引言：不进则退
耶稣知道祂在世上的日子不多了。但门徒的生命依然还有许多软弱和信心不足。若要他们承接天国的托付，他们的生命就必须被提升与扩张。因此，耶稣带着三位门徒上了高山，向他们开启了属灵的奥秘。
今天神也启示要给GK更大的场地。克安通牧师也预言，神要给我们更广的平台。所以，让我们一同回到这章经文理，从耶稣如何提升与扩张门徒的生命中来学习，预备好我们的生命来回应主。
一、属灵视野的提升（V1-13）
1. 亲眼见君王的荣耀（V1-8）
彼得虽在不久前宣称耶稣就是基督，但他、甚至是其余的门徒对基督的真实身份和使命仍然一知半解，甚至误解。因此，耶稣登山变象的目的是要提升门徒的属灵视野，将祂属天的荣耀显现出来，让门徒更深认识祂就是那位受膏者，是为世人带来救赎与永生盼望的救主。这次显现不但让他们亲眼看见了天国君王的荣耀，更加深他们对基督的认识，也为日后面对试炼和完成使命提供了属天的力量与盼望。
今天的我们是否真的完全认识基督是谁呢？我们对持守神荣耀的同在渴慕吗？
V5当彼得把主与摩西和以利亚当作同等阶级看待时，天父马上介入，表明耶稣是神所喜悦的爱子。并嘱咐门徒要听耶稣的话。当门徒高举摩西和以利亚过于耶稣时，神就马上把他们在云彩中提去。以至于他们举目不见一人，只见耶稣。
当我们把事业、成就、金钱、任何人、事、物高举过于基督，就要预备心，神有可能会让我们在这些方面跌倒。目的是为了不让我们迷失在当中而渐渐步入灭亡。
2. 属灵洞察力的开启（V9-13）
根据旧约圣经，弥赛亚未到之前，以利亚必须先来。其实在太11:7-14时，耶稣已经公开提到施洗约翰预表了旧约中的以利亚，预先来到为弥赛亚预备道路。但门徒似乎没听明白。经历了登山变象之后，门徒的属灵洞察力被主开启了，即使在回答他们的疑问时，主并没有明说是施洗约翰，门徒却明白耶稣所说的是指着施洗的约翰。
求神帮助我们不要让任何世俗追求或关系凌驾于基督之上，以免陷入属灵危机。反之，我们要持续渴慕经历主山上的荣耀，使我们属灵视野与洞察力持续被提升，凌驾于肉眼所能见的之上。更加明白神的心意，辨明祂在我们生命中的作为。
二、属灵身量的扩张（V14-27）
1. 行使天国权柄的信心（V14-20）
耶稣带着门徒下山回到众人中间时，一位父亲因儿子的癫痫病苦苦哀求，门徒却束手无策。但耶稣用祂的权柄驱赶鬼魔，使孩子得痊愈。
主在之前第10章差派门徒出去传福音时，已经赋予他们天国的权柄去行使神迹医治、斥责邪灵。门徒不能医治，并非主所赐的权柄失效，乃因他们的信心跟不上，因此无法有效地运用这天国权柄。属灵生命若是跟不上圣灵的步伐，便会限制属灵权柄的发挥。
主耶稣告诉门徒，信心的力量不在于自己，乃是来自人对神的信靠。即便我们信心只有芥菜种般大小，当我们相信神、主动依靠祂时，在祂绝对没有难成的事。
主接着教导门徒如何在生活中透过禁食祷告来操练对神的信靠，以致我们的信心能被扩张，随时随地都能有效的行使天国的权柄。
2. 接受十架对付的喜乐（V22-23）
门徒因为专注在耶稣要被杀害，而不是复活，所以就大大忧愁。
没有复活盼望的人，会把焦点完全放在今生的指望里。因此容易感到沮丧、迷失方向，甚至失去喜乐和勇气。缺乏复活盼望的人往往也会要逃避十字架的对付。他们的价值观局限于今世的得失，抗拒舍己和牺牲。
求神帮助我们可以欢喜快乐地接受生命被十字架来破碎。经历更深的属灵成长和扩张，为神的国度结出更多的果子，吸引更多人归向基督。
3. 谦卑舍弃当有的权利（V24-27）
耶稣虽有权利不缴税，却为了不使人跌倒而选择顺服国家的政策。祂教导门徒以谦卑和爱心为他人着想，而非坚持自己的权利。属灵生命的成熟表现是能以舍己的心态去祝福他人。
总结：预备好被提升与扩张
•对于神要GK再次建殿的启示与更广的服事平台，这不仅仅是空间上的扩张，更是对弟兄姐妹属灵生命提升与扩张的呼召。
•预备好自己来回应主，使我们的生命与教会都能在祂的国度里成为祂荣耀的见证。
Matthew Chapter 17: Spiritual Growth and Expansion
GK611 Morning Devotion
26/12/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah
Introduction: No Growth Leads to Regression
Jesus knew His days on earth were limited. However, His disciples still showed weakness and lacked faith. For them to take on the responsibilities of the kingdom of heaven, their spiritual lives needed growth and expansion. Therefore, Jesus took three disciples to a high mountain and revealed spiritual mysteries to them.
Today, God reveals a plan to give GK a larger space. Pastor Anton Cruz prophesied that God will provide us with a broader platform. Let us return to this chapter of Scripture to learn from how Jesus uplifted and expanded His disciples’ spiritual lives and prepare ourselves to respond to His call.
1.Uplifting Spiritual Vision (V1-13)
1.1 Beholding the Glory of the King (V1-8)
Although Peter had previously declared Jesus as the Christ, he and the other disciples still did not fully understand Christ’s true identity and mission. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to elevate their spiritual vision by revealing Christ’s heavenly glory, enabling them to recognize Him as the Anointed One—the Savior who brings redemption and the hope of eternal life. This revelation deepened their understanding of Christ, strengthened their faith for future trials, and empowered them to fulfill their mission.
Do we truly know who Christ is today? Do we yearn for His glorious presence?
In verse 5, when Peter equated Jesus with Moses and Elijah, God immediately intervened, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him. When the disciples exalted Moses and Elijah above Jesus, God removed them in the cloud, leaving only Jesus in their view.
If we exalt careers, achievements, wealth, or anything above Christ, we must prepare for God to humble us in these areas to prevent us from straying into destruction.
1.2 Opening Spiritual Insight (V9-13)
According to the Old Testament, Elijah must come before the Messiah. In Matthew 11:7-14, Jesus had already revealed that John the Baptist was a representation of Elijah, preparing the way for the Messiah. However, the disciples did not fully understand this. After witnessing the Transfiguration, their spiritual insight was opened, and they recognized that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.
May God help us to prioritize Christ above worldly pursuits or relationships to avoid spiritual crises. Instead, let us continually desire to experience the glory of the mountain, lifting our spiritual vision and insight beyond what is visible to discern God‘s will and work in our lives.
2.Expanding Spiritual Capacity (V14-27)
2.1 Faith to Exercise Kingdom Authority (V14-20)
When Jesus and His disciples descended from the mountain, they encountered a father pleading for his epileptic son, whom the disciples could not heal. Jesus, however, cast out the demon with His authority, healing the child.
Previously, in chapter 10, Jesus had already given His disciples kingdom authority to perform miracles and cast out demons. Their failure was not due to a lack of authority but a lack of faith. When spiritual growth lags behind the Spirit‘s guidance, it limits the effectiveness of spiritual authority.
Jesus taught the disciples that faith is not about self-reliance but trusting in God. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can achieve the impossible when placed in God. He further instructed them to strengthen their faith through prayer and fasting, enabling them to exercise kingdom authority effectively.
2.2 Embracing the Joy of the Cross (V22-23)
The disciples focused on Jesus’ impending death rather than His resurrection, which caused them great sorrow.
Those without the hope of resurrection fix their attention on earthly aspirations, leading to discouragement and a loss of joy and direction. Such individuals often avoid the challenges of the cross, valuing worldly gains over self-denial and sacrifice.
May God enable us to joyfully embrace the cross, allowing it to break us for deeper spiritual growth and expansion, bearing fruit for His kingdom and drawing others to Christ.
2.3 Humility in Sacrificing Rights (V24-27)
Though Jesus had the right not to pay taxes, He chose to comply to avoid causing offense. He taught His disciples to consider others with humility and love rather than insisting on their own rights.
Spiritual maturity is evident when one adopts a selfless attitude to bless others.
Conclusion: Prepare for Growth and Expansion
God‘s revelation to GK about building another temple and expanding its platform is not just about physical growth but a call for the spiritual growth and expansion of every believer.
Let us prepare ourselves to respond to the Lord, so our lives and church can become glorious testimonies of His kingdom.
