The Mountain Before The Valley Palm Sunday Messages…. The Mountain Before The Valley Mark 9 : 2 – 9

Those difficult moments. INTRODUCTION “Life” is filled with “peaks” and “valleys.” The excellence that happens in your life, something great, something to celebrate and remember. The troubles of life. Those difficult moments.

When you’re in the “valley,” it’s hard to say, “God is good.” "Peaks" "Valleys" Where are you right now?

for the difficult road ahead. Right before the “valley,” Jesus took them to a mountain, to a high point. Why? … to for the difficult road ahead. STRENGTHEN THEM

MAIN POINTS 1. It Prepares Us For "LENT"

"LENT?" What is For the Christian, it is the period preceding Easter.

When Jesus descends into the valley of the shadow of death… He was rejected He was weak He suffered He died … for the sins of the world.

This mountain-top experience we hear about today prepares us for the valley ahead.

2. It Prepares Us For Our Own "PERSONAL VALLEYS"

As we see Jesus glorified here our own difficult moments. today, it prepares us when we go through our own difficult moments.

There he was transfigured before them.” [TNIV] Mark 9:2…. “After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.” [TNIV]

The word “transfigured” means …. “Jesus’ appearance completely changed.” Jesus revealed His deity!

before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.” Mark 9:4…. “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.” [TNIV] They were talking about Jesus’ future death, resurrection and ascension.

What an amazing high point for those disciples to experience!

6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)” [NIV] Mark 9: 5 – 6…. “5 Rabbi, 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, they were so frightened.)” [NIV]

‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’ ” [NIV] Mark 9: 7…. “A bright cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’ ” [NIV]

the voice of God the Father saying … they should listen to Him. The disciples HEARD the voice of God the Father saying … Jesus really is His Son, He was loved, and that they should listen to Him.

Just as quickly as it began, this moment ended…. CONCLUSION Just as quickly as it began, this moment ended…. Mark 9 : 8…. “Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.” [TNIV]

This was a “high point” for those disciples, a “peak” — they saw …. Christ in all His glory Surrounded by the prophets Acclaimed God the Father

This would help and strengthen the disciples as they continued on with Jesus into the “valley” of the shadow of death.

This also helps us as we go through our own personal “peaks” and “valleys” in life.

climb a mountain to see this. The disciples needed to climb a mountain to see this. Today, God’s Word is your mountain to climb.

Every time you come to church, and when you hear the Word of God, you have climbed the mountain!