Pastor Cal Lord's Recent Sermons
"Surviving The Roller Coaster of Life"
Mark 9:2-9 February 22, 2009
Mountaintop experiences! We all need them. As a matter of fact, that’s why many of us come to
church services. We need a boost after a long and difficult week. We need to know that someone
cares. We need some affirmation that despite the difficulties and trials and problems we face, there
is a hope that can buoy us up and carry us through.
Our text today brings us back to the premier mountaintop experience. In Mark 9 verse 2 it says
“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.”
The word “transfigure” means that Jesus’ appearance changed completely. The other gospels tell
us that his face changed. “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world
could bleach them.” Another Gospel writer tells us that Jesus’ clothes became “as bright as a flash
of lightning.” At that moment, Jesus revealed his deity. He was the holy, almighty God, and the
brightness of his appearance revealed this to his disciples.
The text goes on to say “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with
Jesus.” The other Gospels tell us that they were talking about his future death and resurrection and
ascension. These were two of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. These were the heroes
of the faith, together with their Lord and friend.
What an amazing moment that must have been for those disciples. Peter wanted this moment to
last forever. He wanted to set up camp and sit there and live out the rest of his days in the glory of
God’s presence.
But as quick as the moment came, it was gone and Jesus had them walking down the mountain
again. I don’t know about you, but I feel that way about Sunday mornings sometimes. When we
have a great worship service, with some of my favorite songs, and that special sense of fellowship
drawing us together, I hate to leave. Maybe that’s why services used to last almost all day on
Sundays a few generations ago.
The truth is that life takes place not on the mountaintop, but in the valley below. You see I believe
Jesus took those disciples up there so that they would be prepared for the days that would follow.
They saw him radiating the power of God almighty and he wanted them to remember that when
they saw him bruised and bloody and carrying the cross to Golgatha.
The truth is that life is filled with its peaks and valleys. I know I heard someone recently mention
that they felt like they were on a roller coaster of emotions. From the highs of celebrating a new
birth in the family to the lows of sitting with a parent with cancer, this person said they were worn
out and didn’t know how much longer they could go on.
Now the truth is that we like the mountaintop experiences. This week a group of us will be
embarking on a mission trip that could well be one of the high points of our lives. I remember last
year one of our team members said they didn’t want to come back home. For the first time in a
long time they felt they were doing something useful. Their life had meaning. They were doing
what they were meant to do.
I remember thinking that that person’s sentiment sounds a lot like Simon Peter’s words on the
mountain. To sit at the feet of Moses and Elijah and Jesus is the dream of a person of faith. That’s
what life and faith is all about. To be engaged in mission and serving God in the midst of poverty
and depression is our highest calling.
But the truth is, like that day when Jesus and the disciples headed back down that mountain, our
team had to come home. And on Sunday mornings, after we sing edelweiss and hear the organ
postlude, we can linger for coffee, but then it is time to go back out into the world.
You see those mountaintop experiences are wonderful, but we are called to live in the world and
to bring that joy, that peace, that sense of hope to a world that lays in darkness and despair.
A lot of people wonder why Jesus brought the disciples up on that mountain when in the coming
days they would face nothing but disappointment and disillusionment. The answer is simple. That
mountaintop experience gave them what they needed to carry them through the dark valleys that
would follow. You see that is how God works. Life is like a roller coaster. We have these precious
moments when everything seems to turn to gold in our grasp. Nothing can go wrong. Everything is
poised for greatness. If we come into these highs with a sense that these are gifts from god,
reminders of his care, his protection, his love, then we can carry these with us into the depths of
any dark day that may come our way.
Think about the way a roller coaster works. We are carried to the peak and you can feel the
chains or rollers carrying us up. Then you reach the pinnacle and you can see the whole world
below.
On the Superman ride at Six Flags, you can see the River, the edge of town, and the whole
amusement park from the peak. The whole world is within your sight at the peak. And then you
begin the ride down and you can’t see anything except for what is right in front of you. The ride is
over in a flash. What do you remember? We remember the view from the top. So it is God’s plan
for these mountaintop experiences to remind us that God is in control. That he cares about us and
his creation. We are reminded that he has a plan and that we are part of it.
When the disciples went back down from the mountain, they were ready to walk with Jesus
through his last days, through the betrayal and his trial and crucifixion. Yes, they fell away, but
when the news came, that image of the transfigured Lord came to mind to give them hope.
The truth is that this is why we come to worship each week. We catch a glimpse of the risen
Lord and it reminds us that we are loved and blessed no matter what is happening in our world on
any given day. Worship helps us see the whole picture and gives us a glimpse of the eternal.
The truth is that our short term mission trips do the same thing. When you see the people in these
churches we are working with, when you see their faith, when you see their enthusiasm for the
Lord, despite the poverty, the depression the difficult circumstances in which they live, it does
something to the spirit. It lifts you up and affirms the fact that God is good, all the time. I think
that’s why so many of us wanted to stay there. I think that is why so many of us want to go back
year after year.
But the truth is that we are not called to live on the mountain top. We are called to live in the valley
below. Our Bible memory verse reminds us that we are called and sent out into the world to share
the good news. We are called to tell the world what we have seen on the mountaintop. We are sent
out to share the good news and to bring others hope. We are sent forth to tell the world that it isn’t
the temporary circumstances of life that matter, it is the eternal view of God in all his glory that is
most important.
The American evangelist Dwight L. Moody told the story about a Christian woman who was
always bright and cheerful and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of an
illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend
decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman - a person of great wealth. Since
there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second
floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It’s
better higher up." When they arrived at the third floor landing, the remark was made: "Things look
even worse here." Again the reply: "It’s better higher up." Finally they reached the attic level, where
they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart.
Although the room was clean and flowers were on the windowsill, the wealthy visitor could not
contain herself about the stark surroundings and blurted out: "It must be very difficult for you to be
here like this!" Without a moment’s hesitation the shut-in responded: "It will be better higher up."
Right now, she was in a valley, but she was not looking at temporal things. With her eyes of faith
fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment. Where did she
get this strength? This perspective? She had been with Jesus in his Word. She had seen his glory on
the mountain top.
Rick and Mercy Barnes are always quite clear about their hopes for our mission team. They want
us to enjoy the experience, to realize that we are doing God’s work in a special way. Then they
want us to take this experience and bring it back home. They want us to become evangelists and
missionaries right her in Norwich, Griswold, Montville and beyond. They want us to remind people
that God is everywhere and that he loves them. I would say the same is true of our weekly worship
experiences. After we have seen the face of god or felt his touch in worship, we are sent out to
serve him in the neighborhood or community where we work and live the other six days of the
week.
I pray that you and I may be faithful to that call and share it with others who are on the roller
coaster of life. Amen.
Mark 9:2-9 February 22, 2009
Mountaintop experiences! We all need them. As a matter of fact, that’s why many of us come to
church services. We need a boost after a long and difficult week. We need to know that someone
cares. We need some affirmation that despite the difficulties and trials and problems we face, there
is a hope that can buoy us up and carry us through.
Our text today brings us back to the premier mountaintop experience. In Mark 9 verse 2 it says
“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.”
The word “transfigure” means that Jesus’ appearance changed completely. The other gospels tell
us that his face changed. “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world
could bleach them.” Another Gospel writer tells us that Jesus’ clothes became “as bright as a flash
of lightning.” At that moment, Jesus revealed his deity. He was the holy, almighty God, and the
brightness of his appearance revealed this to his disciples.
The text goes on to say “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with
Jesus.” The other Gospels tell us that they were talking about his future death and resurrection and
ascension. These were two of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. These were the heroes
of the faith, together with their Lord and friend.
What an amazing moment that must have been for those disciples. Peter wanted this moment to
last forever. He wanted to set up camp and sit there and live out the rest of his days in the glory of
God’s presence.
But as quick as the moment came, it was gone and Jesus had them walking down the mountain
again. I don’t know about you, but I feel that way about Sunday mornings sometimes. When we
have a great worship service, with some of my favorite songs, and that special sense of fellowship
drawing us together, I hate to leave. Maybe that’s why services used to last almost all day on
Sundays a few generations ago.
The truth is that life takes place not on the mountaintop, but in the valley below. You see I believe
Jesus took those disciples up there so that they would be prepared for the days that would follow.
They saw him radiating the power of God almighty and he wanted them to remember that when
they saw him bruised and bloody and carrying the cross to Golgatha.
The truth is that life is filled with its peaks and valleys. I know I heard someone recently mention
that they felt like they were on a roller coaster of emotions. From the highs of celebrating a new
birth in the family to the lows of sitting with a parent with cancer, this person said they were worn
out and didn’t know how much longer they could go on.
Now the truth is that we like the mountaintop experiences. This week a group of us will be
embarking on a mission trip that could well be one of the high points of our lives. I remember last
year one of our team members said they didn’t want to come back home. For the first time in a
long time they felt they were doing something useful. Their life had meaning. They were doing
what they were meant to do.
I remember thinking that that person’s sentiment sounds a lot like Simon Peter’s words on the
mountain. To sit at the feet of Moses and Elijah and Jesus is the dream of a person of faith. That’s
what life and faith is all about. To be engaged in mission and serving God in the midst of poverty
and depression is our highest calling.
But the truth is, like that day when Jesus and the disciples headed back down that mountain, our
team had to come home. And on Sunday mornings, after we sing edelweiss and hear the organ
postlude, we can linger for coffee, but then it is time to go back out into the world.
You see those mountaintop experiences are wonderful, but we are called to live in the world and
to bring that joy, that peace, that sense of hope to a world that lays in darkness and despair.
A lot of people wonder why Jesus brought the disciples up on that mountain when in the coming
days they would face nothing but disappointment and disillusionment. The answer is simple. That
mountaintop experience gave them what they needed to carry them through the dark valleys that
would follow. You see that is how God works. Life is like a roller coaster. We have these precious
moments when everything seems to turn to gold in our grasp. Nothing can go wrong. Everything is
poised for greatness. If we come into these highs with a sense that these are gifts from god,
reminders of his care, his protection, his love, then we can carry these with us into the depths of
any dark day that may come our way.
Think about the way a roller coaster works. We are carried to the peak and you can feel the
chains or rollers carrying us up. Then you reach the pinnacle and you can see the whole world
below.
On the Superman ride at Six Flags, you can see the River, the edge of town, and the whole
amusement park from the peak. The whole world is within your sight at the peak. And then you
begin the ride down and you can’t see anything except for what is right in front of you. The ride is
over in a flash. What do you remember? We remember the view from the top. So it is God’s plan
for these mountaintop experiences to remind us that God is in control. That he cares about us and
his creation. We are reminded that he has a plan and that we are part of it.
When the disciples went back down from the mountain, they were ready to walk with Jesus
through his last days, through the betrayal and his trial and crucifixion. Yes, they fell away, but
when the news came, that image of the transfigured Lord came to mind to give them hope.
The truth is that this is why we come to worship each week. We catch a glimpse of the risen
Lord and it reminds us that we are loved and blessed no matter what is happening in our world on
any given day. Worship helps us see the whole picture and gives us a glimpse of the eternal.
The truth is that our short term mission trips do the same thing. When you see the people in these
churches we are working with, when you see their faith, when you see their enthusiasm for the
Lord, despite the poverty, the depression the difficult circumstances in which they live, it does
something to the spirit. It lifts you up and affirms the fact that God is good, all the time. I think
that’s why so many of us wanted to stay there. I think that is why so many of us want to go back
year after year.
But the truth is that we are not called to live on the mountain top. We are called to live in the valley
below. Our Bible memory verse reminds us that we are called and sent out into the world to share
the good news. We are called to tell the world what we have seen on the mountaintop. We are sent
out to share the good news and to bring others hope. We are sent forth to tell the world that it isn’t
the temporary circumstances of life that matter, it is the eternal view of God in all his glory that is
most important.
The American evangelist Dwight L. Moody told the story about a Christian woman who was
always bright and cheerful and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of an
illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend
decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman - a person of great wealth. Since
there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second
floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It’s
better higher up." When they arrived at the third floor landing, the remark was made: "Things look
even worse here." Again the reply: "It’s better higher up." Finally they reached the attic level, where
they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart.
Although the room was clean and flowers were on the windowsill, the wealthy visitor could not
contain herself about the stark surroundings and blurted out: "It must be very difficult for you to be
here like this!" Without a moment’s hesitation the shut-in responded: "It will be better higher up."
Right now, she was in a valley, but she was not looking at temporal things. With her eyes of faith
fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment. Where did she
get this strength? This perspective? She had been with Jesus in his Word. She had seen his glory on
the mountain top.
Rick and Mercy Barnes are always quite clear about their hopes for our mission team. They want
us to enjoy the experience, to realize that we are doing God’s work in a special way. Then they
want us to take this experience and bring it back home. They want us to become evangelists and
missionaries right her in Norwich, Griswold, Montville and beyond. They want us to remind people
that God is everywhere and that he loves them. I would say the same is true of our weekly worship
experiences. After we have seen the face of god or felt his touch in worship, we are sent out to
serve him in the neighborhood or community where we work and live the other six days of the
week.
I pray that you and I may be faithful to that call and share it with others who are on the roller
coaster of life. Amen.
| Welcome to the First Baptist Church of Norwich 239 West Main Street Norwich, Connecticut Phone: 860-889-0369 |
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