SermonTransforming into Children of God
An all-creatures Bible Message

Transforming into Children of God

A Sermon Delivered to
The Compassion Internet Church

23 February 2020

Frank L. Hoffman, Pastor

Scripture References

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 99:1-9
Matthew 17:1-9

Transforming into children of God is something that we believe should happen when we are born again, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to happen with the vast majority of Christians, for they still live in the corrupt ways of this world with all its violence, pain, suffering, and death.

From everything we have read or learned about Jesus’ teachings, being children of God requires us to be naturally living in the heavenly will of God here on earth as it is in heaven, where there is no pain, suffering, or death.

We also strongly believe that unless we are children of God, we will have no place in heaven.

Let’s take a look at Exodus 24:12-18 and see whether we can see anything that relates to us being children of God.

12. Now the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction."

We should take notice that the Lord doesn’t include Moses with the people needing the law.

Why is this?

We believe that it’s because the Lord considers Moses to be one of His children who doesn’t need the written law, because he is already living it.

13. So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

From what we are told, the Lord said nothing to Moses about anyone else, yet he seems to be including Joshua to be worthy of coming up the mountain with him, or did he, because we are not being told that Joshua actually went up on the mountain with Moses.

14. But to the elders he said, "Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach them."

Even though the elders are leaders of the Jewish people they have to stay behind.

Is it because Moses and the Lord see something in their lives that indicates that they are not fully committed to living in the heavenly will of God here on earth as it is in heaven?

For even most of our religious leaders of today still seem to be living in the corrupt ways of this world, which is primarily visible on their plates for they contain the tortured remains of once living beings who wanted to live just as much as we do.

15. Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.

Again, we are only told that Moses went up to the mountain and cloud.

16. And the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud.

The way these verses are written, it appears that Moses went up on the mountain and waited for another six days until the Lord called to him from the midst of the cloud.

17. And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.

A consuming fire is one that burns everything up, including anyone who would dare to enter it.

Was this to put fear into the hearts of the people?

We believe so.

18. And Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
NASB

However, Moses entered the cloud because he trusted the Lord, just as we all should.

Since Moses was on the mountain for forty days, this means that he was in the cloud for 33 or 34 days, because he waited on the mountain before this for 7 days until the Lord called him.

The consuming fire of the Lord that the people saw was the kind of spiritual fire that burns up the sins in our lives, and since the people recognize the sins in their own lives, it instills fear in them.

This should also be a reminder to us that we need to repent of our sins before we enter the presence of the Lord, which is the only way it is possible to be transforming into children of God.

As we look at Psalm 99:1-9, let’s think about who this psalm addresses: the children of God, or the people of the world.

1. The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble;
He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!

The children of God certainly know that the Lord reigns, then why would they tremble?

Certainly most of the people of this world would tremble at the presence of the Lord, and we believe that this is the way the Lord wants them to feel, because it just might cause them to repent, and to be changing into the children of God.

2. The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.

We believe that most children of God know this in their heart and soul, and praise and thank the Lord for being our Savior.

3. Let them praise Thy great and awesome name;
Holy is He.

Unfortunately, most of the people of this world think that this is foolishness and a waste of time, so they continue in their worldly ways.

4. And the strength of the King loves justice;
Thou hast established equity;
Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

And this hopefully is what changed Jacob (a deceiver) into Israel (one who wrestles with God) over what He wants us to do to be transforming into children of God.

5. Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at His footstool;
Holy is He.

This is what all people should be doing; it should be part of our nature; it is an attitude that the world doesn’t understand.

The world always seems to be seeking more, but the children of God are thankful for what they have, and delight in, and thank the Lord for everything else they receive.

6. Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called on His name;
They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.

The Bible tells us that all of this happened, but today, we don’t see the major miracles that occurred in Bible times, but there are small miracles happening all the time if we have the eyes to see them.

7. He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
They kept His testimonies,
And the statute that He gave them.

They didn’t all keep His commandments, and that is why the wrath of God came upon them.

Just think about the first commandment to eat only plant foods; instead most of the people of this world eat animals that hardens their own hearts, but also causes immense pain and suffering and further corrupts God’s creation.

8. O LORD our God, Thou didst answer them;
Thou wast a forgiving God to them,
And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

God certainly has forgiven individuals and nations from the time of Adam and Eve, but He has also let unrepentant people suffer in the sins of their own making, and a lot of times even the righteous people get caught up in worldly corruption, such as with the effects of global warming.

But we who know the truth…

9. Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at His holy hill;
For holy is the LORD our God.
NASB

This is what we believe the Lord meant when He said blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Now let’s take a look at Matthew 17:1-9, which describes Jesus’ pre-resurrection transformation.

1. And six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves.

Jesus is entrusting these three disciples (future apostles) with seeing something heavenly that the others will not see.

2. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

Now, we won’t look like this when we are transforming into children of God, but we must put on the Edenic and heavenly will of God to protect His creation from corruption, and free it from its present corruption.

If we do this, we will also be like a light to the world showing them the difference between the heavenly intent of God and this corruption of this earth that most people have caused.

3. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

These are the miracles that occur in the heavenly realm of the Lord, but if we truly live in the heavenly will of God here on earth as it is in heaven, we too will see many small miracles.

4. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Sometimes it is best to say nothing, particularly in situations like this.

5. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"

6. And when the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were much afraid.

No wonder they were afraid; they weren’t listening to Jesus; they were just reacting in worldly ways.

7. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."

This is all part of God’s grace and mercy.

8. And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus Himself alone.

Because they weren’t listening in the spiritual realm, they missed the blessing of having been in the presence of God.

9. And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."
NASB

This is probably why Jesus entrusted only these three with coming up the mountain with Him.

Today, we need to learn from the teachings of Jesus in our Bibles, and do everything to help free creation from its present corruption, which is speaking out about what God desires of us and living at least a vegan lifestyle.

Amen?

Amen.

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