Only Jesus!

Notes: Only Jesus!

Matthew 17

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM: Harvest Worship Band

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday March 15, 2015

In this message from Pastor Greg Laurie, we learn how "mountain top" experiences help to prepare us for the valleys of life. It's Jesus alone that saves us and keeps us, even when we experience hardship.

Have you ever felt Jesus Christ in your life in a personal way? Like while reading the Bible, or at church or something. Imagine how it was for Peter, James and John when they got to see Jesus Christ transfigured.

We want to live on the mountaintops of life. But those are what prepare us for the valleys of life.

Matthew 17:1-8 NKJV

[1] Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; [2] and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. [3] And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. [4] Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." [5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" [6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. [7] But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." [8] When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

From there at the transfiguration, He looked backward at His birth and forward to the Cross.

This was a glimpse of Jesus Christ's glory.

Matthew 16:28 NKJV

[28] "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

The transfiguration was a fulfillment of that.

Moses and Elijah are there speaking with Him.

Why did He only take Peter, James and John? Were they His super disciples, or was it because they needed to see it? Extra attention from Jesus for them to learn.

James and John were called the Sons of Thunder. They wanted to call fire down on people in the past.

Jesus Christ took Peter, James and John along on three occasions:

1. To the home of Jairus.

2. To the Garden of Gethsemane

3. The mount of Transfiguration

This could be to prepare them.

Patmos is where John was sent to be not heard from again, yet from there he wrote the book of Revelation.

God prepares us. Everything you go through in life is preparing you for something else.

Matthew 17:2 NKJV

[2] and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Could you imagine seeing the light coming from Jesus Christ just for a second? Jesus showed what He could do if He wanted to during His transfiguration.

It is interesting Moses and Elijah were there. Moses really represents the Law and Elijah really represents the prophets very well.

How did they know it was Moses and Elijah? This teaches us we will be able to recognize each other in Heaven.

The Bible teaches there is a bodily resurrection. You will be a perfect you in Heaven.

Job 19:26 NKJV

[26] And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,

Moses had been dead for 1400 years and Elijah had been dead for about 900.

Jesus came to suffer death, for the resurrection and ascension.

Luke 9:32 NKJV

[32] But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

They were heavy with sleep. We can all remember doing something strange while we were half asleep.

Have you ever said something you wish you had not said?

Pastor Greg reminds us to respect law enforcement; God has placed them here for a reason.

God never lets people place their tabernacles in a place of glory when their world is still in flames. There will not be a peaceful area for just you when there is a storm going on in the lives of those around you.

We need to walk in faith and not in emotions.

Matthew 17:5 NKJV

[5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

They heard an audible voice from Heaven.

2 Peter 1:16-18 NKJV

[16] For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. [17] For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." [18] And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Matthew 17:8 NKJV

[8] When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

The law and prophets have their place but they point to Jesus Christ alone.

It is Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ only that saves us...in all situations.

Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

[24] A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Only Jesus!

Matthew 17:14-18 NKJV

[14] And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, [15] "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. [16] So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." [17] Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." [18] And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

Mountaintop moments do not last forever and thankfully neither do valleys.

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

They came from a mountain of glory to see a possessed child.

If satan doesn't attack you, then he must not think you are a threat.

The enemy attacks those who are a threat to his domain.

When we feel we are the strongest is when we may actually be the weakest.

An unguarded strength is a double weakness.

Mel Graham said he had a "drug" problem when he was a boy. His parents drug him to church on Sunday and drug him on Wednesday.

Statistics say when both parents together bring their children to church, that the kids will have a much better chance of going to church in the future.

When you are doing what is right, you should expect that there will be the devil right there presenting opposition.

Jesus Christ listens to your conversations, and so do your kids. Pay attention to what you say.

We need to go to Jesus Christ.