The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. 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. 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. But God never intended for us to live there. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. -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. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. No one deserves worship but Jesus! To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. You learn something new about who God is. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. 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! Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. 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. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. And Im guessing wed have a mountaintop experience at church if we took the time to listen to each other describe our mountaintop experiences. When the back doors of the church opened, and there. After surviving his 40 day and night fast, Jesus climbs down one mountain only to go up another, where he delivers the greatest sermon of all time, the "Sermon on the Mount.". The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. 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 knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. But Jesus was not reflecting the glory of God; He was shining out the glory of God from within. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples But, before we get into the prophetic message, lets look at the importance of the mountaintop experience.The mountaintop experience is something many Christians seek after. -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. 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. 1:16). Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 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. 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. 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. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. 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. 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. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' The mountain top experience was a sanctuary, and a challenge. 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. The sun shall not strike you byday,nor the moon by night. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. Frankly, I cant imagine being stuck in a dense mountain fog for six days with absolutely nothing to do but look at the fog! Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! So what next? Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. The problem .read more There are several reasons. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. But then Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be afraid. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! 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? After surviving his 40 day and night fast, Jesus climbs down one mountain only to go up another, where he delivers the greatest sermon of all time, the Sermon on the Mount.. V:30-31-And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! 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). Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. Shes still not sure whats she supposed to do with what shes learning, and now shes in her own personal waiting period trusting God to clarify her next move. Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. The High Mountain became the Holy Mountain because he saw the glory of Jesus there! This works in making work more enjoyable too. The next time you have a mountain top experience, whether its at church, on the mission field or in the comfort of your room for not all experiences are charged with emotion know those moments arent wasted. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. We cant leave them behind us. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. This is where audiobooks are helpful. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! 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. Became pastor of the church in Jerusalem, and was martyred for Preaching Jesus. They saw for the first time the dazzling Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. 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. 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. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). Waiting feels like a waste of my time. 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. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Just zoom out and think about your problems in the large scheme of things. So where one person might be on their knees in tears over an experience with God, another might simply acknowledge the fact that theyve learned something new about God. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. It involves a series of visual maps which are designed to help us sort through the chapters of our life story and rediscover clues about those places in our life where God has been, and is continuing to work. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. 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. But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! In any case, whenever something really wonderful happens to us, our excitement causes us to view it as one of lifes mountaintop experiences. V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. Living on a spiritual high all the time would make for an exhausting life, but there are lessons we can take from each moment and implant them into our routines. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. Of all the things the apostles witnessed, none was more spectacular and the vision of the glorified Christ on top on the Mount of Transfiguration. I have established you on the mountaintop. Yet, if we keep going and if we keep climbing, the sum total of all those experiences will keep us moving upward in the right direction. while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. It is the most sacred spot on earth! The word, . But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. Psalm 90:2; Exodus 19:17-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 121:1-2; Isaiah 54:10. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. How does a congregation go Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. They didnt last for years. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. (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. Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. Sinai. . My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. Heaven will not be a place of strangers. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. Amen. Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. But Jesus saves the day, and then sends his disciples on deeper into the valley, urging them to have the kind of faith that can move mountains, because they were just on one. Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. They took my breath away from ground level and, when I climbed them, they whisked away any anxious thought Id ever have. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! Define mountaintop. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Recommended ResourcesEasy Bible Study Method, Bold LivingFaithSpiritual GrowthDevotions, I am an author, blogger, Bible teacher, and preacher. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. No wonder Peter fell to his face. If you have Netflix or Hulu, the possibilities of movies are endless. The people live in the valleys. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Philippians 4:13. God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. Sinai a third time to get a new copy of the commandments we read in Exodus 34 that Moses face was shining so brightly with the spirit of God that he had to veil his face when he was around people. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mountain top experience. 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. 2. a large mass or heap; pile. 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. The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. Jesus visage became as bright as the sun even as the long-dead Old Testament heroes Moses (representing the law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) appeared and talked with Jesus. It was a great privilege to see Moses and Elijah, but Jesus was the son of God! Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. When Jesus entered this world, he came as a man, he was born in a stable, wore peasant clothing, and worked as a carpenter in a small town. But heaven will be a place of glory! Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Both had famous departures from this earth. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? At first they were deathly afraid of what they had seenwho wouldnt be!? This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. It was simply a huge heap of stuff (both good and bad) that he had climbed up in order to get to where he was. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text. every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. All rights reserved. Every Christian needs a place to be alone and talk with the Lord, when he described this mountain top experience, he called this high mountain; . When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. 1:17). Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. This is the walk all . In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". Maybe youve realized a new passion you have that you can practice in your community. Mountain Top Experience's season generally runs from April through December each year. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. Theyre moments when we experience God in an intense, intimate way. If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. Moses is a prime example of this. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. There is an actual valley connected to rough times and depression in Psalm 23, known as the shadow of death, that is outside of Jericho in Israel. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. Jesus gives us his word that we might obey it, put it to practice in our lives, and live it out every day! It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. Learn a new word every day. How can we reach this mountaintop?. You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! 3:17). 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. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. Since the first reported successful climb of that 29,000-foot peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, more than four thousand different individuals have experienced the thrill. CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. These men NEVER forgot what they saw that night. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. II. Maybe it was getting married or having children. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. 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. 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. Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. In Atlanta, as we met and talked and worshipped, I had a strong sense of energy and enthusiasm and knew clearly that God was saying to me, The time is right and you are ready to begin this work of listening. Whereas before, Listen to My Life sounded really interested and well-done, this time it felt truly life giving. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. A Mountain Top Experience This is such an awesome piece of Scripture that describes the imagery of a future time when "the mountain of the LORD" and "the house of the God of Jacob" will be a holy place for all the diverse people groups from every nation and of every ethnicity, worshipping God and learning the ways of His wisdom - Amen! Peter was hoping Jesus would settle in on the summit. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Finally, one day he reached the top of his mountain. 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. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. 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. The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. Horeb, Elijah stood in the mouth of a cave and heard God speak not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the sounds of silence. Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. 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. Delivered to your inbox! We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. Yet over time we go back to normal life. Valleys contain lakes and streams and are where rich grasses and varied types of trees grow.Therefore, ranchers take their cattle and sheep to the valley for the rich food. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. The saved are in glory, this life is one of suffering and humiliation for the saints. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. I call them mountain-top experiences! The words of Psalm 121 came to my mind each afternoon gazing upon the mountains, and they are what I expect will be transporting me back there over the next several months. 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. Think of those wonderfully cheesy G.I. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. 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). (see Exodus 19) 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. glory cloud Ezekiel saw rise from between the cherubim and move to the threshold of the Temple because of Israels apostasy and then slowly rising to be seen no more from the Mount of Olives. These guys had seen Jesus on multiple occasions, do amazing things, but they had NEVER seen him like they are going to see him on that mountain. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. That had to be a long six days. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. adj. Have you been born again? A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS!

List Of Leading And Lagging Indicators In Stock Market, Is A Speeding Ticket A Misdemeanor In California, Disney Worldwide Services Payroll Phone Number, 77 Degrees Dallas Racist, Articles M