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Calvary Assembly of God
Holy Ground: The Danger of Staying Put
October Sermon Series
Locations & Times
Calvary Assembly of God
1905 N Miles St, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, USA
Sunday 9:30 AM
“The world is charged with the grandeur of God…” But if we’re busy and distracted, we miss it.
This is the first danger: We were on holy ground and never knew it.
This is the first danger: We were on holy ground and never knew it.
A second danger: we’re on holy ground and we don’t want to leave it.
In this instance, holy ground represents a place where we experience the power of God’s presence.
The problem: you can’t establish a permanent residence at those spiritually-charged, holy ground moments.
In this instance, holy ground represents a place where we experience the power of God’s presence.
The problem: you can’t establish a permanent residence at those spiritually-charged, holy ground moments.
Another holy ground moment occurred on the Mount of Transfiguration. What events led to this...? (Hint: Check out Matthew 16 to establish context!)
Jesus’ announcement about His death and resurrection distressed the disciples. Over the next week or so, this was all they could talk about. "What did Jesus mean? How can He die? Isn’t He the Messiah?”
Jesus then took three of his friends up a mountain...
Jesus then took three of his friends up a mountain...
First, why did Jesus go up on a mountain…?
Holy ground is A CALL TO SOLITUDE.
“…Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone”(Matt. 17:1).
Holy ground is A CALL TO SOLITUDE.
“…Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone”(Matt. 17:1).
Luke tells us that Jesus “often withdrew to the wilderness to pray” (Luke 5:16).
Here’s the problem: We don’t like solitude.
Why do we resist this essential spiritual discipline?
Why do we resist this essential spiritual discipline?
Is our aversion to solitude the reason why we believe that most modern Holy Ground experiences occur in corporate settings?
But what about His companions? Jesus wasn’t really alone. He took Peter, James, and John up the mountain.
Jesus selected these three friends as witnesses to, but not active participants in, this event.
Jesus selected these three friends as witnesses to, but not active participants in, this event.
Jesus modeled solitude for connection with God, clarity, discernment, and strength. If He needed time alone, how much MORE do we solitude?
Holy ground is THE CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATION.
“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light” (Matt. 17:2).
What’s the significance of this moment?
“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light” (Matt. 17:2).
What’s the significance of this moment?
It may have also been the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that some of the disciples would see Him coming in the kingdom before they died (Matt. 16:28).
This Holy Ground moment would strengthen the faith of the disciples. Look at Peter and John's testimony…
This Holy Ground moment would strengthen the faith of the disciples. Look at Peter and John's testimony…
What are the implications of this for you and me?
What if Jesus wants to SHARE HIS GLORY with us? (See John 17:22, 24)
What if Jesus wants to SHARE HIS GLORY with us? (See John 17:22, 24)
God wants to transform our lives. Holy Ground can be the catalyst for these changes to happen.
Holy ground is PREPARATION FOR WHAT'S NEXT.
"…Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus" (Matt. 17:3).
“The presence of Moses and Elijah was significant. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets. All of the law and prophets point to Christ and are fulfilled in Christ (Luke 24:27; Heb. 1:1). Not one word of the Old Testament Scriptures will be unfulfilled.” - Warren Wiersbe, Be Loyal
"…Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus" (Matt. 17:3).
“The presence of Moses and Elijah was significant. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets. All of the law and prophets point to Christ and are fulfilled in Christ (Luke 24:27; Heb. 1:1). Not one word of the Old Testament Scriptures will be unfulfilled.” - Warren Wiersbe, Be Loyal
How does what happened with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration parallel what happened on Mt. Sinai with Moses?
Why is the use of the term "exodus" to describe Jesus' death unique? How does it parallel Israel's exodus from Egypt?
Moses and Elijah met Jesus there to encourage Him. They were also there as supernatural witnesses confirming Jesus’ identity and authority for the three disciples.
Jesus knew what was next, but Peter struggled with the announcement of death and resurrection. Peter wanted to build three structures, so they could all remain there and enjoy the glory.
“Only Jesus…” Moses and Elijah were important figures in Israel’s covenant history with God. But God’s voice confirms that Jesus is preeminent - “surpassing all others.”
Jesus knew that moment on the mountain was preparation for what was to come and He would not be distracted or detoured from what God called Him to do.
Jesus was not done. There was work to do and a cross to bear. He knew that staying on the mountain of glory was not an option; especially when there was still so much to do in the valley of need.
We desperately need Holy Ground encounters, but we can’t stay there. There is work to be done and a cross to bear.
One response today: “Give up your own way - give up your life for Jesus.”
Give up your way. A necessary surrender. That’s true for every saint and every sinner in the room today.
Giving up your way means trusting Jesus - trusting HIS way.
Give up your way. A necessary surrender. That’s true for every saint and every sinner in the room today.
Giving up your way means trusting Jesus - trusting HIS way.
PRAYER: Jesus, I want to follow You. I’ve pursued my way because I believed that my way was better than Yours. I don’t want to live like that any longer.
Forgive my sin. Forgive the sinful, stubborn pursuit of my way.
Thank You, Jesus. I believe You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I believe You died for my sin and You rose again to life - victorious over sin, death, and the grave.
Jesus, please change my life. I will take up my cross and walk with You. Transform me, so that I live more like You. Prepare me for what’s next.
Forgive my sin. Forgive the sinful, stubborn pursuit of my way.
Thank You, Jesus. I believe You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I believe You died for my sin and You rose again to life - victorious over sin, death, and the grave.
Jesus, please change my life. I will take up my cross and walk with You. Transform me, so that I live more like You. Prepare me for what’s next.
Your Holy Ground moments may not occur in the corporate setting, but I encourage you to seek God in solitude.
Pray. Surrender. Ask Him to work in you and transform your heart and mind.
And remember: It’s dangerous to try and stay in that place. God is transforming and preparing you for what’s next!
Pray. Surrender. Ask Him to work in you and transform your heart and mind.
And remember: It’s dangerous to try and stay in that place. God is transforming and preparing you for what’s next!