Rediscover Jesus: Glory and Power (Lite)

March 27th, 2022
by T.J. Nichols

^{_{Rediscover Jesus:}}^{_{Glory & Power}}
_{Minister Paula Fuller}

^{_{Small Group Sermon Reflections (Lite)}}

Opening Prayer & Check-in
Listen Up: Arise
Scripture Texts: Mark 9:2-10

Sermon Preamble: Reverend Paula Fuller continued our journey in Rediscovering Jesus through the lens of Mark’s Gospel. She noted that Mark being the no-frills person that he was, began his gospel with the good news about Jesus Christ. Paula shared that the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew, “Joshua” or the Aramaic, “Jeshua” which means “Jehovah is Salvation.” Paula then led us through scripture to see the glory of Jesus revealed in the Transfiguration and the connected power of Jesus.

Jesus Calls His Disciples

Mark begins with Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Jesus is introducing a new era to humanity
Although Jesus called 12 disciples, only three (3) were part of His inner circle (Peter, James, & John)

The Transfiguration

Jesus’ clothes were whiter than anyone could have bleached them
Elijah and Moses appear and are talking with Jesus
A cloud covered them and God spoke an affirmation over Jesus, His Son
Peter’s zeal causes him to get ahead of himself or put another way, to put his foot in his mouth

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

A traumatic experience for both the son and his father
The impact of an extended duration of suffering
The other nine (9) disciples could not drive out the demon

Belief Matters

The nine (9) disciples could not drive out the demon due to their unbelief
The disciples must have been a bit embarrassed by this and may have even questioned their abilities
Jesus said, “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
This type of healing requires a “kind” of not just prayer but, prayer AND fasting

Mark 9:38-40

There were others who were casting out demons and they were not the disciples
Jesus’ response to this was to say that Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.
Perhaps it was someone that Jesus ministered to…someone who had been healed from an illness or delivered from an evil spirit

Rediscovering God’s Glory

We must pause and listen for answers
One of the ways to do this is called out in Psalm 19 which says that the heavens declare the glory of God
Look up, then look around (in nature) and take in all that God has made

Consider the Flowers of the Field

See Matthew 6:28-30
The same God that cares for them cares for us
Connecting glory to God’s power will have us rediscover His power

Operating in Jesus’ Power

Acts 1:8 - “Ye shall receive Power”
Romans 10:17 - “So then faith comes by hearing…”
1 Corinthians 4: 20 - “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk…”
Hearing God’s word strengthens us and builds our muscle memory
Operating in God’s power enables us to do greater works
God wants us to OPERATE in his POWER… so the kingdom advances, God’s kingdom comes near because we are in the room

Arise

God sees us
He knows we struggle to praise when we are in the doldrums
God sees and cares for the parents
God sees and cares for the students
Ask God to work in God’s Will, God’s Glory, and God’s Power
Don’t be like the sons of Sceva

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Head

Read Mark 9:7, Exodus 19:9, and 40:34. In both accounts, we read that God came in a cloud. In Exodus God used the cloud to guide, protect, and speak to Israel. What is the significance of God speaking from the cloud in this passage?
The transformation of Jesus in Mark 9:2-8. is also found in Matthew 17:1-8 and Luke 9:28-36. Read all three accounts and talk about similarities and any differences that are provided. What sticks out most to you about the different accounts?
On the mountain top, Jesus was transformed in the presence of the disciples. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome and Corinth about the transforming work of God. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:1-2, then talk about the transforming work of Jesus that you see currently happening in, around, and through you.
Why do you think Jesus chose only three of His disciples to watch His transfiguration? If He chose three people from this group, would you be one of them? Why or why not?
What is the significance of Jesus’ clothes being “intensely white?” Why do Moses & Elijah appear with Jesus and what is the significance of this phrase in verse 8: “they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only”?
What does listening to Jesus have to do with your current suffering? With your future glory?

Heart

What are some of the areas in which you would like to see the Gospel transform your life? Are they areas of relationship, goals, health, or spiritual transformation?
Read Mark 9:2-13. In what ways are you tempted, or what “tents” are you trying to build, to focus on your future glory and forego the suffering that must precede it?
The three disciples were “terrified” (v. 6). Should they have been? Why or why not? Would you have been terrified if you were with them? Why or why not?
In verse 7 God says, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” In what ways does this phrase encourage you? Challenge you? Convict you? Cause you to reprioritize your life? Motivate you?
In what areas or circumstances of your life do you need to remember that when you look around you see no one with you “but Jesus only” and how does this fact encourage and motivate you in each circumstance or area?

Hands
This week take a walk outside and encounter God first by looking up towards heaven and asking Him to speak to you. Then, look around in nature and take in the beauty of His creation and be consumed by the awe of looking through new eyes and the power of God manifest in nature.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT
Head

Read Mark 9:7, Exodus 19:9, and 40:34. In both accounts, we read that God came in a cloud. In Exodus God used the cloud to guide, protect, and speak to Israel. What is the significance of God speaking from the cloud in this passage?
The transformation of Jesus in Mark 9:2-8. is also found in Matthew 17:1-8 and Luke 9:28-36. Read all three accounts and talk about similarities and any differences that are provided. What sticks out most to you about the different accounts?
On the mountain top, Jesus was transformed in the presence of the disciples. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome and Corinth about the transforming work of God. Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:1-2, then talk about the transforming work of Jesus that you see currently happening in, around, and through you.
Why do you think Jesus chose only three of His disciples to watch His transfiguration? If He chose three people from this group, would you be one of them? Why or why not?
What is the significance of Jesus’ clothes being “intensely white?” Why do Moses & Elijah appear with Jesus and what is the significance of this phrase in verse 8: “they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only”?

Heart

What are some of the areas in which you would like to see the Gospel transform your life? Are they areas of relationship, goals, health, or spiritual transformation?
Read Mark 9:2-13. In what ways are you tempted, or what “tents” are you trying to build, to focus on your future glory and forego the suffering that must precede it?
The three disciples were “terrified” (v. 6). Should they have been? Why or why not? Would you have been terrified if you were with them? Why or why not?
In verse 7 God says, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” How does this phrase inspire you? Challenge you? Convict you? Cause you to reprioritize your life? Motivate you?

Parents, share with your children the power of prayer and introduce the concept of fasting and its benefits

Heart

Share with your children the ways in which you would like to see the gospel transform your life as well as theirs and the steps you are going to take as a family in order to see God move on your behalf.

Hands