Objective To introduce and remind your church or group of the following realities: 1. Jesus is much more than just a great man of history. 2. We need to know the transfigured Christ. 3. Fear of the Lord is recognition that we are not God. Preparation Read Chapter 14 in Fearless and record your thoughts in a journal. Meditate on all that it stirs in your heart and mind. Pray for an extended amount of time, asking God to show you what he wants your listeners to hear.31 Supporting Scripture Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves. (Matthew 17:1) He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. (Matthew 17:2) [ Jesus ] clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. (Mark 9:3 msg) God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 ncv) Who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners. (Hebrews 7:26 niv) They were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31 nlt) 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. (Matthew 17:4) While [Peter] 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! (Matthew 17:5) 1
They fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. (Matthew 17:6) The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1) I. The Transfiguration II. Jesus Is the Beloved Son III. A Holy, Healthy Fear Outline IV. We Need to Know the Transfigured Christ Opening Question: How long has it been since a fresh understanding of Christ buckled your knees and emptied your lungs? I. The Transfiguration A. Jesus wanted his followers to see where he got his fortitude. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. (Matthew 17:2) B. Christ as his truest self. God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 ncv) Who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners. (Hebrews 7:26 niv) They were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31 nlt) 2
II. Jesus Is the Beloved Son A. Getting Jesus out of the box of great men of history. Jesus is not a son or even the best of all sons. He is the beloved son. Beloved means priceless and unique. While [Peter] 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! (Matthew 17:5) B. Seeing Christ in cosmic greatness. They fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. (Matthew 17:6) III. A Holy, Healthy Fear A. Most of our fears are poisonous, but this fear is different. From a biblical perspective, there is nothing neurotic about fearing God. The neurotic thing is not to be afraid, or to be afraid of the wrong thing. That is why God chooses to be known to us, so that we may stop being afraid of the wrong thing. When God is fully revealed and we get it, then we experience the conversion of our fear.... Fear of the Lord is the deeply sane recognition that we are not God. B. As awe of Jesus expands, fears of life diminish. A big God translates into big courage. IV. We Need to Know the Transfigured Christ A. Jesus blew the sides out of the disciples preconceptions; may he blow the sides out of yours too. The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1) 3
DISCUSSION GUIDE CHAPTER 14 The One Healthy Terror EXAMINING FEAR 1. "When it comes to defining Christ, no box works." a. Into what boxes have you tried to put Christ? b. Why is it impossible to put Jesus Christ into a box? 2. "The transfigured Christ is Christ in his purest form. It s also Christ as his truest self, wearing his pre-bethlehem and post-resurrection wardrobe. a. "Why is the transfigured Christ "Christ in his purest form? b. How can a mental picture of the transfigured Christ change the way you respond to adversity? 3. "Christ has no counterparts. Only one tabernacle should be built, because only one person on the mountain deserved to be honored." a. Do you believe that Jesus Christ has no counterparts? Explain. b. Name another occasion when God emphasized that Christ should be honored over others. 4. "Fire on the mountain led to fear on the mountain. A holy, healthy fear. Peter, James, and John experienced a fortifying terror, a stabilizing reverence of the one and only God." a. What kind of terror can fortify you in your faith? How can a true reverence of God give you stability in times of uncertainty and fear? b. What Old Testament person also experienced fire on a mountain? How did it affect his view of God? How did it change his life? 5. "How long since you felt this fear? Since a fresh understanding of Christ buckled your knees and emptied your lungs? Since a glimpse of him left you speechless and breathless? If it's been a while, that explains your fears. When Christ is great, our fears are not." a. Answer the questions above. b. How does a vision of a great Christ diminish our fears? 4
EXPOSING FEAR 1. Read Matthew 17:1-8. a. Why do you suppose Jesus wanted his three closest disciples to see him transfigured just before his death? b. How can fear be both healthy and holy? From where does this kind of fear come? What did Jesus mean when he told the disciples not to be afraid? 2. Read 1 Timothy 6:13-16. a. What does it mean to you that God dwells in unapproachable light? b. What impression do you suppose verses 15-16 are designed to have upon out minds? What kind of fear does this image generate and for what reason? 3. Read 2 Peter 1:16-19. a. What impression did the Transfiguration make on Peter? b. What application does Peter make in verse 19? How can his guidance lead us into a holy, healthy, helpful fear? BATTLING FEAR Carefully study and compare the four major accounts of the Transfiguration found in the Bible: Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18. Make a list of the story elements you find there. Then take time to ponder not only the event of the Transfiguration but how it affected Peter, James, and John. And keep in mind the following statement from Max: Stare long and longingly at the Bonfire, the Holy One, the Highest One, the Only One. As you do, all your fears, save the fear of Christ himself; will melt like ice cubes on a summer sidewalk. 5