Wondering About Jesus

© Jane Hulme 2020 Short Talk (SHT192) Oh Wow! Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: Props: SHORT TALK: “Oh Wow!” To develop a sense of awe and wonder in who Jesus really is. This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Jesus, Transfiguration, Glory, Awe, Worship Matthew 17:1-9 Year A – The Sunday next before Lent You need to be able to project some Power Point slides (see Appendix) or alternatively show some pictures that cause people to say, “Wow!” .................................................................................................................. I wonder what things in the world around you make you exclaim: “Oh wow?” • How about a beautiful sunset like this one? (Show picture 1) • or a snowy scene like this? (Show picture 2) What about these awesome northern lights? (Show picture 3) • or these incredible mountains? (Show picture 4) Might you say: “Oh wow?” when you see a new tiny baby? (Show picture 5) • or a beautiful flower in your garden? (Show picture 6) There are many things in our world that are so beautiful, grand or powerful that we cannot help but exclaim: “Oh wow!” One day three of Jesus’ disciples experienced an “Oh wow!” moment. • Jesus had taken them for a walk up a mountain and while He was there, His appearance changed dramatically. The Bible tells us that Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2) The disciples saw Jesus in all of His glory, and it was a massive “Oh wow!” moment for them. © Jane Hulme 2020 2 Up until that point, although Jesus was doing wonderful miracles, the three disciples had seen Jesus as a man. • Now, up the mountain they saw Jesus as He truly was and is; the Son of God, • and it was totally awe-some! Not only did they see Jesus in His glory, but the disciples also heard Father God speaking to them from a bright cloud, • telling them that Jesus was His Son and that they were to listen to Him. As they came down the mountain later that day, they must have been thinking, “Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow!” • We have seen God! They caught a vision that God is beautiful, powerful and righteous. • They experienced how truly awe-some He is. Now you and I worship the same Jesus that the disciples knew all of those years ago, for He is alive and with us today, by His Spirit. • Are we in awe of who Jesus really is? • Are we in awe of our beautiful, powerful and righteous King, • the only One worthy of our worship? Do you think of Jesus and exclaim: “Oh wow?” One day, the Bible tells us that Jesus will return in all of His glory. (Matthew 16:27) • We will all see Him on that day, like the disciples did up on the mountain, • and we will all be bowing down to Him in worship. But until that day comes, let the beautiful things that you see in the world around you that make you go, “Oh wow!” draw you into worshipping the One who made those things, • who is even more “Oh wow!” than we can possibly imagine. © Jane Hulme 2020 3 Picture 1 - Sunset Appendix 4 Picture 2 – Snowy scene Picture 3 – Northern Lights © Jane Hulme 2020 Picture 4 – Mountains Picture 5 – New baby 5 © Jane Hulme 2020 Picture 6 – Flower 6 © Jane Hulme 2020