Verse 1
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It's likely that the apostle John's physical body is preserved. It did not decay, and it will not, until Christ returns (John 21:20-22). This is for reasons that we do not yet know, but Revelation 10:11 provides a hint.
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We can also conclude that some of those that were with Jesus then, will be here again during that time that Christ is to return.
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Believe that all things are possible, and don't be unnerved by words like these.
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Verses 2-8
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What an astounding sight to see—Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus! It seems that Elijah and Moses needed to know something about Jesus, which He was sharing with them.
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Verse 2. Notice that only Peter, James, and John were allowed to witness this transfiguration of Jesus. These three were more prominent leaders in the early church, and for this reason they had to receive special training.
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Understand that not everyone is granted the same experiences with God. Some people will get to experience more, but not because they're any better...only because what they're given is necessary for what you are appointed to do. Be thankful for the experiences that God has given you, and trust that He will grant to you whatever else is needed for His will for your life.
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But Peter, in a state of fearful awe, felt compelled to speak or do something, but when God spoke, He only wanted them to listen to Jesus!
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The best thing that we can do to worship God and honor Jesus is not to built tents or monuments, nor should we just say anything spiritual that we can come up with. The best action, every time, is to focus on listening to God's Word and obeying it.
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More details in Matthew 17.
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Verses 9-10
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They could not share the experience until after Christ's resurrection.
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We know that Peter shared this experience later (2 Peter 1:16-19). The experience was meant, in part, to give evidence to the disciples of Jesus' deity as the Son of God.
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The twelve apostles were eye-witnesses of Jesus as both God and Christ. They had confidence that Jesus was all that He said He was. You also have this confidence! You can trust the eye-witness testimony of the apostles!
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Verses 11-13
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The scribes misunderstood the meaning of the Scripture saying that Elijah must come first.
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The true meaning was that John the Baptist would come “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).
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Verses 14-19
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Jesus expected His disciples to be able to handle demons like this.
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Notice that their inability, Jesus said, was due to the fact that they were a faithless generation.
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We need to take responsibility for our own faith, or lack thereof, if we're going to grow to be able to handle greater works.
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Verses 20-24
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Verses 20-22. Know that demons can cause convulsions, foaming at the mouth, and can physically move or throw people (unbelievers).
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This boy was experiencing a high level of demonic possession.
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The father even questioned if Jesus was able to do anything. He noted that His disciples could not help the boy (and they represented Jesus [verse 17]), and this might be what caused him to question whether Jesus could do anything either.
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Understand that when Christians cannot help people, it can cause some to doubt Christ Himself. You represent Christ, so grow in doing His works!
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Verses 23-24. But Jesus reminded the boy's father that he needed to have his own faith. Jesus' ability was out of the question. He is able to do anything. What matters is whether we will believe or not.
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Remember that God's ability is never the problem. Our unbelief is what causes problems. Pray for faith, and work on strengthening your faith! If we can believe, all things are possible!
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Verse 21 & 25. Jesus asked an intelligent question here, and cast out the demon for more reasons that just to help the boy and his father.
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Verse 21. Asking how long a person has been demon possessed can reveal how weak the person's body is (from the abuse of the demon), and therefore how close they are to death. If their body is weak, it's better to cast the demon out, in order to keep them alive.
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Verse 25. If people are seeing a demon manifest in public, and people are coming together, watching, it is better to rebuke / cast out the demon immediately, to avoid further disturbance.
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Verses 25-27
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Some demons have to be cast out with more specific words.
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Notice in this case that Jesus named the demon and even added, in His command, that it “enter him no more.”
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Many works require specific instructions from God, in order to be successful. Keep this in mind, and don't think that miracles happen through one formula.
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Verses 28-29
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Understand that prayer and fasting bring greater power in the Spirit, allowing a person to deal with greater works of the enemy.
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Make a regular practice of prayer and fasting. There are things that simply will not be able to be accomplished without prayer and fasting.
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Verses 30-32
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Some things Jesus said knowing that His disciples would not understand. This is for a purpose.
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See teaching on Luke 18 for more details.
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Verses 33-37
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Rather than discussing how we can be great in the kingdom of God, we should be thinking about how we can serve selflessly.
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Greatness in God's eyes can be as simple as caring for a little child. Don't neglect serving in the small things that make a big difference!
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But if you're ambitious and only look for what you see at big, spiritual opportunities, you will be small in the kingdom.
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Verses 38-41
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Remember that people who believe and are doing works for the God's kingdom are on your team, even if they don't go to the same church as you or don't worship exactly the way that you do.
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Don't divide over small differences.
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Even someone who does something as simple as giving water to another believer, when he/she is thirsty, is acknowledged by God!
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Be happy about those around the world who are following Jesus! It's not about growing your church. It's about growing His church!
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Verses 42-48
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Verse 42. You can know how much God values children because of how greatly it grieves Him when someone causes a child to fall into sin.
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Our sins damage others, and could damage children also! Be careful to avoid sin!
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Verses 43-48. Be so serious about repenting from sin that you'd even lose a limb for it. Be ready to cut off any part of your life that causes sin.
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Hell is far worse than any physical loss that a person might experience here, so avoiding it is worth any sacrifice.
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A person's eye or hand does not cause them to sin (an evil heart causes sin [Matthew 15:18-19]), so we do not actually need to cut off any limbs. But even if you did have to cut off your hand, Jesus implores, you should be willing to do so.
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We should be extremely serious about repenting and we should not concern ourselves with any pain or discomfort that might be associated with that repentance.
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Verses 49-50
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Know that, although the eternal fires of hell are avoided by belief in Christ, every believer will still have to go through a cleansing burn on the day of their judgment, which is after death (Hebrews 9:27). This is for our benefit. It will sting, but it is necessary.
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We are living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1), and as every animal sacrifice in the Old Testament had to be salted (Leviticus 2:13), all believers will have to be salted with fire.
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This cleansing fire is part of what will prepare the soul and body to inherit eternal life.
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Jesus also references this in Luke 12:47-48. We, as believers, will have to be purified with fire before entering the kingdom, and we will be corrected for certain actions on earth. This happens through a cleansing by fire that will sting (like “stripes”).
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Also, when Christ returns to earth, He will purify with fire (Psalm 50:3-6, Malachi 3:2-3, Daniel 12:9-10, Matthew 3:11-12).
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See teaching on Luke 12, 1 Corinthians 3, and 2 Corinthians 5 for more details.
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