Coming down from a spiritual high

The party’s not over, part 3 of 3

I. When it doesn’t get better than this

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter James and John the brother of James and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus,‘ Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”(Matthew 17:1–4, NIV)

II. The inevitable landing after a high

“While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, whom I love; with Him I am well- pleased. Listen to Him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ He said. ‘*Don’t be afraid*.’… they [came] down the mountain…” (Matthew 17:5–9a, NIV)

III. Landing smoothly after a big high

Hold a heavenly perspective

“ Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend time worrying about things down here.” (Colossians 3:2, LB)

Maintaining a “heavenly high”

1. Mature a holy inner-desire that is edifying.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God… Away then with sinful, earthly things; deaden the evil desires lurking within you*… You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and *trying constantly to be more like Christ who created this new life in you.” (Colossians 3:1,5,10, NIV & LB)

2. Maximize a upward attitude that is expectant.

“ Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4, NIV)

3. Maintain a visionary focus that is eternal.

“Therefore we do not lose heart… For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18, NIV)

“Their destiny is destruction… Their mind is on earthly things. *But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:19a–20, NIV)