But sitting each day in the shadow of the mountains made me wonder how we can find better ways to continue to connect with and draw inspiration from those brief moments when we have been on the mountain - meditating on the scripture or hymns that remind us of our mountain top experiences, bringing images back with us from our spiritual mountain tops and keeping them in places that call to mind our moments on the mountain. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. 1:19). 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Whoever has ears, let them hear. died on Mt. Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. Questions for further thought: Where and when have you been overwhelmed by a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you on the cross? The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. The people live in the valleys. Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! When the back doors of the church opened, and there. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. That thought even reminds me of a song that was once sung by a group that was known as Blood, Sweat and Tears entitled "Spinning Wheel". Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. Question Origin of mountaintop First recorded in 1585-95; mountain + top 1 Words nearby mountaintop We need to pray with Neil Griffith, Builder of mountains, make me like a mountain, Firm let me stand against the winds of strife; Give me a soul that reaches up to heaven, But plant my feet in needs of human life. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. There, for Peter, the mountain-hearing of the Fathers Majestic-Glory serves as the paradigm for the churchs engagement with the Word of God. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. Here at Mountaintop Worship Center, we spend every Sunday and Wednesday on the mountaintop. So, over the past week I went searching for stories and quotes about Mountain top experiences, and I stumbled on this comment: "The Outing Club is hosting world traveler and Mount Everest Climber, Jeff . -The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the light thereof. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Delivered to your inbox! So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! It was the voice of the Heavenly Father, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. The experience completely mortifiedPeter, James, and Johnuntil Jesus calmed them, and they saw that only Jesus remained. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. For that reason, even people who follow God to the mountaintop will likely find themselves waiting patiently and praying for Gods guidance for their next move. Tag-along Tours run for past customers by the MTE club enable you to travel in your own 4WD vehicle, but with the confidence of knowing you are being looked after. But heaven will be a place of glory! Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. The one time I climbed a mountain of any size, I was amazed at how long I enjoyed spending time just looking at the view in the distance, enjoying the air, and experiencing the warm sun. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. Peter a man who always had something to say when nothing should be said; said: V:33-Jesus, master, it is good for us to be here. How do you respond? A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. Finally, one day he reached the top of his mountain. The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. . I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. And so: Often, 2 Peter 1:16-21 is presented with the idea that Peter contrasts the visual mountain experience with the Word-based experience of heeding the prophetic word more fully confirmed (2 Pet. We experience gratitude most naturally and intensely when a giver (1) unpredictably and (2) at cost to him- or herself (3) transfers to our full possession (4) a benefit that pleases us. Yes it was temporary eclipsed by the cross, but they remember it after the resurrection and they spoke about it for the rest of their lives. These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. But Jesus was not reflecting the glory of God; He was shining out the glory of God from within. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was because in the days ahead they would be discouraged, disillusioned as they saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross. That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Mountain top definition: the top of a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. Mountain top removal means a coal mining operation that will remove an entire coal seam or seams running through the upper fraction of a mountain, ridge, or hill by removing all of the overburden and creating a level plateau with no highwalls remaining instead of restoring to approximate original contour, and is capable of supporting postmining Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! 2. Like the testing of Abraham ( Genesis 22:1-19 ), the receiving of the Ten Commandments ( Exodus 19-20:21) and, of course, the transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-13 ). the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! I'd love to go mountain - climbing. But Jesus came and touched [the disciples], saying, 'Rise, and have no fear' (Matt. We learned this word in school, a caterpillar goes through metamorphosis, that caterpillar wraps a cocoon around itself and goes through the process of change. And appropriately enough, a bright cloud overshadows them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him! As great as Moses and Elijah were, Jesus was and is greater still. And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? They didnt last for years. Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast & Goodbye to Jack Liskey! Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY THAT IT IS. -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. Together they represent the entire O.T. Cable TV and high speed internet. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. Jesus wants them to know that he is the King of glory, and one day he will wear the crown; but the cross would come before the crown. Now, even though Joanis Listen to Your Life conference in Atlanta took place in the suburbs rather than on top of nearby Stone Mountain (which is where, by the way, I proposed to Joani), she still refers to the conference as a mountaintop experience. Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. BRICKS IN THE VALLEY Text: Matthew 17:1 - 9 We all know from the laws of gravity that what goes up must also come down. - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! Everything is tiny and nothing seems to matter when you are that far away from people. Peter said it is good to be here. Jesus deity and glory would be hid; but they knew underneath his humanity, was deity. 1:20). Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Send us feedback. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. Sinai. 2. a large mass or heap; pile. The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! One of the authors of the book, Sharon Swing says, Listening is the art of creating space so God can do His work in the heart of another., This time in Atlanta was a follow-up to similar work I did in Dallas two years ago. Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. Still, nearly a thousand people everyyear train vigorously, pay steep fees, and make the trip to south Asia for the opportunityto enjoy an ultimate mountaintop experience. They saw things they had never seen before, they were aware of things they were never aware of before, they were in the presence of God! My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. 1:19). Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. If you keep striving and climbing you will eventually get on top of it and you will have a life that is helpful to you, profitable to your family and a good influence on your friends. We, of course, visited the ranger station and gift shop at the top, and chatted with one of the rangers about what short hikes we could do while we were at the top and about the recent snowstorm that made the road impassible. In that silence, as I sat on the mountaintop looking at the miles and miles of land stretching out before me, I had what some might call a mountaintop experience.. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. Perhaps they were previously lost, or filled with anger, depression, addiction, confusion. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. Then later, on the top of Mt. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. The Mountaintop Experience. V:31-Which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: Jesus was not alone on the mountain, two famous men from the Old Testament show up. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. We all need spiritual refreshing from the presence of the Lord; we need encouragement that can come only from being in the presence of Jesus. Heaven or Hell! This past week we spent our vacation at the base of the Rocky Mountains and went into the National Park each day to climb this mountain or that mountain - all reasonable morning hikes. The story in our text today is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke and I believe it's the source of the phrase "A Mountain Top Experience. As I rest in the valley and meditate on my mountaintop experiences, please have Your Holy Spirit reveal to me what I need to know.Here in the valley, I will rest and feed on the goodness of Your Word. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? I call them mountain-top experiences! Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. For six days Moses lingered in the cloud of God at the top of the mountain. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. The way to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus is to spend time with him in prayer. The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? We see Him working and moving throughout the lives of the people there, and we come home with a new vigor to live life differently, more passionately. But those were all just moments. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. Would you pray and ask God to give you a mountaintop experience; when he does you will see his glory and worship him, understand his work and trust him, hear his word and obey him. No one deserves worship but Jesus! How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. This reminds me of Church! First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. These three disciples are none as the inner circle; Jesus let them in on things the other disciples didnt get in on. Check out my Recommended Resources list. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. They are solid and unmovable. as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule.