Spiritual Change

Final Draft January 8, 2013
Message preached Transfiguration Sunday, 
the Sunday before Lent begins, Feb 10, 2013

If you can't give it all, God will take the change.

Every Sunday during the offering, we have this little red bucket that goes around.
This cute little fella comes down with all the adults and goes around collecting loose change and dollar bills.
We usually give the change to the local food pantry or some special offering that the denomination would like us to support.
That clanking in the bucket, at least to my ears, is a sound of joy.
We are giving something, even if it is a small thing, to someone who really needs it.
A mission, a pantry, a family in need of help.
A little bit of change can go a long way.

During this season of Lent, we will be focusing on that word...change.
This coming wednesday is known commonly as Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season.
During this time of Lent, people usually give some focus to going without things for the next 40 days.
We'll come back to that on Wednesday.

This Sunday before Lent is known as Transfiguration Sunday.
A day to talk about a huge change.
As soon as I saw the title for this day I knew I had to look up the word.

Definition of TRANSFIGURATION

1 a : a change in form or appearance : metamorphosis
   b : an exalting, glorifying, or spiritual change
2 capitalized : a Christian feast that commemorates the transfiguration of Christ on a mountaintop in the presence of three disciples and that is observed on August 6 in the Roman Catholic and some Eastern churches and on the Sunday before Lent in most Protestant churches

During Lent in 2013 I want to focus on this word - change.
The transfiguration passage from Matthew, Mark or Luke is commonly used today.
But, I think the Lord gave me a passage that talks about change in clearer fashion.
Paul was somebody who knew full well about transfiguration and change.

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

Side Note: Chapter 4, verse 1 uses that word "ministry".
We just got done talking about "The Pastor" through the last series of messages.
How can ministry and change go together in this series through Lent?
Well, to be in ministry implies that there are needs to be met.
Paul seems to imply that his ministry is to make sure that "the veil is taken away".
His ministry is to help bring about the change that comes when people turn to the Lord.






I could say alot about Paul here.
Damascus Road. Blinded by the sheer glory of Jesus Christ.
A man who took it upon himself to go around killing the very people who he would later share faith.
Paul knew alot about change.

Since the word has been used so many times already in this message, and it is the emphasis for this season of Lent, lets go see what it means.

Definition of CHANGE

transitive verb
1 a : to make different in some particular : alter change
the will>
   b : to make radically different : transform change human nature>
   c : to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a : to replace with another change
the subject>
   b : to make a shift from one to another : switch changes sides in an argument>
   c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign        currency) <change a 20-dollar bill>
   d : to undergo a modification of changing color>
   e : to put fresh clothes or covering on <change a bed>
intransitive verb
1: to become different change
s every hour>
2 of the moon : to pass from one phase to another
3: to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer change
twice>
4 of the voice : to shift to lower register : break
5: to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution changed
to spring>
6: to put on different clothes change
for dinner>
7: exchange, switch changed
with each other>
 It's also used as a noun and much of the definition follows part 5 of the intransitive verb usage.
transformation, transition, substitution
There's a 3 point sermon right there!
Can't give that to you right now.  There are other pressing matters.

I'll let you in one a bit on the future for this series.
I could say alot about Paul, but that's not the direction the Lord gave me.
We are going to cover the life of Peter.
Of all the guys who goes through some transformation, Peter is at the heart of it.
The man who boldly stands up and declares who Jesus.
The man who would deny him three times.
The man who would draw his sword, slicing off the ear of a soldier.
The man who would be brought to tears and shame, only to be restored and given purpose.
Luke 22:31
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
When the process of change comes to the forefront, our enemy wants a ringside seat.
More than a ringside seat, he wants to get in the ring with us.
Peter, of all people would know this best and write to his own followers...

1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Peter. The man who could speak boldly, but then in cowardice withdrew.
There would come a day when things would change.

Peter was there that day on the mountain.
The Mount of Transfiguration.
Scripture says that Jesus took with him James & John and Peter.
His inner three. His closest companions.
The three synoptic gospels give a near perfectly similar account.

James & John say nothing.
Peter is the one who can't help but speak up.
“Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Matthew's account makes it looks like Peter is simply interrupted.
        17    5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said,     “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Mark's account gives another reason....
         9    6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
Luke's account is a little more blunt.
         9   33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
Not that they were scared and didn't know what to say. Not that he was interrupted.
He just didn't know what he was saying.

Seems to be a common malady for Peter.
Maybe it's a common problem for all of us.
Maybe there is more to Peter's life that we can draw from and line up against our own.
Maybe there is something we will spot and say "Yep, that needs to change in my life too."

Maybe God could interrupt us.
The interruption might be welcome.
The interruption could divert our attention to the one we should be focusing on in the first place.
This is my Son, whom I love......Listen to him!
Change needs to happen in our lives.
From the earliest moments of the Spirit stirring in our hearts, causing us to question things.
To the that spot in the road where we decide we need Jesus in our lives.
And, the change goes forward.
Peter would finally understand some ways down the road.

1 Peter 1:3

New International Version (NIV)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Would Peter always get it. No.
There were times where he would falter, even after Pentecost, even after the Holy Spirit would be given.
It didn't make him a perfect man.
It would make him a more willing man. A person who really wanted to serve and could find the necessary focus, to put his life on Jesus. Not just putting his faith in the miracles he saw, but actually putting his trust and faith in the Person who performed them.
Not trusting in himself or his own boldness, but knowing where his boldness came from and Who gave it to him. 

Taking a little more time to think before he spoke. 
Being a little more patient with himself and the world around him.
Understanding what love and forgiveness were really all about.
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
 “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
The same man who, at first, refused to let Jesus wash his feet.
Now, he looks back and realizes why his feet are clean.

Jesus didn't demand perfection from the man.
He only wanted the change.
And, if that's all you or I can spare, then God will be happy with that. 
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