Built Compatible

• Preacher: The Rev. Andrew Van Kirk

• Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

The Transfiguration reveals that human nature is fundamentally "compatible" with God's divine light, demonstrating that we are designed to bear His glory without being destroyed. This assures us that experiencing God's transforming presence is not just a future hope for heaven, but a reality we are built to encounter in our daily lives right now.

Reflection Questions

1. Reflection Questions:

   1. The sermon opens with the story of being caught in a thick, blinding snow cloud where everything outside the immediate present vanished. Have you ever had a spiritual or life experience where the "noise" of your daily routine—your schedule, emails, or worries—suddenly vanished, leaving you intensely focused on the present moment with God? What triggered that experience?

   2. A central point of the sermon is that human nature and divine nature are "compatible" (unlike gas in a diesel engine). How does knowing that you are fundamentally designed to contain and experience God's presence change the way you view your own worth, especially in a culture that often measures worth by professional output or physical aging?

   3. The Transformer toy example was to help explain that Jesus didn't just "switch" between being God and being human; He was fully both at the same time. We often compartmentalize our lives (e.g., "work mode" vs. "church mode"). How does Jesus's integrated nature challenge us to bring our faith fully into our boardrooms, golf courses, and family rooms?

   4. The sermon noted that the Transfiguration (the gift of light and joy) happened before the cross (the suffering). Christianity is not just about deferring joy until the afterlife. Heading into the season of Lent—which often focuses on sacrifice—how can you actively look for and expect to experience the joy and presence of God now, in your current stage of life?