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Listen "Gory Before Glory | Luke 9:28-36"
Episode Synopsis
In this sermon Pastor Smith ties in Jesus’ teachings right before the
Transfiguration event with His “exodus” to come in Jerusalem. We see a
brief moment of glory here on the mountain, but things will get gory once
Jesus goes to Jerusalem and the cross that awaits Him. It is cross first,
then glory. This goes for Jesus and it also goes for us. We too have future
glory in store for us. But first…things could get gory. Maybe not
literally, but as we follow Jesus in this life we will not always have
glorious moments. There will be hardships and difficulties and burdens and
tears. But in the end…we are assured of glory, because of the work of Jesus
on the cross.
We all want glory, but usually we have to go through something difficult
first…
Luke 9:28: “Now about eight days after these sayings”...what are these
sayings?
The order is gory before glory. For Jesus and for us.
If we only expect glory as we follow Jesus, we have the wrong expectations.
We should expect a cross.
Followers of the Crucified One don’t ask why as much as we ask where.
Luke 9:35: God the Father says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to
him!” Notice that the Father only directs our attention to Jesus after His
glory has gone away.
The cross seemed weak, gory, and not at all glorious. Yet it was the way to
the ultimate glory God has in store for us.
Discussion Guide
Think about a time when you had to go through something very difficult to
get something you really wanted. What was that like? What did it teach you?
What do you normally expect from your life as a Jesus follower in this
world? Glory? A cross? How do your expectations affect your spiritual life?
When you are suffering under the weight of your cross, do you usually ask
“why is this happening?” or “where is God in this?” Which approach do you
find is more fruitful for your spiritual life?
React to St. Paul’s words in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that
is to be revealed to us
Transfiguration event with His “exodus” to come in Jerusalem. We see a
brief moment of glory here on the mountain, but things will get gory once
Jesus goes to Jerusalem and the cross that awaits Him. It is cross first,
then glory. This goes for Jesus and it also goes for us. We too have future
glory in store for us. But first…things could get gory. Maybe not
literally, but as we follow Jesus in this life we will not always have
glorious moments. There will be hardships and difficulties and burdens and
tears. But in the end…we are assured of glory, because of the work of Jesus
on the cross.
We all want glory, but usually we have to go through something difficult
first…
Luke 9:28: “Now about eight days after these sayings”...what are these
sayings?
The order is gory before glory. For Jesus and for us.
If we only expect glory as we follow Jesus, we have the wrong expectations.
We should expect a cross.
Followers of the Crucified One don’t ask why as much as we ask where.
Luke 9:35: God the Father says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to
him!” Notice that the Father only directs our attention to Jesus after His
glory has gone away.
The cross seemed weak, gory, and not at all glorious. Yet it was the way to
the ultimate glory God has in store for us.
Discussion Guide
Think about a time when you had to go through something very difficult to
get something you really wanted. What was that like? What did it teach you?
What do you normally expect from your life as a Jesus follower in this
world? Glory? A cross? How do your expectations affect your spiritual life?
When you are suffering under the weight of your cross, do you usually ask
“why is this happening?” or “where is God in this?” Which approach do you
find is more fruitful for your spiritual life?
React to St. Paul’s words in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that
is to be revealed to us
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