Lessons From A Mountaintop!

Sermon Notes

February 18, 2007

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

Matthew 17:1-9 NRSV

¹Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  ²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  ³Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 

⁴Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  ⁵While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 

⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.  ⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” ⁸And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  ⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

A.  Introduction

    1.  My Mountaintop Testimony at Pastor’s School!

        a.  One year at Pastor’s School we were asked to discuss the people and places we go to for refuge, strength, comfort, guidance, and inspiration.  We first talked about the family and friends we seek out when we are down and need some love and direction.  Then we talked about the places.  I shared about how at times I like to get away to the place that Chris and I have in Star Valley.  Our property sits on top of a hill with vistas of Granite Dells, Diamond Point, and the Mogollon Rim.  I like to sit there, look at the beauty of God’s creation and talk with my Lord.  I am reminded of God’s greatness and grace.  I feel God’s Spirit in a powerful way.  There is something special to me about the mountaintop.  I’ve always felt that way.  As a kid I liked to climb Camelback Mountain or one of the Papago Buttes.  At Church Camp as a teen and a Youth Pastor, I found a great closeness to God at the “Point” which is a viewpoint that overlooks the Verde Valley from the side of Mingus Mountain.

        b.  And I’m not alone in this.  Present day people have told me the same thing.  Indeed the people of many cultures and of various continents have found a special connection to God upon the mountain.  Likewise, the testimony of history concurs.  And most definitely, the people of the Bible have witnessed the same.  The Psalmist says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where will my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NRSV)  Our Lord Jesus, also, found the mountaintop to be a special place to encounter God.  After a quick look at the New Testament, I found Jesus going off to pray and meet with God on the mountain seven times!

    2.  Today’s Scripture:  Matthew 17:1-9

        a.  Today’s Scripture lesson is one of those times in which Jesus went up a mountain to pray.  This time he took Peter, James and John.  And on the mountaintop there is a Heavenly encounter, and Jesus is transfigured before them!  Jesus appears in His divine and majestic personae!

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        b.  It is a moving experience!  James and John are speechless.  Peter speaks for them, and in many ways for us.  Peter has a mountaintop experience!  He realizes that he is standing in a holy place.  He realizes Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Christ, and the Son of the Living God!  And then, too often like us, Peter is confused.  He wants to stay on the mountain, and Jesus makes him understand that the real ministry is with the people in the valley below.

B.  Peter was standing on Holy Ground!

    1.  J. B. Phillips    (FOR THIS DAY by J. B. Phillips, Word Books 1974)

        a.  Christian author and Bible scholar J. B. Phillips was lying in a hospital bed following a complicated and long operation.  The surgery was risky, but it was the only chance to save his life.  After the surgery he lay in bed “unable to move a finger nor blink an eyelid.”  Yet he was fully conscious.  Late one night he overheard a doctor murmur to the night nurse, “I’m afraid he won’t live till the morning.” 

        b.  Phillips fell asleep.  In his sleep he dreamed that he was alone, depressed, miserable, trudging wearily down a dusty slope.  Around him were the wrecks and refuse of human living.  There were ruined houses, pools of stagnant water, cast off shoes, rusty tin cans, worn out tires, and rubbish of every kind.  Suddenly, as he picked his way through this dreary mess, he looked up.  Not far away on the other side of a little valley was a vista of incredible beauty.  He ran toward this glorious world.  He noticed that only a tiny stream separated him from all that glory and loveliness.  He ran toward a shining white bridge that had been built across the stream and was about to set foot on it, when a figure in white appeared before him.  This figure though absolutely authoritative was also completely gentle.  Then this glorious being looked at him with what was the kindest possible love.  The being then shook his head and pointed Phillips back to the miserable slope from which he had come.  Phillips goes on to say:  “I have never known such bitter disappointment, and although I turned obediently, I could not help bursting into tears. 

        c.  This passionate weeping must have awakened me, for the next thing that I remember was the figure of the night nurse bending over me and saying, rather reproachfully, ‘What are you crying for?  You’ve come through tonight, now you’re going to live!’  But my heart was too full of the vision for me to make any reply.  What could I say to someone who had not seen what I had seen?  It is nearly forty years since the night of that dream, but I can only say that it remains as true and as clear to me today as it was back then.  Words are almost useless as a means to describe what I saw and felt, even though I have attempted to use them.  I can only record my conviction that I saw reality that night, the bright sparkling figure of the world that is eternal.  The vision has never faded.”

        d.  J. B. Phillips had a divine encounter.  He had the privilege of seeing the risen and glorified Jesus Christ!  He had a brief glimpse of the wonder of Heaven!  That night’s “near death experience” was a moment when Phillips was standing on Holy Ground.

    2.  Today’s Scripture:  Matthew 17:1-6

        a.  On the mountaintop something marvelous happened.  Jesus was “transfigured” and Peter saw the Lord in all His glory!  Then a “portal” to Heaven opened and Moses and Elijah came out to talk with Jesus!  Then the light of God appeared, surrounding them, and in a booming voice God spoke!

        b.  Peter knew this was a divine experience!  He was standing on Holy Ground!

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C.  Peter came to understand Jesus IS The Christ!

    1.  Robert Browning meets Percy Shelley!

        a.  Poet Robert Browning admired fellow and older poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.  Today you would say he was a fan of the man.  Finally they had opportunity to meet.  When Browning came home, family and friends were waiting for him. They asked about his encounter with Shelley.  Browning said simply of the meeting, “I met Shelley!”

        b.  People wanted to know what else happened on the occasion.  Indeed one friend just said it:  “You met Shelley, but what else happened?”  Browning replied, “What else?  I tell you I saw Shelley, and of course, in view of that, everything else just faded from my mind.”

    2.  Today’s Scripture:  Matthew 17:4-5

        a.  That day on the mountain, Peter knew that the man he had been following was more than just the kindest rabbi he had ever known.  At that moment Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God! 

        b.  And Peter was in such awe that he wanted to build a shrine right there to worship Jesus Christ!

D.  Peter discovered what real ministry is about!

    1.  Tree House Space Ship

        a.  It was sometime in the late 1970’s and Johnny and Billy had just watched the first Star Wars movie.  They had converted their playhouse into the Millennium Falcon Space Ship.  They were blasting off to strange new worlds and battling “tie” fighters.  They played well into the evening. 

        b.  Then Johnny’s mom was standing under the tree hollering:  “Johnny Jones, you come home right now!”  Johnny turned to his friend and said, “Well, Chewbacca, I gotta go now.  I hear earth calling!”

    2.  Today’s Scripture:  Matthew 17:7-9

        a.  Jesus does not do what Peter suggests.  They do not stay on the mountaintop.  He gently puts His hands upon the disciples’ shoulders, tells them to get up, and leads them down the mountain.   In essence, Jesus is saying to Peter, “Earth is calling!”  Mountaintop experiences are important for our renewal, retooling, and re-energizing.  However, God does not want us to stay forever upon the mountain.  There are too many needs in the valley below.  Jesus hears the cry of people for love, meaning and purpose.  The Lord hears the cry of the people who are lonely and lost.  He hears the cries of the hungry.  Jesus sees the hurtful things we do to each other.  He hears the cry of the oppressed and abused.  Jesus even hears the heart of the vilest person crying for help.  He sees the misery caused by our human sin, and sees the great need we have for redemption.  Jesus knows that the answer lies in bringing people into, or back into, a loving relationship with the Father in Heaven.  And so out of love for people, Jesus comes down from the summit to serve and save.

        b.  And the Lord calls His disciples to do the same.  Jesus loves all people and wants all people to know of His love.  He wants all people to live in harmony as children of the One Heavenly Father.  He calls us, as His disciples, to go to the hurting world with His message and His love.  He calls us to show His kindness to others in word and deed.  Jesus says to each of us:  “Make a difference.  Go out into the world, find someone in need and help!”

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E.  Conclusion:  Recap

    1.  Peter was standing on Holy Ground!

    2.  Peter came to understand Jesus IS The Christ!

    3.  Peter discovered what real ministry is about!

Matthew 17:1-9 NRSV

¹Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  ²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  ³Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 

⁴Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 

⁵While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 

⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.  ⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” ⁸And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

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