First Baptist Church Delray

First Baptist Church Delray

Sermon Application Questions

September 7, 2025

Pastor Steve’s Message: “The Preview”

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36 (ESV)

Review the Exegesis of the Scripture

Read Luke 9:28-29

Now about eight days after these sayings he (Jesus) took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he (Jesus) was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 

1. What preview of the glorified Jesus becomes visible to these leading disciples?

Read Luke 9:30–31

And behold, two men were talking with him (Jesus), Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

2. First of all, how does the mere appearance of these long-gone men encourage us about the afterlife?

3. Looking at the following verses, why might Elijah have been present at this transfiguration? 

a. In I Kings 17, 18, and 19 Elijah had one of the most dramatic ministries: He raised the dead son of widow, stood alone against the corrupt leadership of Israel and their prophets of Baal, and called down fire from heaven. 

b. And he (Elijah) will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. Malachi 4:6 

c. But the angel said to him (Zechariah), “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John… for he will be great before the Lord… And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:13-17 including quotes from Malachi 4:5-6

d. (Jesus said,) “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.” Matthew 11:13-14

e. And the disciples asked him (Jesus), “Then why do the scribes say that the first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:10-13

4. Why might Moses have been present at the transfiguration?

a. The Old Testament is sometimes referred to in the New Testament as the Law and the Prophets. Moses represents the law as the author of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Law. 

b. The presence of Moses and Elijah and the discussion they are having with Jesus portrays the truth that all of biblical history points to what Jesus is about to do.

c. Jesus, Elijah, and Moses are discussing Jesus’ “departure, which was soon to be accomplished at Jerusalem.” The Greek word for “departure” is “Exodus.” When you couple this world with the phrasing that says His departure will be accomplished, we can’t help but believe Luke wants us to see what Jesus is about to do as a new Exodus. 

5. Compare and contrast Moses’ exodus of rescuing the people from the slavery of Egypt (Exodus 6:30 – 14:31) with Jesus’ exodus of rescuing people from the slavery of sin (John 8:34 – 21:25).

6. How is this transfiguration scene proof that Jesus went willingly to the cross and that Jesus is God?

Read Luke 9:32–33

Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 

7. How might Peter have felt, suddenly awakened from deep sleep to this otherworldly but wonderful scene?

8. What was the Jewish tradition of the annual festival called “the Feast of Booths” that Peter may have been thinking of? (see Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16)

9. Also, if Peter thought Jesus’ kingdom was beginning, could he have thought that Moses and Elijah had arrived to help?

Read Luke 9:34–36

As he (Jesus) was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. 

10. What Old Testament manifestations of God in a cloud might the disciples have learned stories about?

a. See Exodus 13 - God was in the pillar of cloud that led the Israelites by day during the exodus to the promised land. 

b. See Exodus 24 - God descended on Mount Sanai in a thick cloud to reveal His glory to Moses and the people signifying His holiness and majesty.

c. See Exodus 40 - The cloud and glory that filled the Tabernacle represented God’s new continual presence dwelling among His people with authority.

d. See Leviticus 16 - God stated that He would appear in the cloud above the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place every year on the Day of Atonement to shield the high priest from the full glory of God’s presence when he sprinkled the blood of a sacrificial bull and goat to temporarily cover the sins of the entire nation and reconcile a holy God with a sinful people.

11. As the mysterious cloud came upon them, what did God make very clear to them about Who Jesus indeed is?

12. How is this similar to what God said aloud for all to hear at Jesus’ baptism in Luke 3:22?

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

13. What did God tell Peter, James, and John to do, very clearly and in His own voice so that they would always remember?

14. Why would it be so critically important that God told them to listen to Jesus?

Make Personal Applications of the Lesson

15. Based on this scripture, why should you listen to Jesus?

16. Is your intention to listen and respond to Jesus as least as well as your Maps app when you’re driving somewhere?

17. What other destinations, desires, or voices besides following Jesus vie for your attention?

18. Do you believe that Jesus is God and He is leading you out of the slavery of sin?

19. What specific experiences of life has Jesus used to reveal enough of Himself to you so that you can follow Him?

a. Unexpected loss

b. Near miss

c. Death of someone close

d. Birth of a child

e. Worship experience

20. What did He use to stop you from ignoring Him so you would reckon with Him? 

21. What or who have merely pretended to save you?

22. What strongholds of sin are you aware that Jesus wants to lead and empower you out of in exodus?

23. Are you adjusting your course and moving forward with Him by faith, or are you being left behind?

24. Are you being careful to guard against your own preconceived notions of what you want Jesus to say?

25. Are you listening for His voice by daily reading your Bible, listening to biblical preaching, praying, and conferring with some mature Christians you trust?

26. What is something you think you may be hearing the voice of God about right now? What is He saying in His Word? In your heart? Through trusted counselors? Will you adjust in obedience even if you don’t fully understand His reasoning or the complete plan?