Telling Stories
Presented at County Line Brethren Church on February 21, 2010.
Year C, First Sunday in Lent
Scripture passages: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
In the near future, I plan to return to Pleasant Hill, Ohio for a visit. I haven't actually seen anyone from there in almost 46 years. Our family left there after I finished the 4th grade. I drove through the town once or twice as an adult, but I never connected with anyone face to face. I did speak to one of my former classmates from Pleasant Hill, perhaps in 1986 or 1987. Martin Peacock was actually one of Max Strother's references when he applied here for the position of youth pastor. Martin was one of my classmates in school from 1960-1964 in Pleasant Hill. He also happened to be Max Strother's pastor for awhile. Small world, huh?
I've mentioned some of my memories from Mulvane, Kansas, but I do not recall sharing any memories from Pleasant Hill. Pleasant Hill was my father's first full time pastorate. I still remember my phone number, OR(chard)6-2801. I remember trying to smoke a hollow dead reed from a bush in the yard of the parsonage – just to see what smoking was like – I didn't like it. I remember running home scared from school once because there was a bully nearby. I remember school being let out early the day JFK was assassinated. I remember praying for a basketball for Christmas – and I got a basketball for Christmas!!! To this day, I'm not sure if it was God, my parents or Santa who answered that prayer (wink). I also remember having a friend of mine on the prayer list, Tony Fessler, who had developed pneumonia. Funny what we remember, isn't it. I have recently had contact with him via email. By the way, Tony is doing fine and still has a collection of get well cards he received from his classmates that he looks at every once in awhile. God answered our prayers 46 years ago and Lord willing, I hope to see him again soon. Our memories and telling our stories, in some way, define who we are today.
I don't recall ever preaching on this passage in Deuteronomy before. Here's the context. The children of Israel are poised to enter the Promised Land after wandering in the desert for 40 long years. Beginning in Chapter 5, Moses shares instructions about God's law with the people. Indeed, most of Deuteronomy is comprised of this long speech, if you will, of Moses giving instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Land. Moses talks about the importance of obeying God, clean and unclean food, canceling debts every 7 years, the sin of usury, not moving boundary markers, the cities of refuge, marriage laws, providing for the needs of the poor and the aliens, and a host of other laws.
Near the middle of this long discourse, in chapter 26, Moses provides instruction regarding the sharing of the First Fruits. In this agrarian society, land would be king and harvest time was critical. Throughout the Old Testament the land would be a prominent theme, as one of God's greatest promises and abundant gifts, and one of the people's most symbolic treasures. It is important to note that the “promised land” came from God and was (and still is today) the source of life for the people, literally and figuratively. And yet, our common failing as human beings is to forget the source of our subsistence. We work hard. Indeed, farmers are among the hardest working laborers in any society. They prepare the soil, plant the seed, tend the young plants, chase away weeds and predators, grooming them when needed, and carefully maximizing the harvest. This is done day in and day out, year after year, some years better than others, for a lifetime. The Lord, knowing the deepest, most hidden part of our hearts, knew our propensity to give ourselves too much credit and take God and his gifts too much for granted.
And so God, in his wisdom, sought to remind us of the source of our sustenance. God set forth a ritual surrounding the feast when the harvest begins. The farmer brings a basket of the very first pickings to the priest. As he stands before the priest, still holding the gift basket, he says the following to the priest.
Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us. (Deut. 26:3 – NRSV)
This is a very real and meaningful statement. The farmer is, in this opening statement, affirming that the land came from God. Not only that, for in this statement, the farmer confesses that this gift of the land was a fulfillment of God's promises to their ancestors several generations before. The message is strong. God fulfills his promises.
The priest then takes the basket, accepting the affirmation of God as Source, God as a Promise Keeper, as well as an acknowledgement of the gift. The priest sets the gift before the altar of the Lord. Then the farmer made the following statement.
A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me. (Deut 26: 5-10 – NRSV)
This is a confession, a story if you will, of God's great benevolence to the children of Israel. This is not just for the farmer, it is for all of us. It is a confession about who I am and who we are. It is a confession of the rightful positioning of God and his people. It is a story of where I/we have come from. It is a story about the greatness of God's generosity and what God has done for me/us. Truly, that is what confessions are – they are stories about God, and us. They remind us of God's grace, mercy and abundance – of hearing and answering our cries for help and of his provisions for our care and survival. These confessions chop away at our delusions of being self-made women or self-made men. You may have worked your fingers to the bone, but where did you get those fingers? You may have done it your way, but you didn't do it yourself. No one ever has. Where do you think those skills came from that have allowed you to do your job.
Malcolm Gladwell has written three best-selling novels: The Tipping Point, Blink and, most recently, Outliers. In this most recent work, Gladwell essentially debunks the whole idea of the self-made man. In the book, he states, “the biggest misconception about success is that we do it solely on our smarts, ambition, hustle and hard work." The fact of the matter is that a lot of “success” has to do with factors outside of the control of the individual.
I'm reminded of the show on the Weather Channel entitled, “When Weather Changed History.” It highlights how weather impacted historical events such as D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, in George Washington’s battles with the British, or how a dust storm in an Iranian desert shut down an American rescue attempt. It is not just the size or firepower of the engaging armies. Something else is at play. Yes, larger forces are at play here.
How else would you explain the approaching winter in Moscow as one of the reasons for the downfall of Napoleon. Furthermore, in War and Peace, Tolstoy attributes the victory to none other than Providence, especially given that on paper the Russian army should have lost, but at every critical moment, the Russian army was spared from disaster. The novel, War and Peace, is as much a theological treatise as it is an historical novel of the War of 1812. Indeed, it is a confession proclaiming God as Source, God as a Promise Keeper, as well as an acknowledgement of the gift , no less than the confession farmer as he gave the basket of First Fruits to the priest. These are confessional stories. They are stories which tell of God's Providence and Provision.
Two important people in my life have written some of their memoirs before they died. One was my Uncle Allen. He was the sports editor for the Lancaster Intel Journal in Lancaster Pennsylvania for 10 years. He tells a story about how he was privileged to cover the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. He was asked to go by the head of the amateur archery association in the U.S., who happened to live in Lancaster. This man, Clayton Shenk, actually used his influence to get my uncle his press pass to go to Montreal. My uncle recognized that it had nothing to do with his own abilities, but the persistence of Clayton Shenk who secured the press pass for Montreal.
My uncle also tells the story about how he became interested in the justice issues of Central America. This was sparked by a sermon in which his minister in Baltimore which described a pastor in Arizona by the name of John Fife who was giving sanctuary to refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador. He went on a couple of trips to Central America in support of justice for the poor people there. In his memoirs, he speaks of how coincidences or Providence created these opportunities. Indeed, it was not my uncle's abilities. Instead it was Providence.
For me, I have had a strong interest in missions, which I attribute to spending time with missionaries and their kids while they were on furlough and going around to churches telling their stories. And then there was the missionary service at General Conference one year. I don't remember who the speaker was. I can't even remember what year it was exactly, perhaps early 70's?? There were two of us that went forward that evening: Ron Waters and myself. I felt privileged when I was here at County Line to go to Lost Creek and to Mexico (as part of a youth trip to San Diego). And a few years ago, I was able to visit El Salvador. It seems that I have inherited my uncle's love for Central America and justice. These are my confessions, my stories. They are stories of the Provision and the Providence of God.
I remember when I made the decision to seek a pastorate. We were living in Westfield, attending the new Carmel Brethren Church. When it was mentioned to me about the possibility of County Line, one of my first concerns was that Herb had served here. As it turned out that was not a problem. I then decided upon a plan. Wherever I would go, I would first be called to the church, then I would give my 30 day notice to my present job, and put our mobile home up for sale and sell it in 30 days. Then, in perfect timing, we would move to our new home in answer to the new call. Well, I may have told this story, this confession, before, but it illustrates how God has a sense of humor. Prior to coming up to County Line for the visit, I decided that I needed to tell my boss what I was seeking and that I did not anticipate being around much longer. Now when you tell that to a judge, or some other employers, they could let you go before you're ready. But he did not and was supportive in the midst of his disappointment. We also decided to put the mobile home up for sale. Well, it sold in a matter of days. And we had to be out of the house before the vote. As I recall in the week between our visit and the church's vote, as we were discussing some things with the buyer, there was a knock on the door – It was Charles and Virginia King!! What am I supposed to do, lie to them? Well, we ended up telling them that we had already sold the house and requested that this information be kept a secret for awhile. So, by the time the vote was being taken here at County Line, Beth and the girls had temporarily moved back to Ashland to be with her parents, we had no home, I was living temporarily with Mark Baker, and our belongings were scattered in 3 different places in 2 different states. So, when I got the call from County Line asking me to be your pastor and they asked when I could start, I pretty much said whenever you want. God does have a sense of humor. Oh, and by the way, when I first considered seeking a pastorate, I told God, “anywhere but further north.” Just a word of advice to those who are listening, don't tell God where you won't go!! These are my confessions, my stories. They are stories of the Provision and the Providence of God, and his wonderful gifts.
I believe that this is part of what Paul had in mind when he wrote,
The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. (Romans 10:8-10 – NRSV)
This is not just a simple rote phrase to be repeated or to verify true believers. Rather these confessional stories remind us of our position to the God we serve, his faithfulness and his abundant gifts.
All of us have these confessional stories. Some of them go back many, many years. And some of them are from our ancestors and friends who are no longer with us. Beth's dad, Herb, along with Evelyn, wrote in their memoirs about coming to County Line.
[I read from their memoirs]
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
We're All In Our Places With Bright Shiny Faces
We're All In Our Places With Bright Shiny Faces
Or
Glowing Like a Supernova
Presented at County Line Brethren Church on February 14, 2010.
Year C, Transfiguration Sunday
Scripture passages: Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43
Let's set the stage a little bit, before we jump headlong into the passage about Moses glowing like supernova. In
In the liturgical calendar, today is Transfiguration Sunday. The gospel reading describes the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Moses and Elijah. We are told that Jesus' face turned brilliant white, as he talked with Moses and Elijah. Peter, James and John were witnesses to this manifestation of the Glory of God. This passage naturally reminds us of the time that Moses' face lit up with the Glory of God after coming down off the mountain. Our epistle reading also makes reference to this pivotal event soon after the Exodus. We would do well to examine the Glory of God as experienced by Moses and the million people on walkabout through the desert. My hope is that by looking back at Moses we will discover helpful insights as we try to connect with God today.
In the chapters preceding our Old Testament lesson, we read about Moses being up on the mountain with the Lord receiving instructions and the first set of stone tablets. Moses was there for such a long time that the people thought he was dead. Aaron relented to their pestering and led them in their apostasy – the construction of the golden calf. God was ready to destroy the people forthwith, save for the intercession of Moses. And yet, when Moses came down from the mountain and witnessed the rebellion first hand, he was furious, tossed the stone tablets down, breaking them into pieces. Judgment came in the form of a plague as well as the killing of 3,000 relatives at the hands of the Levites.
Soon thereafter, Moses went back up the mountain to meet with the Lord. This time, Moses was there for 40 days, fasting. “He did not eat bread, and he did not drink water” (34:28). As a side note, I believe this to be a supernatural fast. This is beyond the scope of normal human endurance, notwithstanding the recent account of a survivor found in the rubble of Haiti – after 40 days. Moses' fast was both authorized and sustained by God. During this time, a new set of stone tablets were written upon. Moses was given additional instructions by God. Moses also made a bold request of the Lord God in addition to God's continuing presence, “show me your glory.” This is done almost as if Moses is asking God to sign on the dotted line, confirming that his presence will remain with Moses.
And as the story goes, God moves in front of Moses shielding Moses from seeing God's face. But as God passes, he removes his hand, allowing Moses to see God's back.
This sets the stage for our reading today starting with Moses coming down off the mountain glowing like a supernova. The stiff-necked and sinful Israelites were naturally afraid of this supernatural manifestation of the Glory of God. Moses thereafter veils his face when speaking with the people so as not to frighten them too much. There is a lot of study as well as conjecture about what Moses actually looked like – both with and without the veil. These ideas are very interesting to study, but results in little pertinent applications. What is important to emphasize is that the Glory of God was manifested in the countenance of Moses, which produces fear in the people. The scripture also points out that Moses removes the veil when going in to speak to the Lord at the Tent of Meeting. It seems that when Moses speaks with God, the veil gets in the way.
I would like to identify some key aspects of the Glory of God in the Moses story and make applications for us from two different perspectives. We will first consider Moses as the leader of the people. The application for this perspective will be for the pastors primarily but also, in some sense, all leaders of the church today. The second perspective will be as we look at what we can learn in the Moses experience, the Transfiguration and II Corinthians that is applicable for Christians and the church today.
Let's start with Moses, the leader. Let's be clear at the outset. Moses did not seek out this position. God had to virtually hog-tie him and drag him to Egypt. Being a leader of anything is hard work, let alone being the leader of a million people on the run. There was no election here, nor was there a military coup. God CHOSE Moses as his anointed servant for a specific task. Many of you have been leaders of organizations or had supervisory positions. It is not easy, and the church is no exception. Make no mistake about this. The pastors and leaders of this or any church will not depend on any vote of its members. #1-God chooses the leaders for his people.
The next thing I notice about Moses and his experience of the Glory of God is that this imputation of the Glory of God was a product of a very personal relationship between Moses and God. Sure, they spent 40 days together on the mountain in a supernatural way. But, believe me when I say this, those 40 days were a very small part of the intimate relationship between Moses and God. Moses had already talked to God in a burning bush, stared down Pharaoh several times, and watched his armies drown in the sea, by the power of God. Those 40 days were not some kind of spiritual retreat meant to rejuvenate a troubled marriage or relationship. Moses and God had been speaking together as friends for quite some time. Nevertheless, we would remiss if we did not acknowledge that the 40 days clearly accentuates the intimacy of the relationship between Moses and God. Pastors and leaders of the church are people who live their lives in intimacy with God. #2-Intimacy between a pastor and our Heavenly Father is cherished by both pastor and the congregation.
Next we are compelled to note that Moses is committed to God’s law. Though we recognize that he had clay feet like the rest of us, he is also characterized by his passion for obedience. This is manifested in right behavior. I’m not talking about perfect behavior. I see in Moses a devotion and loyalty to God which is seen by others as righteous living, made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. #3- Pastors and lay leaders in the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
Moving on, throughout the scripture there are two complementary qualities of the priest, prophet, pastor, leader. The first is this vivid and rich intimacy with God that produces a glow on the countenance of the leader for all to see. It is this intimacy with God that defines and directs the servant of the Most High. The second is the devotion to obedience. The third of the complementary qualities of the priest, prophet, pastor, leader is a heart that yearns for justice. This heart for justice is an outgrowth of the intimacy with our Heavenly Father. Intimacy with the Father churns our hearts in favor of the poor, compels us to stand alongside those who have been pushed aside, and befriends those who our society deems unworthy. Intimacy with God, without devotion to justice is a self-serving fantasy. Likewise devotion to justice which does not arise out of an intimacy with God easily becomes dejected, angry and hopeless. #4-Pastors and lay leaders are devoted to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
So, here is a summary of the insights related to Moses as the leader.
#1-God chooses the leaders for his people.
#2-Intimacy between a pastor and our Heavenly Father is cherished by both pastor and the congregation.
#3- Pastors and lay leaders in the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
#4-Pastors and lay leaders are devoted to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
Now let's look at what Paul is teaching us about Christians and the church and its application for us today. We are told elsewhere that Jesus is the manifestation of the Glory of God. Indeed, Paul says it is Jesus that sets aside the veil, revealing the Glory of God to us – even though now it is as if we are looking in a clouded mirror. The remarkable thing is that this same Glory of God which was in Christ Jesus is now in us “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” As Paul says elsewhere, this is a mystery, “Christ in us, the hope of glory!!!” I'm not sure if I am able to adequately help you understand this. But there is a difference between us and Moses, and we have the advantage – really! While the Glory of God was revealed on the face of Moses for a time on the outside, The Glory of God is now being imputed into our very being in greater and greater measure, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Glory of God – Jesus, the Christ is growing in you daily.
It seems that we must acknowledge is that the manifestation of the Glory of God, as we find it in Moses and the Transfiguration, is not typical. While it may be obvious, we would be wise to admit this, if for no other reason than to reject all human attempts to remanufacture this special grace from God. Our face is not likely to glow like Moses' face did. Unfortunately, there are many who would try to conjure up such displays only to resort to the use of veils hiding the truth; which is that the Glory of God is only for God to release – in his time, in his will, and by his majesty. Allow me to be more specific. Be wary and cautious of those who claim to have a special connection to God, or who claim to have a special word from the Lord – as if they have been on the sacred mountain of the Lord with Moses. Be like the Bereans and search the scriptures to test the spirits. So, let us not be quick to seek to stir up this Glory of God. Why would I say that we should be cautious about stirring up this Glory of God? Because this Glory of God has already been revealed and is being imputed within us by the Holy Spirit. It does not need to be manufactured. It is happening in our hearts already! Wow! #1-Jesus has removed the veil, revealing the Glory of God growing in our hearts today.
Next we are to notice that the manifestation of the Glory of God at the Transfiguration is immediately followed by an act of healing and reconciliation. “Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God” (Luke 9:42, 43). In II Corinthians 3, we read, Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness” (vs. 12). We are not timid. We act with courage. Later in chapter 4:1, 2, we read, “Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.”
Let me try to break this down for you. The Glory of God as manifested at the Transfiguration was not a place, as Peter wanted to make it, but the power by which Jesus’ ministry took place. The presence of the Glory of God in Jesus resulted in the healing of the boy and reconciliation with the boy’s father. Likewise, Paul is saying that the Glory of God, which is growing in us by the power of the Holy Spirit is there for the purpose of ministry. It is not something just to make us feel good when we sing a few worship songs. The Glory of God grows as our intimacy with God develops. But as Moses and Jesus understood, this intimacy with God produces at least these 3 things:
#1-Christians and the church have had the veil removed by Jesus which previously hid the Glory of God. This Glory of God and intimacy with God are inseparable. Indeed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, this same Glory of God is growing in us, from glory to glory.
#2-As a result of this intimacy with God and the Glory of God growing in our hearts, Christians and the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
#3- As a result of this intimacy with God and the Glory of God growing in our hearts, Christians and the church are devoted to ministry, that is, to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
So, here again are the earlier conclusions for pastors and lay leaders.
#1-God chooses the leaders for his people.
#2-Intimacy between a pastor and our Heavenly Father is cherished by both pastor and the congregation.
#3- Pastors and lay leaders in the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
#4-Pastors and lay leaders are devoted ministry, that is, to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
Remarkably, our conclusion is essentially the same for pastors, lay leaders, Christians and the church as a whole. I charge you this day, as you seek a pastor to lead you, examine yourselves as well. You are the church. The Glory of God is growing in your hearts. It is your nature to shine in ministry to others.
I see all of you in your bright shining faces, glowing with the Glory of God, ready for ministry.
Or
Glowing Like a Supernova
Presented at County Line Brethren Church on February 14, 2010.
Year C, Transfiguration Sunday
Scripture passages: Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43
Let's set the stage a little bit, before we jump headlong into the passage about Moses glowing like supernova. In
In the liturgical calendar, today is Transfiguration Sunday. The gospel reading describes the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Moses and Elijah. We are told that Jesus' face turned brilliant white, as he talked with Moses and Elijah. Peter, James and John were witnesses to this manifestation of the Glory of God. This passage naturally reminds us of the time that Moses' face lit up with the Glory of God after coming down off the mountain. Our epistle reading also makes reference to this pivotal event soon after the Exodus. We would do well to examine the Glory of God as experienced by Moses and the million people on walkabout through the desert. My hope is that by looking back at Moses we will discover helpful insights as we try to connect with God today.
In the chapters preceding our Old Testament lesson, we read about Moses being up on the mountain with the Lord receiving instructions and the first set of stone tablets. Moses was there for such a long time that the people thought he was dead. Aaron relented to their pestering and led them in their apostasy – the construction of the golden calf. God was ready to destroy the people forthwith, save for the intercession of Moses. And yet, when Moses came down from the mountain and witnessed the rebellion first hand, he was furious, tossed the stone tablets down, breaking them into pieces. Judgment came in the form of a plague as well as the killing of 3,000 relatives at the hands of the Levites.
Soon thereafter, Moses went back up the mountain to meet with the Lord. This time, Moses was there for 40 days, fasting. “He did not eat bread, and he did not drink water” (34:28). As a side note, I believe this to be a supernatural fast. This is beyond the scope of normal human endurance, notwithstanding the recent account of a survivor found in the rubble of Haiti – after 40 days. Moses' fast was both authorized and sustained by God. During this time, a new set of stone tablets were written upon. Moses was given additional instructions by God. Moses also made a bold request of the Lord God in addition to God's continuing presence, “show me your glory.” This is done almost as if Moses is asking God to sign on the dotted line, confirming that his presence will remain with Moses.
And as the story goes, God moves in front of Moses shielding Moses from seeing God's face. But as God passes, he removes his hand, allowing Moses to see God's back.
This sets the stage for our reading today starting with Moses coming down off the mountain glowing like a supernova. The stiff-necked and sinful Israelites were naturally afraid of this supernatural manifestation of the Glory of God. Moses thereafter veils his face when speaking with the people so as not to frighten them too much. There is a lot of study as well as conjecture about what Moses actually looked like – both with and without the veil. These ideas are very interesting to study, but results in little pertinent applications. What is important to emphasize is that the Glory of God was manifested in the countenance of Moses, which produces fear in the people. The scripture also points out that Moses removes the veil when going in to speak to the Lord at the Tent of Meeting. It seems that when Moses speaks with God, the veil gets in the way.
I would like to identify some key aspects of the Glory of God in the Moses story and make applications for us from two different perspectives. We will first consider Moses as the leader of the people. The application for this perspective will be for the pastors primarily but also, in some sense, all leaders of the church today. The second perspective will be as we look at what we can learn in the Moses experience, the Transfiguration and II Corinthians that is applicable for Christians and the church today.
Let's start with Moses, the leader. Let's be clear at the outset. Moses did not seek out this position. God had to virtually hog-tie him and drag him to Egypt. Being a leader of anything is hard work, let alone being the leader of a million people on the run. There was no election here, nor was there a military coup. God CHOSE Moses as his anointed servant for a specific task. Many of you have been leaders of organizations or had supervisory positions. It is not easy, and the church is no exception. Make no mistake about this. The pastors and leaders of this or any church will not depend on any vote of its members. #1-God chooses the leaders for his people.
The next thing I notice about Moses and his experience of the Glory of God is that this imputation of the Glory of God was a product of a very personal relationship between Moses and God. Sure, they spent 40 days together on the mountain in a supernatural way. But, believe me when I say this, those 40 days were a very small part of the intimate relationship between Moses and God. Moses had already talked to God in a burning bush, stared down Pharaoh several times, and watched his armies drown in the sea, by the power of God. Those 40 days were not some kind of spiritual retreat meant to rejuvenate a troubled marriage or relationship. Moses and God had been speaking together as friends for quite some time. Nevertheless, we would remiss if we did not acknowledge that the 40 days clearly accentuates the intimacy of the relationship between Moses and God. Pastors and leaders of the church are people who live their lives in intimacy with God. #2-Intimacy between a pastor and our Heavenly Father is cherished by both pastor and the congregation.
Next we are compelled to note that Moses is committed to God’s law. Though we recognize that he had clay feet like the rest of us, he is also characterized by his passion for obedience. This is manifested in right behavior. I’m not talking about perfect behavior. I see in Moses a devotion and loyalty to God which is seen by others as righteous living, made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. #3- Pastors and lay leaders in the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
Moving on, throughout the scripture there are two complementary qualities of the priest, prophet, pastor, leader. The first is this vivid and rich intimacy with God that produces a glow on the countenance of the leader for all to see. It is this intimacy with God that defines and directs the servant of the Most High. The second is the devotion to obedience. The third of the complementary qualities of the priest, prophet, pastor, leader is a heart that yearns for justice. This heart for justice is an outgrowth of the intimacy with our Heavenly Father. Intimacy with the Father churns our hearts in favor of the poor, compels us to stand alongside those who have been pushed aside, and befriends those who our society deems unworthy. Intimacy with God, without devotion to justice is a self-serving fantasy. Likewise devotion to justice which does not arise out of an intimacy with God easily becomes dejected, angry and hopeless. #4-Pastors and lay leaders are devoted to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
So, here is a summary of the insights related to Moses as the leader.
#1-God chooses the leaders for his people.
#2-Intimacy between a pastor and our Heavenly Father is cherished by both pastor and the congregation.
#3- Pastors and lay leaders in the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
#4-Pastors and lay leaders are devoted to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
Now let's look at what Paul is teaching us about Christians and the church and its application for us today. We are told elsewhere that Jesus is the manifestation of the Glory of God. Indeed, Paul says it is Jesus that sets aside the veil, revealing the Glory of God to us – even though now it is as if we are looking in a clouded mirror. The remarkable thing is that this same Glory of God which was in Christ Jesus is now in us “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” As Paul says elsewhere, this is a mystery, “Christ in us, the hope of glory!!!” I'm not sure if I am able to adequately help you understand this. But there is a difference between us and Moses, and we have the advantage – really! While the Glory of God was revealed on the face of Moses for a time on the outside, The Glory of God is now being imputed into our very being in greater and greater measure, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Glory of God – Jesus, the Christ is growing in you daily.
It seems that we must acknowledge is that the manifestation of the Glory of God, as we find it in Moses and the Transfiguration, is not typical. While it may be obvious, we would be wise to admit this, if for no other reason than to reject all human attempts to remanufacture this special grace from God. Our face is not likely to glow like Moses' face did. Unfortunately, there are many who would try to conjure up such displays only to resort to the use of veils hiding the truth; which is that the Glory of God is only for God to release – in his time, in his will, and by his majesty. Allow me to be more specific. Be wary and cautious of those who claim to have a special connection to God, or who claim to have a special word from the Lord – as if they have been on the sacred mountain of the Lord with Moses. Be like the Bereans and search the scriptures to test the spirits. So, let us not be quick to seek to stir up this Glory of God. Why would I say that we should be cautious about stirring up this Glory of God? Because this Glory of God has already been revealed and is being imputed within us by the Holy Spirit. It does not need to be manufactured. It is happening in our hearts already! Wow! #1-Jesus has removed the veil, revealing the Glory of God growing in our hearts today.
Next we are to notice that the manifestation of the Glory of God at the Transfiguration is immediately followed by an act of healing and reconciliation. “Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God” (Luke 9:42, 43). In II Corinthians 3, we read, Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness” (vs. 12). We are not timid. We act with courage. Later in chapter 4:1, 2, we read, “Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.”
Let me try to break this down for you. The Glory of God as manifested at the Transfiguration was not a place, as Peter wanted to make it, but the power by which Jesus’ ministry took place. The presence of the Glory of God in Jesus resulted in the healing of the boy and reconciliation with the boy’s father. Likewise, Paul is saying that the Glory of God, which is growing in us by the power of the Holy Spirit is there for the purpose of ministry. It is not something just to make us feel good when we sing a few worship songs. The Glory of God grows as our intimacy with God develops. But as Moses and Jesus understood, this intimacy with God produces at least these 3 things:
#1-Christians and the church have had the veil removed by Jesus which previously hid the Glory of God. This Glory of God and intimacy with God are inseparable. Indeed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, this same Glory of God is growing in us, from glory to glory.
#2-As a result of this intimacy with God and the Glory of God growing in our hearts, Christians and the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
#3- As a result of this intimacy with God and the Glory of God growing in our hearts, Christians and the church are devoted to ministry, that is, to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
So, here again are the earlier conclusions for pastors and lay leaders.
#1-God chooses the leaders for his people.
#2-Intimacy between a pastor and our Heavenly Father is cherished by both pastor and the congregation.
#3- Pastors and lay leaders in the church are consumed with pleasing God, as differentiated from people. This is seen in right living.
#4-Pastors and lay leaders are devoted ministry, that is, to justice, empowering the weak, freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry.
Remarkably, our conclusion is essentially the same for pastors, lay leaders, Christians and the church as a whole. I charge you this day, as you seek a pastor to lead you, examine yourselves as well. You are the church. The Glory of God is growing in your hearts. It is your nature to shine in ministry to others.
I see all of you in your bright shining faces, glowing with the Glory of God, ready for ministry.
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