Today’s Sermon: Mark 9:1-29: “Jesus Is Transfigured On The Mountain / The Disciples Cannot Cast Out A Demon” by Pastor Jim Bomkamp

In our message today 1. Jesus will take Peter, James, and John up to a mountain to pray and be transfigured momentarily into glory 2. We will look at why Jesus may have been transfigured? 3. When Jesus and the disciples come down from the mountain they will find a commotion because the disciples who remained cannot cast out a demon from a boy. 4. We will look at the importance of prayer in our lives as Christians.

Mark 9:1 There are some who were standing there at that time that did not taste of death until they saw the kingdom of God coming with power

Matthew includes more about what Jesus said at this time: Matthew 16:27-28

For the Christian there is no death: John 11:25

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Several interpretations have been suggested for the meaning of the kingdom of God come with power: (a)Jesus’ transfiguration, (b) Jesus’ resurrection and Ascension, (c) the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and the spread of Christianity by the early church, (d) the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in a.d. 70, and (e) the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Mark 9:2-9: Jesus takes up to the mountain Peter, James, and John and is transfigured before them

Why did Moses and Elijah appear? 1. They symbolize the Law and the Prophets? 2. Moses’ body was taken away to unknown places by the angels, and Elijah was translated to heaven? 3. Are they the two witnesses that appear during the Tribulation as seen in the book of Revelation?

Luke, in his account of this story tells us what Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about, namely, His coming exodus, or departure: Luke 9:30-31

Jesus was “transfigured” 3339 μεταμορφόω [metamorphoo /met·am·or·fo·o/] v. From 3326 and 3445; TDNT 4:755; TDNTA 607; GK 3565; Four occurrences; AV translates as “transfigure” twice, “transform” once, and “change” once. 1 to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure. 1a Christ appearance was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration. Additional Information: For synonyms see entry 3345, metaschematizo.See entry 5863 for comparison of synonyms

Why would Jesus be transfigured into His glory? 1. For His own sake. 2. To bolster His disciple’s faith.

What was wrong with Peter’s statement, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah” 1. “Don’t just stand there say something.” 2. He wasn’t meant to stay on the mountain. 3. He was putting Jesus on the same scale as the great prophets.

Luke 9:28, tells us that Jesus had taken the disciples up to this mountain in order ‘to pray’

Mark 9:10-13 The disciples ask Jesus if the scribe’s teaching that Elijah must come first was correct

Mark 9:14-29 Jesus and the three disciples descend from the mountain to find that the remaining disciples are unable to cast a demon out of a boy

What the demon does to the boy: makes him mute whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground he foams at the mouth he grinds his teeth and stiffens out it has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him’

Why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon? 1. It required prayer 2. Lack of faith: Matthew 17: It might have required fasting

Notice what happens to the boy when Jesus walks up to him…

Jesus challenges the man’s faith, and the man tells Jesus he believes but asks Him to help his unbelief Why did Jesus grant this man’s request?

Notice what happens when Jesus casts the demon out of the boy…

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Just like Jesus, we too can endure our cross because of the joy that is set before us. 2. Remember that “anything is possible with God”, so don’t give up hope Believe in Jesus and ask Him to increase your faith to believe Him more.