Community Sermon

This semester at Austin Agape, we are thinking intentionally about how we can all be a part of the weekly sermon. We believe that the sermon is not merely the words that are spoken, but the sermon is a moment in our community. In addition to the spoken words, the sermon includes the thoughts, emotions, and actions that come as a result of gathering around scripture. So before worship together this Sunday, we are thinking about this text:

Luke 9:26-38
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

1. What do you notice in this text? Does anything pique your interest?
2. What do you think it has to say to you these days?
3. What does it say to our community?
4. What might Luke be trying to convey about Jesus in this passage?
5. If you were to put yourself in the roles of the disciples, how might you imagine their experience?