Tag: Abiding in God’s Love

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The Transfiguration

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:28-36. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on October 20, 2024.

The stories of Moses and the Tent of Meeting in Exodus set the stage for understanding one of the most awe-inspiring moments in the Gospels: the transfiguration of Jesus. Moses had a unique intimacy with God, described as speaking “face to face” (Exodus 33:11), though not literally seeing God’s face. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the Lord hid him in the cleft of a rock, allowing him only a glimpse of His back while proclaiming His merciful and gracious character (Exodus 34:5–6). The effect of this divine encounter was visible—Moses’ face shone so brightly that the Israelites were afraid, and he had to wear a veil (Exodus 34:29–30).

Fast forward to the New Testament, and we find Jesus ascending a mountain with Peter, James, and John. There, His divine glory was revealed. Luke 9:29 describes, “The appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.” Unlike Moses, whose face reflected God’s glory, Jesus radiated His own glory, for He is God. This moment wasn’t just a display of divine splendor; it was a confirmation of His identity and mission.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus on the mountain deepens the significance. Moses, the great lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet, represent the Law and the Prophets—both pointing to Jesus. They spoke with Him about His “departure” (Luke 9:31), a reference to His impending death and resurrection. This affirmed that Jesus’ mission to suffer and die wasn’t a departure from God’s plan but its fulfillment. Isaiah 53 foretells this: “He was pierced for our transgressions… and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Peter, in his zeal, misunderstood the event. Suggesting tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (Luke 9:33), he seemed to place Jesus on equal footing with the other two. But the voice of God corrected this: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). This declaration echoes through Scripture, affirming Jesus’ unique status as God’s Son and the culmination of all the Law and Prophets.

The imagery here connects back to the Old Testament. The cloud that enveloped them recalls the Shekinah glory, the visible presence of God, which guided Israel and filled the temple (Exodus 13:21; 1 Kings 8:10). In Jesus, God’s glory is no longer distant or veiled—it has become incarnate. As John 1:14 proclaims, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.”

The transfiguration is not merely an isolated miracle; it’s a powerful affirmation of Jesus’ divine nature and His purpose to redeem humanity. Like the disciples, we can sometimes misunderstand or undervalue His glory, but Scripture calls us to see Jesus for who He truly is: the Son of God, the Savior, and the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. In Him, the full radiance of God’s glory shines, not to terrify, but to invite us into His presence.

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Thanks and Giving – From Gratitude to Generosity

Summary of my sermon, based on Colossians 3:15-17. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on October 13, 2024.

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” and moving on—it’s an active response that shapes our actions. I’ve been thinking about this while remembering a particular flight I took many years ago. Normally, I’m the type to wear shorts on a flight, even in the middle of winter, as I did when I used to fly from the frozen streets of Fort McMurray to tropical destinations. But on one flight back from a mission trip in the Philippines, my attire changed thanks to an unexpected upgrade to business class. Out of gratitude for the experience, I swapped my casual shorts for proper pants. It was a small action, but it reflected my appreciation for the generosity I’d received.

This story reminds me of what Paul teaches in Colossians 3:15-17, where he connects gratitude to specific actions three times. First, he writes, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, ESV). The “peace of Christ” isn’t just about individual calm or the absence of conflict. It’s much deeper—rooted in the biblical concept of shalom, which encompasses welfare, harmony, and completeness. This peace comes from Jesus, who reconciled us to God through His sacrifice, as Paul explains in Ephesians 2:13-14: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.”

Knowing this, how can we not feel gratitude? But more importantly, what does that gratitude inspire in us? Paul says this peace should unite us, binding us together as one body. Gratitude for salvation isn’t a passive emotion—it motivates us to live in harmony with others, reflecting the unity Christ calls us to.

Paul goes further in Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Gratitude should also lead us to immerse ourselves in Scripture, not just for our own sake but to share it with others. This sharing happens through teaching, correcting, and even worshiping together in song. It’s a communal expression of thanksgiving, as we gather in unity, centered on the Word of Christ.

Finally, Paul sums it up in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This is where gratitude transforms everything—our words, actions, and even our attitude. It’s no longer about obligation but about joyfully responding to God’s grace. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you.”

True gratitude is more than a polite acknowledgment; it’s a life-altering force. It moves us to unity, to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, and to act generously in all that we do. If we truly understand the peace and salvation Jesus has given us, then our gratitude will be visible—not just in our words but in the way we live each day.