WHY ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO JESUS?- MATHEW 17

BIBLE STUDY SUMMARY

1.)The Transfiguration – Verse 1-13

2.)Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy – Verse 14-21

3.)Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time – Verse 22-23

4.)The Temple Tax – Verse 24-27

LESSONS FROM THE CHAPTER

So let me my point by asking some questions. Can a Christian do what they want and still be called a Christian?

Can we follow our own desires and still be a disciple of Jesus?

Let me ask this another way.

Does someone have authority over us or not?

Too often we want to be the ultimate authority over our lives. But the message of Jesus’ transformation is that we need to listen to him. His glory has been revealed proving that he is the Sovereign Lord who rules over all creation. We do not listen to ourselves. We listen to him.

But let me look at this another way. Do we listen to some of what Jesus says or all of what Jesus says?

Does the Father say, “This is his beloved Son. Listen to the things you agree with?”

Listen to what he says that makes sense to you.

Listen to what you like.

Listen to what he says that works for you.

There is one point that God wants his disciples to understand from this moment on the mountain. Jesus has the authority that we must listen to and obey. We look to the word of God so that we can listen to him.

I want to make my point from the context. What did the disciples struggle believing six days earlier? They could not believe that Jesus would go to Jerusalem, suffering many things, be killed and raised from the dead. Jesus had a very important message at this moment. To follow Jesus, you must deny yourself and take up your cross. What does the Father say from heaven? Listen to Jesus. Listen to him. You must deny yourself to follow him. You must carry a cross to follow him. You are not the authority in your life. Jesus is your Lord and Savior. Jesus is your authority.

The context shows that this is the message. Look at Matthew 17:9-13. Elijah already came but they did not recognize him and did whatever they wanted to him. John the Baptist came as the prophesied Elijah and he was killed. John denied himself and took up his cross. Look at the rest of verse 12. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands. Jesus is going to deny himself and be killed. Listen to him. To follow Jesus then you must deny yourself. Listen to him. Jesus says he will return and reward those who follow him. Listen to him. Do we need authority for our lives? Yes, and our authority is Jesus. Listen to him.

What are you not listening to him in your life?

What are you rejecting that he has told you to do?

What are you ignoring that you know he has called you to do?

What do you need to stop doing because you know Jesus has said to stop?

What do you need to change in your life to follow Jesus?

Please listen to him.

Peter says that they saw his glory. They saw his majesty. What is keeping you from listening to him? What is keeping you from enjoying eternal life that Jesus has promised? Jesus is your authority for life. Listen to him.

Thank you for Reading!