Title: Peter‘s Mountain Top Experience Text: 2 Peter 1 2 Peter 1:17-18 (NIV84) 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. By: Pastor Micah Adamson May 21, 2017 2 Peter 1:17-18 (NIV84) Title

Introduction: 1 Peter: Persecution from the outside the church. 2 Peter: False teachers inside the church. To understand 2 Peter 1: We’re going to need to understand the story of Jesus’ transfiguration from Matthew 17, Mark 9, & Luke 9. We’re going to need to understand Moses and Elijah’s mountain top experiences in Exodus 33-34 & 1 Kings 19. First: Moses’s mountain top experience (Exodus 33-34 & Luke 9). Last week: Elijah’s mountain top experience (1 Kings 19 & Matt. 17). Today: Peter’s mountain top experience (2 Peter 1 & Mark 9).

The Transfiguration: Is found in all three of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). Shortly after disciples return from a mission trip when John the Baptist died, and Jesus fed the 5,000. Is the story immediately following Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ (about a week later). Is introduced by a promise from Jesus that some would see the kingdom of God before they die.

Harmonizing Gospel Accounts: The differences between gospel accounts of the same story are complimentary not contradictory. Luke’s details at the Transfiguration draw attention to Moses’ mountain top experience. Matthew and Mark’s details at the Transfiguration draw more attention to Elijah. Since we’ve read the transfiguration story from Matthew 17 and Luke 9 in the last two weeks, I’ve harmonized details from them into Mark 9.

Mark 9:1 (NIV84) 1 And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” [the Son of Man coming in his kingdom]- Matt. 16:28. Jesus is the king of God’s kingdom, but the disciples expected Jesus to come in power on earth now.

Mark 9:2-3 (NIV84) 2 After six days [after Jesus said this] - Luke 9:28, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone [to pray] - Luke 9:28. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. [or His face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.] - Luke 9:29 [or His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.] - Matt. 17:2. Jesus showed His kingdom to His disciples by appearing in the kingly glory He has in heaven.

Mark 9:4 (NIV84) 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses [in glorious splendor] - Luke 9:31, who were talking with Jesus. [They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.] - Luke 9:31 The transfiguration highlights both the humble humanity and the glorious Godhood of Jesus.

Mark 9:5-6 (NIV84) 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, [or Lord] - Matt 17:4, [or Master] - Luke 9:33, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say [or He did not know what he was saying] - Luke 9:33, they were so frightened.) The disciples respected Jesus as their teacher/master, but were talking instead of listening to Him.

Mark 9:7 (NIV84) 7 Then a [bright] - Matt. 17:5 cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love [or have chosen] - Luke 9:35, [with him I am well pleased] - Matt. 17:5, 2 Peter 1:17. Listen to him!” In all three gospels, God’s words start with: “this is my Son” and conclude with: “listen to him”.

Mark 9:8 (NIV84) 8 [When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”] - Matt. 17:6-7 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. The disciples respond in reverent fear to God’s voice and presence. But, Jesus calmed their fear.

Mark 9:9 (NIV84) 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. Peter’s offer to build tents for Moses and Elijah shows that he probably thought Moses and Elijah were back to stay and that the final resurrection was about to happen.

Mark 9:11-13 (NIV84) 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, [and they did not recognize him] - Matt. 17:12, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him. [In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.] - Matt. 17:13 The fact that “the Christ [had] to suffer these things and then enter his glory” was hard to listen to (Luke 24:26, Is. 53). We’re sinners who need a substitute to die in our place. We need to expect a life of weakness and suffering.

The End of the Old Testament The End of the Old Covenant: The last three verses of the OT are a reminder of God’s law given through Moses and a promise that Elijah would come to try to turn Israel back to God before God came to judge Israel (Mal. 4:4-6). John the Baptist offered a final chance for God’s blessing, but they rejected Him and chose the curse instead (Luke 1:17). Now, the only option left was a savior to die in their place to take the curse of the Old Covenant, and rise again to give them new life in a New Covenant.

Intro to 2 Peter 1 Peter’s seeing Jesus’ glory and hearing God’s voice at the transfiguration, mirrors the call of OT prophets like: Isaiah (Isaiah 6) Jeremiah (Jeremiah. 1) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel. 1). The Word of the Lord that Peter was given to speak is even defined at the transfiguration. God told Peter to listen to Jesus. God’s word through Peter consists of everything Jesus told Peter. Peter argues in 2 Peter 1 that he had real revelation about: the real God, the real gospel, and real godliness, which the false teachers didn’t have. In 2 Peter 1, we only have hints by contrast, that the false teachers were preaching cleverly invented stories leading to a different God, a different gospel, and different godliness.

Disclaimer: False teaching is a major theme in 2 Peter Al Mohler, a Baptist, “3 levels of disagreements”: 1: Gospel differences, 2: Denominational differences, 3: Personal differences Michael Brown, a Pentecostal, “3 types of disagreements”: 1. Heresies, 2. Distinctives, 3. Differences Not all disagreements between Christians rise to the level of “false teaching” or “heresy”. But, issues of God and the gospel are matters of first importance worth fighting over.

2 Peter Outline Past Present Future True Christians Past Prophecy (3) Power to be Productive 2 Peter 1:1-11 (2) Precious Promises (1) False Prophets Pretend Prophecy 2 Peter 2:1–22 (4) Their Practices (5) Their Punishment (6) Knowing 2 Peter 3:14-18 (9) Growing (8) Christ’s Coming 2 Peter 3:1–13 (7)

2 Peter 1:1 (NIV84) 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Real revelation: Peter reminds his readers of his role as an apostle sent by Jesus and serving Him. The real God: Jesus is our God and savior. (Peter talks about Father, Son, and Spirit in chapter 1). The real gospel: We have received the same faith through Christ’s righteousness as Peter has.

2 Peter 1:2-4 (NIV84) 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. The real God: God and Jesus our Lord. The real gospel: precious promises of escaping worldly corruption and sharing in God’s goodness. Real godliness: In Jesus, we get in on God’s goodness and avoid the world’s rottenness.

2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV84) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Real revelation: Knowledge is something we need to grow in. Real godliness: 6 of the 9 “fruit of the Spirit” The real gospel: Peter wants us to remember we are forgiven sinners, while we grow in godliness.

2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV84) 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The real God: Our “Lord and Savior” Jesus Christ = OT titles for God (Isaiah 60:16). The real gospel: God’s chosen people will be welcomed into Jesus’ Kingdom. Real godliness: Peter’s description of the Christian life is making sure that we are God’s people.

2 Peter 1:12-15 (NIV84) 12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. The real God: Our “Lord” Jesus “Christ” = Jesus is “God” and “King” (Psalm 110:1). Real revelation: Peter says his readers already know the truth, but he reminds them and refreshes their memory while he is alive and had plans to help them remember even after he died.

2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV84) 16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. The real God: God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ sharing the same glory = Jesus was condemned by the Jews for blasphemy for this confession (Mark 14:61-64, Daniel 7:13-14). Real revelation: Peter was an eyewitness of Jesus’ glory and God’s voice at the transfiguration.

Mark 13:21-23 (NIV84 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Real Revelation: Jesus said to be on our guard to not be deceived by reports of signs and wonders. Peter is restating what Jesus said in the Olivet discourse. Not believing the signs and miracles of false prophets, is NOT a lack of faith in God, it is obedience to Jesus. Our first question must always be if a teacher is teaching a different: God, gospel, or godliness.

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV84) 19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Real revelation: The transfiguration in the NT, confirms the same truth found in the OT.

Conclusion: Peter saw Jesus’ kingly glory at His transfiguration and heard God’s voice tell him to listen to Jesus. So, we need to listen to Jesus’ words through Peter and the apostles in the New Testament. To show that we are God’s chosen people, we need to stick with the real revelation, about the real God, the real gospel, and real godliness from the Bible instead of falling for false teachers.