Remember, it was on top of Mt. They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? However, there will be times of hard work, traffic jams, taxes, wasted time, frustrating situations, wrecked dreams, lost money, broken relationships and the list of challenges that we face at some point in our lifetime could go on and on. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! 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. Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of stuff. How can we reach this mountaintop?. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! I have established you on the mountaintop. Tabor. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. In. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. Psalm 90:2; Exodus 19:17-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 121:1-2; Isaiah 54:10. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. He has it all in control. If not, why not today? To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Jesus asked his disciples, who do the people say I am? The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. Hebrew tells us he is greater than all the O.T prophets! Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. We long for the mountaintop. What was the difference? The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. There is so much to be done here in the valley. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Copyright 2023, Good Faith Media | Site by, Lincoln Lessons: Real Church, Real Theology, New GFM Podcast on Race, Religion and Politics Drops in, Five Things to Listen for in Raceless Gospel Podcast. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). I love life! After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! 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. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. to what Jesus says in his word. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. -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. Jesus does not fall to temptation but whips the Devil soundly on the mountain, and the Evil One slinks away, biding his time until he can harass Jesus again. I wasnt so eager to leave the mountaintop. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. Both had famous departures from this earth. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. Jesus death on the cross is the topic of conversation when you have a mountaintop experience! Some only lasted for mere minutes. 1:21). Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. And then there was Jesus. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. 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 Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. 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 still a third time because he shattered the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments upon hearing that the Israelites had manufactured and worshiped a golden calf in his absence. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. We forget what God said to us when we approached the altar during that sermon. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Maybe it was getting married or having children. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. The people live in the valleys. My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. How does a congregation go , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. They were the Lords closes friends, they were with him when he raised Jarius daughter from the dead, and they would be with him in the garden of Gethsemane. So many of us begin to desire to leave God's mountaintop through lax engagement with God's Word because the experience feels so ordinary. This often propels us into a greater service for God. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. 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. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. 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. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. Heaven or Hell! As he stood there looking out over his life and all of his accomplishments, he looked down and realized that the mountaintop was not at all what he thought it would be. (. Sinai again and again to commune with God and to better understand not just the essential laws for the life of the community, but the rhythms and cycles of what their covenantal life together will be like in the Promised Land. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. Frankly, I cant imagine being stuck in a dense mountain fog for six days with absolutely nothing to do but look at the fog! V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. But seriously Im glad to have an excuse for Joani to describe the stirrings of the Holy Spirit in her life. They are solid and unmovable. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. (see Exodus 19) 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. I call them mountain-top experiences! top maun-tn-tp Synonyms of mountaintop : the summit of a mountain Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web 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 mountaintop. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. That could prove dangerous and manipulative. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. 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. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. 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". Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. TheLordis your keeper;theLordis your shade at your right hand. Keep reading Matthew 17 and youll see that during their descent from the mountain the disciples have a frightening encounter with a demon from hell. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. 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. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Together they represent the entire O.T. Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. Peter said it is good to be here. They didnt last for years. 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. Idioms: Perhaps they were previously lost, or filled with anger, depression, addiction, confusion. At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. 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! This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. there is only one way to be saved and that is through. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. Climbing the mountain we now claim as Mt. Moses is a prime example of this. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Gorgeous mountain views off the deck 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. 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! And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. It is a high point in your life when youre with Gods people and Jesus in his glory shows up! White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. 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. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. No one deserves worship but Jesus! As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. The Apostle who once fell at Jesus knees upon a miracle of Christ (Luke 5:1-11) now offers His skill in tent-making to the transfigured Messiah (Matt. Ron & Andrea Camier established Mountain-Top Experience in 1998 following Ron's retrenchment from brown coal research and development engineering due to the privatisation of the power industry. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. 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. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. 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 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. Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! Amen. 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. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. Sinai. By now, its a Christian clich: the mountaintop experience. The training notes 'Mountain-Top 4 Wheel Driving or reflections on over 40 years of mistakes in the Victorian high country' is a 44-page booklet covering 'Getting the Right Gear', 'Tackling Tough Trails' and 'Touring Tips'. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. 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. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! adjective situated at the top or summit of a mountain: a mountaintop house. The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Top selling author and speaker, Robert Rohm Ph.D. is founder of Personality Insights Inc. and The Robert Rohm Co. As you will see, Dr. Rohm specializes in helping people better understand themselves and others. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance.
