Sinai with Joshua and Owen during our last days in Egypt, watching the sun rise over the vast chains of mountains in the desert there, and experience a diverse and international group of pilgrims praying their unique prayers at the top. And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. 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. If you need it, they have it. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. There we can change the world and share Gods love and faithfulness that is as stolid as the mountains.We come down from the mountaintop because very few people are there. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, Come, lets go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. How do you respond? We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. As for how this takes shape in the coming future, I dont really know and I am okay with that because I am very confident that my job is to be willing and available and He will open and close doors. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. To get on higher ground, to climb above the mundane, and get in the place where the glory of God can touch our lives, and we can see JESUS as He is in glory and power, and hear God speak to our hearts. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? The glory cloud was the sign of Gods approval on the work that Jesus Christ had come to do; to die on the cross as a sacrifice for mans sin, and be raised from the dead the third day. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. . 1:17). A time when you just felt like Gods Spirit was all over you, and around you, and joy filled your heart, and you just felt like you were going to bust! And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. They didnt last for years. All rights reserved. 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. Yes it is, it is good to be in the presence of Jesus, it is good to be in good company, Moses, Elijah, James and John. 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. 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. MOUNTAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary All Rights Reserved. about evangelism. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. But dont forget that six days prior, the disciples spent their own time in a theological fog, utterly confused about the proposed suffering and death of Jesus. Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. This reminds me of Church! those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY THAT IT IS. 4WD Driver Training - Mountain-Top Experience There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. Moses was not left unchanged by his time with God. Send us feedback. The problem .read more 2023. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Frankly, I cant imagine being stuck in a dense mountain fog for six days with absolutely nothing to do but look at the fog! These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. In the last days the mountain of the Lords house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. 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. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! 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. Mountain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster 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. there is only one way to be saved and that is through. No wonder Peter fell to his face. Learn a new word every day. I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. Gratitude and the Asbury Revival | Kent Dunnington | First Things I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. Jesus dead on the Cross as the Lamb of God means Exodus, freedom from sins bondage to all who will apply the blood of Jesus to their heart in faith! while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! Barkley spent his final four seasons with the Rockets, but the team's big threecomprised of him, as well as Olajuwon and Clyde Drexlerwas never able to get them back to the NBA, Later that day in February, Ms. Dean visited the, The Tanners handed the Red & Black their first loss of the season and reminded everyone who sits atop the Middlesex, The duo in recent days flew back to Los Angeles from the snowy city of Aspen, Colorado, where they were huddled in deep planning, and now like holy figures coming down from the, The best team in the states largest classification reached the, In the film, Korean detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) is probing the death of a climber who fell from a, Post the Definition of mountaintop to Facebook, Share the Definition of mountaintop on Twitter, The businesss new computer system proved not to be a. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! Here is our startling recognition: the Christian's mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? -In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. 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. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. A review of both the Old and New Testaments makes it clear as daywhen it comes to entering sacred space where you can meet God and/or Jesus face to face, theres no substitute for a mountaintop. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". How to Use the Mountain Top Experience in the Valley Climbing the mountains in Western North Carolina with my former youth from Indiana who made it a tradition to climb together early in the morning and then share affirmations on the mountain top at the end of a Montreat Youth Conference. A Mountain Top Experience - The Odyssey Online The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. b : an elongated ridge 2 a : a great mass a mountain of a man E. K. Brown b : a vast number or quantity a mountain of mail a mountain of debt I love to see goals attained after hard work. The Christian's Mountaintop Experience - Gentle Reformation 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. Sinai. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. to what Jesus says in his word. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. And that moment made such an impression on Peter that years later he would refer to it in one of his New Testament letters as proof positive that that he didnt make up the gospel, but was an eyewitness to the very power and majesty of Jesus that changed his life forever. A Mountain-Top Experience - Faithlife Sermons Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. But our mountaintop moments are not designed by God just to give us warm fuzzies at high altitudesthey are designed to go fill us with the Spirit of God that we have the courage and strength to do the work of the kingdom in the valley. Climbing the mountain we now claim as Mt. A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . Moses still had flaws that would prevent him from entering the Promised Land. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. The Mountaintop Experience | A Bold Christian Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. 1:19). Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Bible Verses About the Mountaintop Experience & Godly Journey Mountain top definition: the top of a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? Here at Mountaintop Worship Center, we spend every Sunday and Wednesday on the mountaintop. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. The valley is not what you may think. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? We dont know the name of the mountain or its heightthe tallest peak in the region was less than ten thousand feet highbut we know this eventbecame the trios ultimate mountaintop experience. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Many of us have walked through our own mountain top experience. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. Things may not be the way you want them to be right now, but as long as you do the next right thing and move in a positive direction, you will continue to learn and grow. I found myself late every afternoon sitting and simply meditating on the mountains, remembering what it was like to be on top of them and giving thanks for their ancient and imposing beauty. Mountain Top Experience will be re-opening on June 1, 2023. Today would Moses finally made it to the promise land! David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. Mountain Characteristics & Formation | What is a Mountain? - Video Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. One moose, two moose. -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. II. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Check out my Recommended Resources list. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. (Mark 9:2-3 ESV) Jesus takes his inner circle to a mountain with him and they experience a "God thing." It was something unlike anything they had ever seen. Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. Jesus Christ, furthering His kingdom, and bringing glory to God through it all. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. What an amazing sight! Amen. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. . Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. You learn something new about who God is. Mountaintop Experience - Good Faith Media Your Promised Land Is Chosen by God for Your Freedom and Success. 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.. Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. He has it all in control. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. When we read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Mountain Top Why Elijah and Moses? Sinai. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this.
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