Read Part 1.

"And after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and He was transfigured before them. And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear Him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And as they came down from the mountain, He charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of Man were risen from the dead." Mark 9:2-9

His Raiment
1. Matthew - white as the light (No variance)
2. Mark - shining, exceeding white as snow (Radiance)
3. Luke - white and glistering (Brillance)

Notice that the descriptions intensified from Matthew to Luke. These speak of the power, purity and purpose of the Lord.

1. Suffer for own faults (1 Peter 2:20)
2. Suffer for evil doing (1 Peter 3:17, 4:15)
3. Suffer as a murderer (1 Peter 4:15)
4. Suffer as a thief (1 Peter 4:15)
5. Suffer as a busybody (1 Peter 4:15)

1. Suffer wrongfully, enduring grief (1 Peter 2:19)
2. Suffer for righteousness' sake (1 Peter 3:14)
3. Suffer for well-doing (1 Peter 3:17)
4. Suffer for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:14,16)
5. Suffer according to the Will of God (1 Peter 4:19)
6. Suffer for eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10)

1. Revelation of glory (1 Peter 1:11)
2. Rule to follow (1 Peter 2:21)
3. Righteousness for living (1 Peter 2:23)
4. Reconciliation to God (1 Peter 3:18)
5. Resolve not to sin (1 Peter 4:1)
6. Rejoicing in trials (1 Peter 4:13)
7. Reward for shepherding (1 Peter 5:1)

Chapter 1 : Salvation we Possess - Suffering and Prophecy
Chapter 2 : Spiritual Growth in our Progress - Suffering and Pattern
Chapter 3 : Submission and our Priorities - Suffering and Purpose
Chapter 4 : Suffering and Patience - Suffering and Power
Chapter 5 : Service we Practice - Suffering and Proclamation

Matthew 5-7 - The Kingdom in manifesto
Matthew 8-9 - The Kingdom in the midst
Matthew 13 - The Kingdom in mystery
Matthew 17 - The Kingdom in miniature
Matthew 24-25 - The Kingdom in manifestation

Updated 1 Apr 2010

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Genesis 28:12-15

1. God's Provision - Behold a ladder, from earth up to heaven (John 14:6)
2. God's Protection - Behold the angels of God, from heaven to earth (Hebrews 1:14)
3. God's Person - Behold, the Lord stood above it, the Son of God in heaven (John 1:18)
4. God's Presence - Behold, I am with thee, heaven upon earth (Hebrews 13:5)

"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9

It is not the privilege of three - Peter, James and John
nor the presence of two - Moses and Elijah
but the pre-eminence of One - the Beloved Son
by the proclamation of God, the Father

A. God is Light (Chapter 1-2)
B. God is Love (Chapter 3-4)
C. God is Life (Chapter 5)

A. He is righteous (1 John 2:29), walk in light
B. He is pure (1 John 3:3), walk in love
C. He is the true God (1 John 5:20 DARBY), walk as children of God, possessors of eternal life.

A. The Fellowship in Light
B. The Function of Love
C. The Fullness of Life

"Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever?" 2 Chronicles 20:7

"But thou, Israel, art My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend." Isaiah 41:8

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God." James 2:23

2 Chronicles 20:7 - The region of Abraham's possession - his land
Isaiah 41:8 - The race of Abraham's posterity - his nation
James 2:23 - The righteousness of Abraham's position - his sacrifice

Read Part 1, Part 2.

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." Luke 10:30-35

What it takes for the Good Samaritan to help:
1. His sight
2. His sympathy
3. His steps
4. His supply
5. His strength
6. His seat
7. His schedule
8. His substance
9. His security

"... the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4

This is a significant verse and is quoted thrice in the New Testament
1. Romans 1:17 - The emphasis here is on "the just".
2. Hebrews 10:38 - The emphasis here is on "shall live".
3. Galatians 3:11 - The emphasis here is on "by faith".

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16

Preach
A full Gospel - Christ and nothing less
A plain Gospel - Christ and nothing more
A pure Gospel - Christ and nothing else

Necessity
1. The command above (Mark 16:15)
2. The cry below (Luke 16:27)
3. The call without (Acts 16:9)
4. The compassion within (Acts 17:16)

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8

Speak of it - This book of the law ... out of thy mouth
Study it - thou shalt meditate therein day and night
Submit to it - thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein
Strive after it - then thou shalt make thy way prosperous
Succeed in it - then thou shalt have good success

"This man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." Hebrews 10:12

1. Suffering of Death (Hebrews 2:9, 1 Peter 3:18)
- Condemnation in His sacrifice
- It is vicarious

2. Severity of Blood (Hebrews 9:22)
- Cost of His sacrifice
- It is virtuous

3. Shame of the Cross (Hebrews 12:2)
- Contradiction to His sacrifice
- It is vile

4. Sorrow of the Tree (1 Peter 2:24)
- Curse of His sacrifice
- It is violent

Edited 16 January 2010

Read Part 1.

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." Luke 10:30-35

Attitudes of Men toward Fellow-men
1. Lawless (thieves)
What's mine is mine and what's thine is mine if I can get it.

2. Legalistic (priest and Levite)
What's mine is mine and what's thine is thine if you can keep it.

3. Lawful (inn keeper)
What's thine is thine and what's mine is thine if you can pay for it.

4. Liberal (good Samaritan)
What's thine is thine and what's mine is thine if you need it.

"And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness." Genesis 15:6

This is a significant verse and is quoted thrice in the New Testament
1. Galatians 3:6 - The emphasis here is on "believed".
2. Romans 4:3 - The emphasis here is on "counted".
3. James 2:23 - The emphasis here is on "righteousness".

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35, 38-39

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

The security of a true believer abiding in the Love of Christ and God is illustrated by the fact that he cannot be separated by these things.
1. Tribulation
2. Distress
3. Persecution
4. Famine
5. Nakedness
6. Peril
7. Sword
8. Death
9. Life
10. Angels
11. Principalities
12. Powers
13. Things present
14. Things to come
15. Height
16. Depth
17. Any other creature

The insecurity of a false professor who walks carnally as demonstrated by these works of the flesh that are practised by those who do not inherit the Kingdom of God.
1. Adultery
2. Fornication
3. Uncleanness
4. Lasciviousness
5. Idolatry
6. Witchcraft
7. Hatred
8. Variance
9. Emulations
10. Wrath
11. Strife
12. Seditions
13. Heresies
14. Envyings
15. Murders
16. Drunkenness
17. Revellings
18. Such like

Edited 12 January 2010

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

The Secret of His Exemplary Life - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live
The Sign of His Exchanged Life - yet not I, but Christ liveth in me
The Scope of His Expanding Life - and the life which I now live in the flesh
The Strength of His Exceptional Life - I live by the faith of the Son of God
The Song of His Exultant Life - Who loved me, and gave Himself for me

Thomas Bentley

Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

"Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day .... that ye might know that I am the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 29:4, 6

* Reflection - ye might know
* Perception - eyes to see
* Testimony - ears to hear
* Intuition - heart to perceive

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life;" 1 John 1:1

* Reflection - looked upon
* Perception - hands have handled
* Testimony - heard
* Intuition - seen with our eyes

"And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

Named Witnesses
* Cephas - Friend
* James - Family
* Paul - Foe

Numerous Witnesses
* Twelve - Followers
* Five Hundred - Faithful
* Apostles - Fearless

Witnesses are
- Competent
- Comprehensive
- Conclusive

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." 1 Timothy 6:11

The Examples of
* Noah - righteousness
* Enoch - godliness
* Abraham - faith
* Isaac - love
* Job - patience
* Moses - meekness

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light." Luke 8:16

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." Luke 11:33

1. Put it under a bushel or vessel - Rush of commerce
2. Put it under a bed - Lush of comfort
3. Put it in a secret place - Blush of concealment

Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

The impeccability of Christ can be viewed using this perspective.

* Reflection, He "knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21)
* Perception, He "did no sin" (1 Peter 2:22)
* Intuition, "in Him is no sin" (1 John 3:5)
* Testimony, He is "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15)