Brief Summary
This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding grace through truth by following Jesus's example of prayer and discipleship. It highlights that true Christianity is about seeking Jesus and being transformed into His image through prayer, not just asking for material possessions. The sermon encourages listeners to prioritize spending time with Jesus in prayer to experience transfiguration and gain a deeper understanding of His grace and truth.
- Grace must be understood with truth to truly know Jesus.
- Being with Jesus and praying with Him are essential to understanding grace.
- Prayer should focus on becoming like Jesus, leading to transfiguration and a deeper understanding of God's grace.
Introduction: Manifestation of Jesus
The sermon begins by expressing gratitude and acknowledging that the church is still in its early stages compared to what Jesus will accomplish. It emphasizes that Jesus can take time, even years, to be fully formed in individuals. Once this transformation is complete, individuals can be confidently released to serve without betrayal. The focus is on Jesus as the embodiment of grace and truth, encouraging the congregation to embrace His example for a deeper experience of His presence.
Grace Full of Truth
The speaker references John 1:14, highlighting John's testimony about Jesus being full of grace and truth. He emphasizes the importance of understanding grace correctly, as the church's comprehension of Jesus depends on it. He insists that grace is full of truth, addressing a concern that the current approach to grace may be lacking in truth, leading to confusion and a lack of true knowledge of Jesus among believers. The speaker encourages studying Jesus's ministry and how He showed grace full of truth to His disciples.
The Pattern of Jesus' Ministry
Jesus understood human limitations and came to ensure everyone can understand grace, particularly the saving grace that forgives sins without any required action from us. Even with this saving grace, it's important to follow the pattern Jesus showed to His disciples, which led them to testify about Him. This pattern involves being with Jesus, as highlighted in Mark 3:13-14, where Jesus calls those He wants to be with Him so they can understand grace full of truth.
Being With Jesus Through Prayer
The grace full of truth calls believers to be with Jesus, which equates to praying with Him. The speaker emphasizes the simplicity of Christianity, urging the church to know Jesus, the grace full of truth, by being with Him and praying with Him. By being with Jesus, the disciples saw Him praying, leading them to pray with Him and realize how grace is full of truth.
Revelation of Jesus Through Prayer
As Jesus prayed with His disciples, He asked them who the crowds said He was, and then who they believed Him to be. Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, a revelation given by God. This revelation signifies that Jesus, the anointed one, solves people's problems, which originate from sin. Spending time with Jesus is essential for Him to reveal Himself, leading to a clearer understanding of Him.
The Importance of Seeking Jesus First
Christianity is about seeking Jesus and the kingdom of God first, with material things added later. God blesses materially, but Christianity is not solely about material blessings, as even unbelievers possess them. Prayer should focus on having Jesus, which leads to receiving what is needed for life in due time and discerning grace full of truth. The speaker uses the example of Peter, who, after spending time with Jesus, recognized Him as having the words of eternal life when others left.
Prayer as a Permanent Practice
John's testimony reflects the apostles' understanding after being with Jesus for years. Prayer must be a permanent practice, signifying being with Jesus rather than just asking for material things. Choosing to pray means choosing to be with Jesus, trusting that He knows and will reveal why things are as they are.
Seeing Jesus' Glory Through Transfiguration
John also testified to seeing Jesus's glory, referring to the transfiguration experience in Luke 9. Jesus took Peter, John, and James to a mountain to pray, where His appearance changed, and His clothes became bright. This transfiguration experience allowed them to understand that He is the Son of God, full of grace and truth. Prayer leads to transfiguration, and one should pray to see and hear Jesus praying through the Holy Spirit.
Transfiguration and Becoming Like Jesus
Through prayer, believers are transfigured to become like Jesus, embodying truth. Moses and Elijah appeared during the transfiguration to guide Peter, John, and James to follow Jesus's example. The goal of prayer is to be transformed into the image of Christ, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 3:18. The speaker contrasts this with praying solely for material needs, which can lead to mistakes and a lack of truth in one's actions.
The Power of Grace Through Prayer
The apostles continued to testify with great power about Jesus's resurrection, with God's grace powerfully at work in them. They maintained prayer and the ministry of the word, resulting in no needy persons among them because God's grace full of truth was powerfully at work. The speaker prophesies transfiguration and encourages listeners to examine their prayer life, shifting from asking for things to seeking to be like Jesus.
Handling Blessings with a Transformed Heart
God wants believers to have things after they are like Him, ensuring that possessions do not destroy them. The speaker questions whether God can trust believers with wealth, knowing that Jesus is fully formed in them. He prophesies financial blessings but urges listeners to consider if they can handle the money while remaining in Christ Jesus, emphasizing the importance of praying for transformation.
