DESCENTLuke 9 – Entering the Fray

THE “MOUNTAIN-TOP EXPERIENCE”

[They] went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Then two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see… Luke 9:28-31

Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Luke 9:33

JESUS DESCENDS…

The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. Luke 9:37

So much suffering!

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

JESUS DESCENDS…

A man in the crowd called out to him, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” Luke 9:38-40

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict

The real conflict.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

JESUS DESCENDS…

“You faithless and corrupt people!” Jesus said. “How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Luke 9:41

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict

The real conflict. A great source of

defeat.Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might…stand firm against the schemes of the devil…resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore… Ephesians 6:10-14

JESUS DESCENDS…

“You faithless and corrupt people!” Jesus said. “How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Luke 9:41

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict

The real conflict. A great source of

defeat. They forgot…

And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. Luke 9:1

JESUS DESCENDS…

While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. … Luke 9:42-43

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict

The real conflict. A great source of

defeat. Christians should be

living a victorious spiritual life.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Revelation 12:11

JESUS DESCENDS…

But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." Luke 9:43-44

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict

The real conflict. A great source of

defeat. Christians should be

living a victorious spiritual life.

The reason for the cross.

But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. Luke 9:45

JESUS DESCENDS…

Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.Luke 9:46

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict

Pervasive.

Luke 22:24; Mark 9:34; 10:37-41

JESUS DESCENDS…

Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart…Luke 9:47

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict

Pervasive. Sickness of the

heart.After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Mark 9:33-34

JESUS DESCENDS…

…took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;" Luke 9:47-48

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict

Pervasive. Sickness of the heart. Misunderstanding

God. Project our priorities

on God.

Abot 3:10 reads, "Morning sleep, mid-day wine, chattering with children… destroy a man."

JESUS DESCENDS…

…took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;" Luke 9:47-48

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict

Pervasive. Sickness of the heart. Misunderstanding God. God wants to convert

us.

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

JESUS DESCENDS…

…took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;" Luke 9:47-48

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict

Pervasive. Sickness of the heart. Misunderstanding God. God wants to convert

us.

Children are

Dependent

Flexible

Uncomplicated

JESUS DESCENDS…

John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." Luke 9:49

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts

Bloody Christian History

16 Huguenots Massacred

JESUS DESCENDS…

But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts

Bloody Christian History God’s “beauty of

diversity”There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

JESUS DESCENDS…

But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts

Bloody Christian History God’s “beauty of diversity” Essential vs. non-

essential

Essential

Non-Essentia

l

Same as us

JESUS DESCENDS…

But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts

Bloody Christian History God’s “beauty of diversity” Essential vs. non-

essential

Essential

Non-Essentia

l

Same as us

Critique without condemning.

JESUS DESCENDS…

But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts

Bloody Christian History God’s “beauty of diversity” Essential vs. non-

essential

Essential

Non-Essentia

l

Same as us

Non-Christian Beliefs

Includes“Good Works”

ReligionJesus as God-MessiahSource of

‘Revelation’

JESUS DESCENDS…

But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts

Bloody Christian History God’s “beauty of diversity” Essentials vs. non-essentials. Support our brothers &

sisters!

JESUS DESCENDS…

When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. Luke 9:51-52

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts4. Racial/Ethnic

Conflicts

JESUS DESCENDS…

But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. Luke 9:53

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts4. Racial/Ethnic

Conflicts Tremendous Racial

Hatred!

JESUS DESCENDS…

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" Luke 9:54

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts4. Racial/Ethnic

Conflicts Tremendous Racial

Hatred!

JESUS DESCENDS…

But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."] And they went on to another village. Luke 9:55-56

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts4. Racial/Ethnic

Conflicts Tremendous Racial Hatred! Jesus respects them…

JESUS DESCENDS…

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Matthew 28:19

So much suffering!1. Spiritual Conflict2. Ego Conflict3. Sectarian Conflicts4. Racial/Ethnic

Conflicts Tremendous Racial Hatred! Jesus respects them… Will not ignore them…

JESUS: THE END OF ALL CONFLICTThen a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" Lk. 9:35 the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things

on the earth. Ephesians 1:10

• Resolved through the CrossSpiritual Conflict

• Resolved through Conversion

Ego Conflicts

• Resolved through One BodySectarian Conflicts

• Resolved through Discipleship

Ethnic Conflicts

JESUS PEOPLE! DESCEND!

MOUNTAIN-TOP EXPERIENCES OR PEACE ON EARTH

“Lets make a shrine!” (Lk. 9:34)

“On earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Lk 2:14

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