R sbc
Date: 10/17/04
Series: Christ The Sum & Substance of The Bible
Sermon # 18
Subject: “ The Identity of Christ # 2"
Text: Matthew 17:1-9
Intro: This great series has led us to many parts of the Bible, and my purpose is set forth in the gospel the same truth’s that I have set forth in the Old Testament. Last time we spoke of the identity of Christ from chapter 16 and today we shall show Christ once again to be the true reality of heaven and of earth. That this great event sheds light upon the truth that the old covenant is gone with the appearance of Christ.
In the account Luke provides something that Matthew nor Mark give, that is Christ discusses his death with Moses and Elias: Luke 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Luke 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
This event so impressed Peter that the Holy Spirit wrote it deep into his heart and he wrote about years later. 2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
There is much in the way of teaching in this passage concerning the identity of Christ as the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I trust that we can glean some truths that will enhance us, encourage us, enlighten us, edify us, build a stronger faith in who our LORD JESUS CHRIST really is.
I... “ THE HEAVENLY VISION OF CHRIST..VS 1-3
He takes that inner circle up with him, not just because he wanted company, not just because they wanted to go. He takes them for a real doctrinal lesson that these future leaders no doubt would learn and learn well.
Peter had revealed unto him in the previous chapter by the Father that Christ was the son of the Living God..James was to become the first pastor of the church at Jerusalem, and then that beloved John would be the man used by God to unveil the great mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ and it’s struggles with the Roman Empire which he penned in the book called Revelation.
1ST. The transfiguration of the Lord: vs 2
This word means to change into another form. Thus Christ did. This was done similar to Moses in his encounter with the LORD in the receiving of the Law: Exodus 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. Exodus 34:30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
May at this time say that if a person has an encounter with the Lord that it will change you, it will be a transformation of your life. People will know that you have been with the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
When the writer of the Book of Hebrews opened his letter he opens it with this wonderful proclamation of Christ: Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Be assured this morning that Christ is the true light, that light that drives out darkness of the heart. That he is the light that is pure and unmixed with human sin. John describes him as the:
John 1-4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 ¶ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John in his description of Jesus Christ on the Ile of Patmos said these words of this lighted garment: Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
White in the Bible always represents purity. Christ is depicted as a lamb, which is white, Christ is depicted as riding a white horse in the book of Revelation. Virgins wear white as a sign of purity. Christ is the whitest of the white, the purest of the pure.
Men in their natural love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. Sinners run like rats for a whole to get out of the light. Creatures of darkness. Loving sin and doing it.
II... “ THE APPEARANCE OF TWO OLD TESTAMENT MEN OF GOD”..VS 3
This no doubt has been a mystery to many, and until recently I never give it much thought. But since I have been studying for these sermons and a question ask by Bro Anond to me when he was here I just didn’t pay much attention to it.
I guess the first thing that came to my mind concerning this event of these two men, was that it teaches that death does not end it all. That there is life after this world. That is true and we see it here. Another thing that came to my mind was that we will know each other in heaven even though we haven’t known each other here. That likewise is true, but there is a deeper meaning than this.
(1.) Moses:
Moses being the receiver of the Law, the deliverer of the Lord’s people out of Egypt, the man that failed to entered into the promised land, the man whom God personally buried and no man knows to today were he is buried.
It was said about Moses: Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
So it would be proper for Moses to appear before the LORD on this day and in this great event, seeing that his prophecies and other things were about to be fulfilled. Moses followed that rock and that rock was Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
So what I see is the old covenant now coming to it’s conclusion and Peter, James and John needed to witness this. John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
(2.) Elijah:
Here we see this man representing the prophets. This is so clear to me and I hope you see it also. Christ came to fulfill the law and the prophets Matt 5:17 Christ preaches this after his resurrection:
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
What a privilege it was for these three men to witness this great event before it happens. Now what a privilege it is to see it in the word of God.
III... “THE CELERITY OF THE MATTER” VS 4-5
When God says something it is final. He will not take it back, he will not back up on it. He will sustain it through out his written word.
1st. The misgivings of Peter: vs 4
The greatness by which the people of the Old Covenant gave to these men is profound to say the least. In the meeting houses of the Jews they have what they call Moses seat. It is even written in the gospel.. Matthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses‘ seat:
Moses’ seat was the seat of authority, since Moses gave the law then whoever set in that seat, some thinking this seat to be symbolic of his authority, others believe it to be a literal place in waiting for Moses to sit there again one day. It is not my intent to argue that point but show how much they respected him and others of the old covenant.
Peter wanted to enshrine these men of God, it is not proper to enshrine men of God, because they are just men including these and others that we respect as men of God. Peter wanted to put them on equal ground with the Christ. One after you, one after them.
2nd. The intercepting God: vs 5
The Lord says three things in this passage:
(1.) This is my beloved son:
This occurred one more time, at his baptism. Then Peter confirms it in his writings. No question that Christ is the Son of God, indeed he is the only begotten son of GOD. We are called sons of GOD by position and not by actual birth.
(2.) I am well pleased:
Not just pleased with him, but well pleased. Christ did all that the Father had called upon him to do and Jesus said I do always those things that please my Father.
(3.) Hear ye him:
The law is fulfilled and the prophets. Now is the time to recognize and believe who this one is, and not only that hear what he has to say. It was God that said:
Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
The great preaching and the teachings of Christ supersedes every one. It was said in
Luke 16-13 “ No servant can serve two masters: for eitehr he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise theother. Ye cannot server God and mammon. Vs 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. Vas 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
I like what Matthew Henry says; Whatever interest they had in the world of as prophets, were willing to see it all transferred to Christ. I believe that to be the truth. This is why Christ is the sum and the substance of all things.
Luke in writing about Moses and quoting from him said these words:
Acts 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. Acts 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
IV... “ THE REACTION OF THE DISCIPLES AND THE LORD”..VS 6-9
1ST. It was one of fear: vs 6
Believe me I would have been afraid also. They fell on their faces indicating a realization they were permitted to see something and hear something that we just read about. This is why the Lord says in his word over and over, fear not little flock. Fear not neither be dismayed it is I.
2nd. The input of Christ...vs 7-9
The great touch of the masters hand calms all fears. Christ is interested in us. Casting all your care on him for he careth for thee. If we could just believe that the LORD does really touch us, he touches us with his word and with his spirit.
They saw no man but Christ.
A. You must see no man when it comes to salvation: I am the way and the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me.
B. You must see no man when it comes to the word of God.