We cant leave them behind us. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. Moses finally made it to the promise land! As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. This works in making work more enjoyable too. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. And dont forget that Jesus didnt make a move until he had spent his own forty days and night on top of a mountain, and thirty years plying his trade as a carpenter before that. The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. You learn something new about who God is. Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our lives! 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It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. 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. But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! I call them mountain-top experiences! What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? You learn something new about who God is. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. God, unlike Peter knew exactly what he was talking about. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. V:29-the fashion of his countenance was altered, a reflection of another light, but this was light, this glory was from within! Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). Most of us have had a similar experience, maybe not as intense, but a "mountain top" experience nonetheless. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Send us feedback. Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! Moses and company obeyed, hiking to the foot of the mountain where an astonishing thing happened: they saw the God of Israel, and they lived to talk about it! At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. Moses who represents those who die; and Elijah who represent those who are caught up and never die; will both see Jesus in his glory! But heaven will be a place of glory! The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! Have you ever witnessed an altar call? It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. 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. On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. 1:16), so the Word is as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Pet. The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' Amen. Yet, right after this, Christians often go back into the valley where they seem to dwell most of the time. It is on the mountaintop we receive revelation from God, and it is where we often experience the tangible, felt presence of God. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. 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. Waiting feels like a waste of my time. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. The greatest experiences of my life have been the times when God moved in power, and make himself none to me through his word and by his Spirit; making Jesus real to my heart! And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. For six days Peter and the other 11 disciples have their heads spinning by the prediciton that Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, would die on a cross. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . The voice of God clearly identified Jesus as his only son, his beloved son, unique one-of-a-kind son. Thats why he wanted to build dwellings or booths on top of Mt. I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. You are a stumbling block to me. Jesus recognized the voice of the Evil One again, this time speaking through Peter, and he told him to back off. How does a congregation go I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. Like you thought you grasped the concept of our large world, but then you realize its more incredible than you believed it to be. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. 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. Just zoom out and think about your problems in the large scheme of things. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. And what does really matter in life? 1:16). Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. The sum total of all of the things he had done and experienced in life had brought him to the place where he stood at that moment in time. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. But Jesus came and touched [the disciples], saying, 'Rise, and have no fear' (Matt. Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Here at Mountaintop Worship Center, we spend every Sunday and Wednesday on the mountaintop. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. They are solid and unmovable. The glory cloud was a sign that Jesus was Gods dwelling place on earth, Jesus was the Mercy seat, he alone provides salvation and forgiveness! Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. (see Exodus 19) We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. Ironically, remaining on the summit for more than just a few minutes can be dangerous for climberseven life-threatening. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. 2023. I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. He reflected on the massive amount of time, effort and energy it took to reach the specific goals that he had laid out for his life. I love to see groups of people work together and everyone succeed. 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. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. He fulfilled what the. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. 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 ). 17:2). V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. It is the most sacred spot on earth! Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. 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 . Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! Have you been born again? 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. My help comes from theLord,who made heaven and earth. Jesus is dazzling glory is talking to Moses who had been dead over fourteen hundred years and to Elijah who had been gone about nine hundred. Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. So what next? Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. A glorious, spiritual experience where you were alone with Jesus and your soul was lifted above this old world, and you got a taste of heaven. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. 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. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. 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. Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. Maybe youve realized a new passion you have that you can practice in your community. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. Gorgeous mountain views off the deck 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. David Benner says, Our challenge is to unmask the divine in the natural and name the presence of God in our lives. The second part of Listen to Your Life is just as important and that is developing the gift of listening to each others stories. 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. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. He has it all in control. Frankly, I cant imagine being stuck in a dense mountain fog for six days with absolutely nothing to do but look at the fog! Most of us have had some type of mountaintop experience during our lifetime. He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his paths. For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3 CSB). By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? Whoever has ears, let them hear. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. Recently, when I was complaining to a friend about waiting for God to do something, this spiritually wise person noted that God almost never hurries. 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.