August 24, 2025
Metamorphosis
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 9:1-13
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Following Jesus means glimpsing His glory now so we can endure the road of suffering until His return.

1. Jesus Gives Us a Glimpse of His Kingdom Power

2. Jesus Is Confirmed by the Father’s Voice

3. Jesus Prepares Us for the Path of the Cross

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I commit to listen to Jesus’ voice and follow Him daily.
• I choose to rely on the glory of God’s presence through the valleys of life.

Deep Dive

1. What does John the Baptist’s ministry teach us about preparing for and enduring suffering? (Mark 9:12–13; Matt 17:13)
2. How have “mountaintop moments” in your life strengthened you for seasons of hardship?
3. What are practical ways our church can model listening to Jesus’ voice in a noisy world?

Springboards

1. Read Mark 9:14-29; Why do you think Jesus rebuked the “faithless generation” rather than just the disciples?
2. Read John 15:5. How does this passage deepen our understanding of the disciples’ failure in Mark 9?
3. What does “I believe; help my unbelief” teach us about the nature of genuine faith?