{"id":1106,"date":"2019-03-03T14:51:22","date_gmt":"2019-03-03T22:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1106"},"modified":"2019-03-03T14:52:12","modified_gmt":"2019-03-03T22:52:12","slug":"the-light-of-the-transfiguration-continues-to-shine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/03\/the-light-of-the-transfiguration-continues-to-shine\/","title":{"rendered":"The Light of the Transfiguration Continues to Shine!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   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\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1106-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Transfiguration-Sunday-03-03-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Transfiguration-Sunday-03-03-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Transfiguration-Sunday-03-03-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Transfiguration Sunday<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">March 3, 2019<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">2 Corinthians 4:3-6<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The Light of the Transfiguration Continues to Shine!<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus&#8217; sake.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For God, who said, &#8220;Let light shine out of darkness,&#8221; made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Have you ever stopped to consider how important light is?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If you were asked to choose between light or darkness\u2014 which one would you choose?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Most people would probably choose light.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Life as we know it depends on light, doesn\u2019t it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If it weren\u2019t for light the plants would die, the animals would die and we human beings would die.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We who experience light each and every day may think that we know what true darkness is like, but in reality we don\u2019t.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even at night, even if we were to turn off all the lights in our home there is still ambient light that allows our eyes to see after they have had time to adjust.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The only place where we might find true darkness is deep inside a cave.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But if you\u2019ve ever experienced true darkness you know just how frightening and just how oppressive it can be.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You literally cannot see your hand in front of your face!<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">It shouldn\u2019t surprise us then when we see that light is a major topic on the pages of Scripture.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In fact, do you remember the very first words of God recorded in the Bible?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Genesis 1:3 we hear God say, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cLet there be light.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Light is also a major theme of the Epiphany season.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Season of Epiphany begins with the light of a special star guiding the Wise Men to the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cOne who has been born king of the Jews\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 2:2).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Season of Epiphany shines a light on aged Simeon who praises the Sovereign Lord for fulfilling His promise and sending into this world the One who is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ca light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel\u201d<\/i> (Luke 2:32).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is only fitting then, my friends, that as the Season of Epiphany comes to a close today that we once again focus our attention on light.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today then on this glorious Transfiguration Sunday let\u2019s see how:<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Light of the Transfiguration Continues to Shine!<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Our text begins by highlighting a critically important truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what Paul says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAnd even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The picture that Paul is using here goes back to 2 Corinthians chapter three where Paul compares the<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> \u201cglory\u201d <\/i>of the \u201cold covenant,\u201d the covenant God gave to His people through Moses, with the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csurpassing glory\u201d<\/i> of the \u201cnew covenant,\u201d the covenant which is founded on Jesus\u2019 life, death and resurrection.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we heard in our Old Testament Lesson for today (Exodus 34:29-35) when Moses came down from Mount Sinai after receiving the Law directly from God his face was so <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cradiant\u201d<\/i> that it frightened not only Aaron, but all the people of Israel.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So after Moses had spoken to the people he put a veil over his face.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But when he spoke with the Lord Moses removed the veil.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Exodus 34:29-35)<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Paul uses that picture to remind us that the glorious message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveiled to those who are perishing.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why is it <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveiled\u201d<\/i> to them?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because Satan, the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgod of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When a blind person is not able to see the sun, it is not because the sun is not there.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is not because the sun is not shining.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is because they are blind!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When those who are <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cperishing\u201d<\/i> in their unbelief do not believe or trust in the glorious message of the Gospel, it is not because the Gospel is untrue.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is not because the Gospel lacks power.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is because the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgod of this age has blinded\u201d<\/i> their minds and their hearts!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are living with a shroud of death <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveiling\u201d<\/i> their eyes.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whether they realize it or not, they are stumbling through this sin-darkened world like a blind person striving to find their own way out of the deepest darkest cave there is.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Because the unbelievers are living with that dark shroud <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveiling\u201d<\/i> their eyes, because the unbelievers have been <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cblinded\u201d<\/i> by Satan, we should not be surprised when they cannot see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The darkness of unbelief is their \u201cdefault setting.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The darkness of unbelief is all they know.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The darkness of unbelief insures that the glorious message of the cross of Jesus Christ sounds like pure <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfoolishness\u201d<\/i> to them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See 1 Corinthians 1:18)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And let\u2019s not forget, my friends, that at one time we too were <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cblinded\u201d<\/i> by the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgod of this age.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At one time we too had the dark <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveil\u201d<\/i> of unbelief covering our eyes.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Are we still <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cblind\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do we still have that <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveil\u201d<\/i> of unbelief preventing us from seeing the true light?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what Paul says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor God, who said, \u2018Let light shine out of darkness\u2019 made his light shine in our hearts.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The very same God who said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2019Let there be light\u2019 and there was light\u201d<\/i> (Genesis 1:3) is the very same God who used the power of His holy Word and the power of His holy Sacraments to shine His true light into our sin-darkened hearts and fill us with the light of faith!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That precious gift of faith enables us and empowers us to \u201csee\u201d two glorious truths.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">First, the light of faith which God Himself has shined into our hearts enables us to see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Only the Gospel has the power to reveal to us that the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cglory of Christ\u201d<\/i> is found in the fact that He is the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cimage of God.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Greek word which is translated here as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cimage\u201d<\/i> is the word <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ceikon\u201d <\/i>which means <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clikeness, image, form, appearance.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To put it very simply, when we see Jesus we see the one and only true God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus emphasized this very same truth to His disciples on Maundy Thursday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip said to Jesus, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cLord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus replied, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDon\u2019t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father\u201d<\/i> (John 14:8, 9).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The writer to the Hebrews states that same truth in this way, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe Son is the radiance of God\u2019s glory and the exact representation of his being\u201d<\/i> (Hebrews 1:3).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter, James and John were eyewitnesses of this truth on the Mount of Transfiguration when Luke tells us in our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAs he <\/i>(Jesus) <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightening.\u201d<\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">How does the fact that Jesus is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe image, the eikon, of God\u201d<\/i> tie in with the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clight of the gospel\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In an absolutely beautiful comforting way!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I was researching that Greek word <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ceikon\u201d<\/i> it became very very easy for me to see the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clight of the gospel.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through the power of the Gospel God removes the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cveil\u201d<\/i> from our eyes, He cures us of the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cblindness\u201d<\/i> that the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgod of this age\u201d<\/i> has inflicted upon us and He <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">changes <\/b>us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here in this life God changes us so that as we grow in our faith, as we grow in our understanding of holy Scripture, as we grow in our trust in Him (pointing to the cross) we regain more and more of the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cimage,\u201d<\/i> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ceikon,\u201d<\/i> of the Lord our God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Romans 8:29 Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness (eikon) of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And just a few verses before our text for today Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAnd we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord\u2019s glory, are being transformed into his likeness (eikon) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit\u201d<\/i> (2 Corinthians 3:18; See also Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:22-24).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And in eternity God will change us so that we once again perfectly possess <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cimage\u201d<\/i> of God\u2014 the \u201cReflection of God\u2019s Perfection\u201d that Adam and Eve <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">lost <\/b>when they sinned against their loving Creator.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Genesis 1:26, 27)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In 1 Corinthians 15:49 Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAnd just as we have borne the likeness (eikon) of the earthly man, so we shall bear the likeness (eikon) of the man from heaven <\/i>(Jesus).<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See also Philippians 3:20-21)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In other words, just as Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cin glorious splendor\u201d<\/i> so shall we!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The instant our physical body dies our soul will appear <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cin glorious splendor\u201d<\/i> in our heavenly Father\u2019s Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth, raises our physical body from our grave and reunites it with our soul, we will live <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cin glorious splendor\u201d<\/i> for all of eternity!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Only the Gospel has the power to make that guarantee!<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The second truth that Paul brings out here in our text is that the God who said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cLet light shine out of darkness\u201d<\/i> has used the powerful message of the Gospel to make <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201chis light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While this truth very closely parallels the one we just looked at, I see in it an added truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That truth is this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cface of Christ\u201d<\/i> as it is revealed to us on the pages of Scripture we are able to see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe knowledge of the glory of God.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s think this through, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cface\u201d<\/i> of the Child of Bethlehem we are able to see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe knowledge of the glory of God\u201d<\/i> in the fact that from all of eternity the Lord God knew that the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only <\/b>way to save us from our own sins was to send His holy begotten Son into this world as our true Brother.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cface\u201d<\/i> of the twelve-year-old Jesus who willingly <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csubmitted\u201d<\/i> to the authority of His earthly parents even though they were mortal sinful human beings (Luke 2:46), we see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe knowledge of the glory of God\u201d<\/i> in the fact that Jesus lived an absolutely perfect life in our place, always keeping all of God\u2019s Law <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for <\/b>us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Hebrews 4:15)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cface\u201d<\/i> of Jesus as He cried out from the cross, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?\u201d <\/i>(Mark 15:34), we see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe knowledge of the glory of God\u201d<\/i> in the fact that God\u2019s Son was willing to endure the fiercest punishment of hell so that we don\u2019t have to!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cface\u201d<\/i> of the risen Christ who said to His disciples on Easter Sunday, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cPeace be with you!\u201d<\/i> (John 20:19) we see <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe knowledge of the glory of God\u201d<\/i> in His assurance (Pointing to the cross) that through faith in what He has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for <\/b>us we have true lasting <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpeace\u201d<\/i> with the God of heaven\u2014 not only now, but also in eternity!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, my friends, any time we want to see, anytime we want to understand the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cglory\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s grace or the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cglory\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s compassion or the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cglory\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s love or the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cglory\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s power or the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cglory\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s free gift of salvation all we need to do is look into the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cface\u201d<\/i> of Jesus!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Light.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is no debate when it comes to the importance of light.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as our physical life depends on physical light, so also our spiritual life depends on spiritual light\u2014 the light that the Living God shines into our heart through His powerful Means of Grace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May the good Lord grant that as we prepare to leave the light-filled Season of Epiphany and enter into the solemn Season of Lent that we will always remember and always rejoice in this truth: <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">The Light of the Transfiguration Continues to Shine!<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">To God be the glory!<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Amen<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Transfiguration-Sunday-03-03-19.mp3\">Transfiguration-Sunday-03-03-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Transfiguration Sunday March 3, 2019 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 The Light of the Transfiguration Continues to Shine! &nbsp; And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.&nbsp; The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1106"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1106\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}