King's Table Church Sermons

King's Table Church

Weekly sermons from King's Table Church in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

  1. Astonishing Greatness

    FEB 15

    Astonishing Greatness

    Jesus comes down off the Mountain - after his transcendent glory is revealed in the Transfiguration - and Luke (like the other Synoptics) follows this event with the casting out of a demon from a young boy. The father of this son brings him to Jesus because the evil spirit has long plagued him and done much harm to him. He says that he first brought his son to the disciples, but Luke informs us that the disciples were unable to cast out the demon. This is interesting because Jesus gave his disciples authority and power to preach, heal, and cast out demons at the outset of chapter 9.  Jesus responds to this by lamenting the disbelief of this present generation. It is unclear whether this is specifically directed towards the disciples or if this is a general remark towards the crowd. While Jesus is moved by compassion to heal this boy, Luke seems to include this event here in his account in order to demonstrate Jesus' set apart, preeminent power. While Mark will include a statement on why the disciples cannot perform this act, Luke is unconcerened with the reason. Instead, he is content to make it clear that Jesus can and does where the disciples couldn't and didn't. Luke informed us that Christ would be delivered over to suffer and die, then he gave us an incredible display of Christ's glory. Now, he again gives us a remarkable demonstration of Jesus' power (over the spirits afflicting men and beyond the ability of men to deliver themselves). And concludes with another reminder that the Son of Man will soon be delivered into the hands of men to suffer and die.

    45 min
  2. A Mountain Top Experience

    FEB 8

    A Mountain Top Experience

    If Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah was at all in doubt, those would soon be put to rest by what takes place next. Luke tells us that eight days later, as Jesus was praying, Moses and Elijah appeared beside him in a glorified, dazzling state. And they speak with him regarding his "exodus." Luke refers to this death (or departure) as something which will soon take place in Jerusalem and as an accomplishment. The disciples are overwhelmed by the glory of the moment, and Peter mistakenly offers to build tabernacles for Christ and his two heavenly visitors. To this, the Lord responds through the descending of a thick cloud (often symbolizing God's presence in the OT) from which he speaks affirming the Sonship and the election of Christ. In this event known as The Transfiguration, Luke seems to be making a few points abundantly clear. First, Jesus is NOT merely Elijah or one of the prophets. This has been the hypothesis put forward recently by the crowds. It is clearly not true since Elijah is here standing next ot him, and the voice of God is definitively declaring otherwise. Second, the cross of Christ and the glory of Christ are not at odds with one another. Just as Jesus responded to Peter's Messianic confession with a prediction of his death, so too does this moment of glorious rapture also center around a conversation about his departure. Even now, we are beginning to see that the cross will be the theatre of Christ's glory - not its obstacle. And third, Christ is about to accomplish something profound. The Law and the Prophets literally stand beside him to magnify his glorious exodus. A new exodus which will accomplish for his people what neither the first exodus nor the law and prophets to follow could.

    35 min

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Weekly sermons from King's Table Church in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.