Focus this Week – The Transfiguration of Jesus

Matthew 17:1-8

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

Have you ever answered the question, why is Jesus supposed to be our primary focus? I mean, what can happen to our social, physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well being when we focus on Jesus? What does that focus look like? Focus on Jesus means what exactly?

These are questions to be answered as you read the devotionals this week. Prayerfully, we will get clarity together as we look at this text on Sunday.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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Sunday Edition

Good morning! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 9am and 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – Matthew 17:1-8
  • Tuesday – Matthew 17:9-13
  • Wednesday – Revelation 1:12-18
  • Thursday – Revelation 21:6-7
  • Friday – 2 Peter 1:16-18

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Follow Me and You Will Feed & Group Guide

John 21:15-19

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

We’ve been reading about Jesus’ disciples this week, how he called ordinary men and used them in his ministry. They were involved in his miracles, had a front seat to his interactions, and a backstage pass to the explanations of his teachings. They didn’t have much to offer but they gave their all and God did a mighty work in and through them and used them to assist in a new covenant and the launching of the early church.

What do Jesus’ invitation and inclusion of the unremarkable into his ministry mean for us as modern-day disciples? In today’s passage, we see that we are not only to follow Jesus but to bring along others to follow him as well. We are not only to eat from his banquet table but help feed others around us as well.    

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading and how God has spoken to you. You can also pull from the questions in each day’s reading and use the HEAR method as a structure for your discussion. If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact jon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s Post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor

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Only Sinners Need Apply

Luke 5:27-32

“After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • How much access do you have to those who don’t know Christ? How much influence do you have with them? 
  • Do you tend to spend more time with your Christian friends or with pre-believers? Where do you think the balance lies? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Nowhere Else to Go

John 6:66-69

“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • How much are you swayed by the faithfulness and participation of others?
  • Where does your faith rank in the priorities of your life?
  • Why is your faith in Christ important to you?  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Involved in Miracles

John 6:5-10

“Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • Are you typically sensitive to the needs of others around you, or oblivious? 
  • Is there a need around you that you are currently burdened about? If so, what is it? 
  • How might Jesus use you to ease that burden?
  • What can you take to Jesus today? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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