Lessons From The Mountaintop
LESSONS FROM THE MOUNTAINTOP
Tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m., join your Calvary Chapel family for coffee at 6:00 p.m., followed by the service at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Ground Café or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com
), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness), as we continue our journey through the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew (17:1-19:15).
Six days after Jesus asked His disciples the most important question of life, “Who do you say that I am?” (16:15), He chose Peter, James, and John to go with Him to the top of Mount Hermon. When they arrived, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, and the three disciples heard them discussing Jesus’ upcoming death.
In a sudden moment, filled with a mix of fear and awe, Peter blurted out that if Jesus wished, they could build a tabernacle for each of them. Later, when recounting the experience to Mark, Peter explained he said this because he didn’t know what else to say.
Everything Peter, James, and John saw and heard would stay with them forever. Their hearts pounded, adrenaline surged, and their minds raced. What should they do next? Who should they tell? These questions were answered when Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (17:9).
That mountaintop experience and the euphoria of the three quickly evaporated when coming down the mountain; they were met by an angry mob, a frustrated father, and his son, who was demon-possessed. It was a grim reminder that those quiet times alone with the Lord will always be met with spiritual resistance.
Jesus delivered the boy from his demonic bondage, ministered to the distraught father, and taught His disciples a valuable lesson that spiritual warfare is real. They should never go into a fight unprepared, and remember that after every spiritual victory comes spiritual warfare.
In the days that followed, there were numerous lessons Jesus’ men had to learn—everything from the importance of childlike faith to forgiving those who had wronged them.
The men learned that when they put their complete trust in Jesus, they would always be willing to show mercy to those who were undeserving, even to the point of releasing them from their debt.
As the disciples pondered what Jesus had said, they saw the Pharisees approach Him once again to test Him. This time, they wanted Jesus to give His opinion on which Rabbi they should follow regarding marriage and divorce. Jesus quickly and clearly provided the Pharisees with a detailed explanation of biblical principles when He told them that marriage didn’t originate during Moses’ time.
Marriage was established by God and was defined and explained to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, they weren’t going back far enough in biblical history in attempting to understand marriage.
Jesus’ schooling with the Pharisees provides a blueprint for His followers from that day until now. It also highlights why today’s church should make studying the Bible its top priority. With countless opinions on life and eternity, only God's Word remains the objective source of truth.
I’m excited to continue this journey with you through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, trusting that none of us will remain the same as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the entire Calvary Chapel family.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m., join your Calvary Chapel family for coffee at 6:00 p.m., followed by the service at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Ground Café or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com
Six days after Jesus asked His disciples the most important question of life, “Who do you say that I am?” (16:15), He chose Peter, James, and John to go with Him to the top of Mount Hermon. When they arrived, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, and the three disciples heard them discussing Jesus’ upcoming death.
In a sudden moment, filled with a mix of fear and awe, Peter blurted out that if Jesus wished, they could build a tabernacle for each of them. Later, when recounting the experience to Mark, Peter explained he said this because he didn’t know what else to say.
Everything Peter, James, and John saw and heard would stay with them forever. Their hearts pounded, adrenaline surged, and their minds raced. What should they do next? Who should they tell? These questions were answered when Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (17:9).
That mountaintop experience and the euphoria of the three quickly evaporated when coming down the mountain; they were met by an angry mob, a frustrated father, and his son, who was demon-possessed. It was a grim reminder that those quiet times alone with the Lord will always be met with spiritual resistance.
Jesus delivered the boy from his demonic bondage, ministered to the distraught father, and taught His disciples a valuable lesson that spiritual warfare is real. They should never go into a fight unprepared, and remember that after every spiritual victory comes spiritual warfare.
In the days that followed, there were numerous lessons Jesus’ men had to learn—everything from the importance of childlike faith to forgiving those who had wronged them.
The men learned that when they put their complete trust in Jesus, they would always be willing to show mercy to those who were undeserving, even to the point of releasing them from their debt.
As the disciples pondered what Jesus had said, they saw the Pharisees approach Him once again to test Him. This time, they wanted Jesus to give His opinion on which Rabbi they should follow regarding marriage and divorce. Jesus quickly and clearly provided the Pharisees with a detailed explanation of biblical principles when He told them that marriage didn’t originate during Moses’ time.
Marriage was established by God and was defined and explained to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, they weren’t going back far enough in biblical history in attempting to understand marriage.
Jesus’ schooling with the Pharisees provides a blueprint for His followers from that day until now. It also highlights why today’s church should make studying the Bible its top priority. With countless opinions on life and eternity, only God's Word remains the objective source of truth.
I’m excited to continue this journey with you through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, trusting that none of us will remain the same as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the entire Calvary Chapel family.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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