PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

From Rev Dr Tom Nibbe

If money doesn't grow on trees, how come banks have branches?
 
Two guys stole a calendar---they got six months each...
 
We got rid of our vacuum cleaner---it was just gathering dust.
 
SCRIPTURE
"...whenever Moses entered the Lord's presence to speak with Him, Moses removed the veil until he came out, and when he came out...they saw that his face was radiant..." (Exodus 34:29-35)
 
"...exalt the Lord our God and worship at His Holy Mountain, for the Lord is Holy..." (Psalm 99:9)

"...we are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away...but their minds were made dull, for to this day, the same veil remains when the Old Covenant is read..." (2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2)

​"...as Jesus was praying, the appearance of His face changed and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning...two men... Moses and Elijah...appeared in glorious splendor, talking to Jesus..." (Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a])

PRAYER
Gracious Lord and God,
All honor and praise belong to you, Lord, as we step into your sacred space on this memorable Sunday morning. On this day we remember the transfiguration of Jesus, and rejoice in the privilege giving you high, exultant praise as we worship.

​We hear the lessons and are strangely and wonderfully lifted up - especially in a time when we're all thinking about the terrible things going on in the Ukraine, along with other news item having the tendency to bring us down. In these days we definitely cannot escape the very dark side of existence forced upon us by word of mouth and the media.

​Have mercy upon us, Lord, and have mercy on the people of the Ukraine. Grant to us the radiant transfiguration of our body, mind, and soul despite the elements all around us that would have the tendency to cause us to despair, lament, feel discouraged, without the sure knowledge that you are in charge and the victory is ours through that same Lord Jesus Christ who was glorified on the mountain.

In Jesus' name, Amen.
 
THE MESSAGE
Grace and peace to you on this very special Sunday as we are reminded of Jesus being glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration. What a foretaste of the glory to come for all of us that anticipate Christ's imminent return.
 
After reading Luke's account of this powerful and dynamic event (Luke 9:28ff.) it had the great effect of uplifting me today. Indeed, I'd been burdened by our news reports from the great country of the Ukraine. I hadn't prior been aware of how negatively it'd affected me. Now, I'd have to say, I was heavily burdened and part of me, continues to cry out to Jesus. I just can't help it. I'll need worship today...

Priscilla and I have a special regard for the people of the Ukraine, because, in the early 1990s, Priscilla was instrumental in bringing a fine gentleman we knew into a personal relationship with Christ Jesus in Peru---though Canadian---this man was "Ukrainian to the Bone", loveable, and just a fine human being. He was delightful, but troubled.

Like many of us, at times, he had been tossed around by the world---betrayed, lied to, deceived, defrauded, finally abandoned. He had left Canada for a new life in Peru and was totally left out in the cold. Though he had had a successful professional career in Canada, he planned to leave for good. In the process he was defrauded of all his assets...and finally...felt safe enough to talk about it with Priscilla. He'd been so successful in life prior, he had had no time for God, Jesus, or the Bible.

That being said, he had a huge reserve of spirituality that was released when he made his confession for Christ---and focused in on what God had to say about his situation. I truly believe that the best of his Ukrainian Orthodox background became released as he personally surrendered to Jesus. It was a powerful reserve that immediately took hold of him and made him joyful, without a care. Yes, the hurt would return from time to time, but prayer times and conversation with us really brought him through rough moments. We thought in time he'd return back to Canada, but he remained in Peru and made a very successful life there. Later, he married a wonderful Peruvian Christian lady and has had a more rewarding life there in Lima than he ever had in Canada. I can only say---God has His way in our lives...
 
From a slightly different vantage point I wanted to share something that brings together the story of this gentleman and the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain.
 
Our friend, of course, never experienced transfiguration, but, in the introduction he received to the Jesus of the Scriptures, he experienced definite transformation. He didn't "get religion", so to speak---but rather, a powerful dose of the Holy Spirit which made him literally glow. His personality radiated energy. He immediately began to experience "glory" in his daily living. Nothing could hold him down. As long as Jesus was with him, he was simply okay, no matter what was happening. He was able to let go of the things that held him captive prior. In the midst of overwhelming burdens, his relationship with Jesus was all he needed to be motivated daily and take on all challenges. Priscilla and I were just amazed at the transformation.

As Jesus provided a brief introduction to the glory we will experience when we see Him with our own eyes (one day soon) and reside in that magnificent glory---that divine glory, also, was passed on to our dear friend.

​He still exudes that wonderful glow in his daily living. Though we are thousands of miles away from each other we still keep in touch, especially on birthdays, after all these years, now decades.

We live in a world that has the tendency to bring us down, because of the reality of human sin in the world all around us. The Book of Revelation suggests that the world is indeed Satan's realm (ch. 12).
 
However, as our dear friend would affirm, God is in control, nonetheless, and we need to commend all our concerns, our fears, our unbelief, into His almighty hands. He's so faithful to perform...but we must trust Him with all our hearts, and know, He answers prayer and loves it when we call upon His name. Tell Him what's going on, what you need, He'll be faithful...
 
Cordially, Tom