The Coolidge examiner., 1939-01-12
PETER SEES CHRIST's GLORY

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 17:1-9. 14-18.
GOLDEN TEXT-We beheld his glory.
the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father.-John 1:14
Service in the name of Christ can
be nothing but an empty formality,
and a disappointing experience OF
ones inability really to help anyone,
unless it is backed by a vision Of
the Saviour in all His glory. To
Peter, whose life we are studying,
there came such an experience as
he went with the Lord to the Mount
of TRANSPORTATION. We cannot
duplicate that day of days in his life
in any physical sense, but we may,
yes we must, withdraw to that quiet
place where we may spiritually see
Him whose we are and whom we
serve as our transcendent Lord.
1. A Vision of Glory (vv. 1-9.
l. A mountain-top experience (vv.
1-3).
Too much of the daily life and
walk of Christians is in the valley.
We need now and then to come up
to the high places where we may be
spiritually renewed. Jesus is ready
to take us as He did the three dis
ciples, "up into a high mountain
apart" We may not be able to
move our bodies, but our spirits
may soar to sublime heights with
Him. There He will reveal Him
self in all His glory.
2. A mistaken attitude ". ~.
Whether Peter was confused by
the remarkable experience, or if it
was but another expression Of his
unfortunate tendency to talk when
he should be quiet, we do not know.
But he is a representative of those
who miss the supreme blessing Of
such a priceless moment by trying
to tell God what should be done.
Had Peters suggestion been ac-
cepted by our Lord there would new
er have been any redemption for the
human race Sin and sorrow would
have reigned supreme in the earth,
while he and his brethren enjoyed
season of fellowship with Moses and
Elias and their Lord.
3. A divine testimony (vv. SD.
God spoke and scattered the con-
fusion of mems thinking by declar-
ing the deity of Jesus, This is my
beloved Son." and His supremacy,
Hear ye him" We live in days Of
theological and philosophical confu-
sion. We struggle in vain to resolve
the moral chaos which has resulted
from erroneous teaching by any
arguments or by the devices of men.
Let us appeal to the Word of God.
1t is plain, powerful, sharper than
a two-edged sword"
4. A glorious result (vv. 8, 81.
'They saw no man save Jesus
only"
ii. A Call to Service (vv. 14-18).
Service should never precede
vision. Vision is given as prep
aration for service.
l. A needy soul (vv. IA, 15).
We live in a world of such des-
perate need that even the confirmed
"all's we'll with the world optimists
are beginning to see that their rose
colored glasses cannot make them
oblivious to its sin and sorrow. The
boy was sick; his father was in
despair; and these two things just
about sum up the need of most Of
humanity.
2. Impotent Christian workers
(vv. 16, I'D.
The man brought his son to the
place where he had right to ex-
pect help-to the followers of Christ.
But he found them without faith to
help him. Little wonder then that
those around them were still in per-
verse unbelief. We who profess to
follow Christ, and especially those
of uS who say that we are His serv-
ants, should be ashamed of our inn
potent gestures toward our needy
fellow men. There is power with
God, power in prayer, power in de-
voted and faithful service to Christ.
Let us claim it!
3. The omnipotent Saviour ". l8).
Jesus spoke, and the demon de-
parted. The absolute supremacy of
our Lord appears not only on the
mount of glory, but shines even
more brightly in the valley of need.
Words do not suffice to describe
Him, and yet we must by both word
and life proclaim Him to the world
as it's living Lord and Saviour.
4. A glorious result ". l8).
1.-The child was cured from that
very hour"
Here is no partial solution, no
hope to help you" effort to meet
mans need. Jesus met the boys
full need and at that very hour. Just
so we may tell the sinner that he
may come to the Saviour with the
full assurance that his sin will be
put away, and that by faith he will
child Of (rnH