Mountains and Valleys

Luke 9:28-45

Introduction

1.      Experience has taught me that if things are going well, something bad is about to happen and if things are going really badly, something good is about to happen – life has its ups and its downs

2.      Life for the apostles with Jesus was like that as well

3.      We need to learn to cope with everything that life brings our way – Phil 4:13 was Paul’s way of putting it – he had the visions and revelations and he had the “thorn in the flesh”  

Discussion

1.      The experience of the disciples on the mountain

a.       Jesus went to the mountain to pray  

b.      Three disciples were chosen to accompany him  

c.       They experienced a transfiguration of Jesus in which he was glorified and a meeting with Moses and Elijah in which they discussed Jesus’ “departure”  

d.      Peter’s recommendation:  Three tabernacles (he did not suggest three statues)  

e.       God’s reply  

2.      The experience of the disciples in the valley

a.       The confidence of the father in bringing his son to be healed  

b.      The failure of the disciples to effect a change  

c.       Jesus arrival brought help and healing  

d.      Jesus explains their failure  

3.      Application to a Christian’s life

a.       There will always be special times when one feels closer to God, more in His presence  

b.      The disciples were not allowed to talk about their experience  

c.       There will always be times when one feels like a failure  

d.      Life is not lived on the mountain top  

Conclusion

1.       I remember the trials of the past

2.      But, especially, I remember the excitement of the experiences that God has allowed to be a part of my life

a.       My baptism

b.      My marriage to Maryann

c.       The hundreds of people that I have been privileged to baptize