OceanSide church of Christ




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“It is Good for Us to Be Here”
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction (Lesson Text: Luke 9:28-35)

a.    Peter, James, and John went onto a mountain where Christ was transfigured before them

                                          i.    Moses and Elijah appeared in glory

b.    Peter awoke from his sleep and saw the three of them standing there

                                          i.    He said, “Master it is good for us to be here”

c.    The mount of transfiguration can be compared with our assembling together with the saints

                                          i.    We ought to say, “It is good for us to be here”

                                        ii.    Let’s notice some comparisons together

II.            The Lord is here

a.    Jesus was physically with Peter on the mountain

b.    Jesus is spiritually with us when we worship

                                          i.    The common text used to prove this is Matthew 18:20

1.    “Where two or three are gathered…”

                                        ii.    The context is about two brothers working out sin, not worship

                                       iii.    A better text to prove it is Matthew 26:26-29

1.    Jesus says He will partake of the Lord’s supper with us in the kingdom (church)

2.    No wonder it is called “communion” in 1 Cor 10:16

III.           Faithful brethren are here

a.    Peter was surrounded by faithful brethren

b.    When we come to worship we are surrounded by faithful brethren

                                          i.    Jesus says our brethren are our true family (Matt 12:46-50)

1.    We will live with them for eternity

                                        ii.    We must consider our brethren and provoke them to good works (Heb 10:24-25)

1.    How can we do that if we are not here?

IV.          Fewer distractions are here

a.    In Matthew 17:1 we see that they went up the mountain “apart”

                                          i.    This was a time to separate from the world for a time

b.    We get away from the world when we attend worship services and Bible study

                                          i.    We ought to be refreshed to get away from the sinful world for a moment

                                        ii.    Paul was refreshed to be around brethren (Rom 15:32)

1.    The word means to rest from labors

V.           Jesus is magnified

a.    God said, “This is my beloved son, hear him”

                                          i.    In matters of religion listen to Jesus, not Moses or Elijah

b.    In worship Jesus is magnified and no one else

                                          i.    We listen to Him not Moses (Heb 1:1-2)

                                        ii.    We magnify Him not the preacher, a band, or anyone else

c.    Paul didn’t want to know or magnify anyone but Jesus (1 Cor 2:2)

VI.          Bible heroes come to life

a.    Moses and Elijah appeared before Peter

b.    In the Bible classes, Bible heroes come to life as we learn

                                          i.    These are the real heroes our kids should look to be like

                                        ii.    Instead of sports figures, celebrities, singers, etc

c.    We must look to the prophets of old for our example (Jam 5:10, 1 Cor 10:11)

VII.         Hearts are comforted

a.    In Matthew 17:6-7 we see Peter sore afraid, but Jesus touches him and comforts him

                                          i.    Touch can be a powerful healer

b.    Job tells us that we all deal with trouble (14:1)

                                          i.    Everyone has a heavy heart from time to time

                                        ii.    In worship to God we can cast our care upon Him and know His providential hand of comfort is there (2 Cor 1:3-4)

c.    When Peter looked up afterward his vision has changed (Matt 17:8)

                                          i.    When we leave the building the pain won’t be gone, but our vision will be changed as we remember God is with us

VIII.       Conclusion

a.    Do you truly feel as Peter did when you are at the services with God’s people?

b.    Do you think, “It is good for us to be here?”