PROMINENT OLD TESTAMENT HEROES APPEAR, MOSES AND ELIJAH, WHO ARE SEEN SPEAKING WITH JESUS ABOUT HIS PENDING DEATH, RESURRECTION AND DEPARTURE. What do you think of Peter’s reaction, as revealed in Luke 9:33, and what do you learn about the patience of Christ? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP SEE: • ONE WOULD THINK WE WOULD BE SPEECHLESS AFTER WITNESSING SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT—DO WE TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO GOD, TO BE STILL AND KNOW HIM? • PETER SEEMS TO SPEAK CARELESSLY, WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT WHAT HE HAS JUST SEEN. WHAT MIGHT WE GAIN WERE WE TO SAVOR EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS AND WHAT GOD IS REVEALING TO US? • THE FATHER INTERVENES, CALLING FOR SILENCE, AS HE COMMANDS THEM TO LISTEN TO HIS SON. OLD HABITS AND OLD WAYS ARE DIFFICULT TO LET GO, AND THE LORD MUST REBUKE US IN ORDER TO GET OUR ATTENTION AS HE WORKS TO TRANSFORM US • THE LORD IS PATIENT WITH US, DESPITE OUR SHORTCOMINGS. Now let’s read what happens following the Transfiguration, in Luke 9:43b-56 (READ): 44

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands 45 of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that 46 they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. An argument 47 arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning 48 of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For 49 he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not 50 follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you 51 is for you.” When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to 52 Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the 53 Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his

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face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, 55 “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he 56 turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village. What do you learn about the disciples following the mountain top experience known as The Transfiguration? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP IDENTIFY: • THEY STILL FAILED TO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR JESUS TO DIE. (9:45) • THEY STILL WERE NOT READY TO HUMBLE THEMSELVES. (9:46) • THEY STILL MISSED THE BREADTH OF THE GOSPEL IMPACT. (9:49) • THEY STILL HAD NO GRACE OR COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. (9:54) Pastor Horner cites three important lessons we can learn from the mountain top: 1. The inner work of the Spirit on the heart changes us, not the outward impact of extraordinary experiences. 2. To be made alive by the Spirit and empowered to new life in Christ brings about a true transformation in our lives. Recall Jesus’ words from John 3:3 and 6: Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6) As Peter’s own life demonstrates, once he was born of the Spirit to new life and was indwelt by the Spirit, he finally began to see and understand the significance of the mountain tops of his life with Jesus. So it is for all of us who choose to follow Him. (READ JOHN 14:26 AND JOHN 16:13): But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13) When the Spirit came upon the disciples, everything changed: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4) 3. The measure of genuine faith must never be the sensationalism of the mountain top experience, but the stability of the Spirit-quickened, Christ-exalting Word of God. This truth is nd revealed by Peter in his 2 Epistle, 1:3-4 (READ): His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

In concluding his sermon, Pastor Horner said: “The proof of our faith never depends on occasional glimpses of the lofty heights of faith, but always is secured by the daily light of eternal truth brightening our souls and directing our focus to see all that God is for us in Jesus Christ.” (READ) And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention has to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, (2 Peter 1:19) How will you use what we have discussed to help you in your walk with the Lord? DISCUSS/SHARE ALLOW GROUP MEMBERS TO COMMENT CLOSE WITH PRAYER