Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. 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 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. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! every Bible should be bound and shoe leather. On one particular hike, the sun was setting, the warm air brushed against me, and the silence engulfed me. -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. There we will walk in His paths and will be taught His ways. For instruction and revelation will come out from Mountaintop Worship Center. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. That had to be a long six days. TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. In. Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. Both had famous departures from this earth. It actually turned out to be a good place. And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. 17:2). Maybe it was getting married or having children. Death moves our soul to another place, and that particular place is determined by what you do with Jesus in this life. 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. 17:1). This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. 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.. 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. This often propels us into a greater service for God. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! Mountain Top Experience's season generally runs from April through December each year. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. This reminds me of Church! The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. 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 Most of us have had a similar experience, maybe not as intense, but a "mountain top" experience nonetheless. 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. We also learn something about how things will be in the next life for the saved: When your body dies, you are not annihilated. The word, . Jesus is greater than Moses, and Elijah! That is the reality of the experience of this thing we call life. Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? But those were all just moments. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. Of course, except for Jesus, even people who undergo mountaintop transformations remain flawed. Or you were convicted about something in your life that you now need accountability for from a friend or mentor. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. Send us feedback. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. 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. Why Elijah and Moses? Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. Amen, we all agree with that; to be on the mountain top in the presence of Jesus and to see His glory! Together they represent the entire O.T. This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). Both had been shown Gods glory on those mountains. What was the difference? The transfiguration was a foreshadowing of that event, but Christs followers would not be able to clearly see that until after the resurrection. mountain noun [C] (VERY LARGE HILL) A2 a raised part of the earth's surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow: The Matterhorn is one of the biggest mountains in Europe. Moses is a prime example of this. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. It is part of your sacred story and it will be a tremendous source of comfort and strength to you when you have to face the dark valley. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Everything is tiny and nothing seems to matter when you are that far away from people. How can we reach this mountaintop?. Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. Those moments at a worship concert or at the end of a sermon when the person holding the microphone makes a powerful speech with emotional music playing in the background. Nebo, and God buried him in a grave known only to God. The stress I feel towards a particular class is so small compared to what really matters in life. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. Full kitchen, with cookware and dinnerware, dishwasher, microwave, stove/oven, full fridge, coffeemaker. They witnessed Jesus transfigurationa majestic visualization of the Lords divine nature as well as His approaching death and resurrection. Telling the stories from our mountain tops with others, sharing the insights we have learned and intentionally seeking out stories from others about their time on the mountain. Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. The shekinah glory cloud was gone. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. Jesus would die on the Cross, be buried in a borrowed tomb, and rise again three days later. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. Christianity is living a life of obedience to Jesus! Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). as he tells you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. Is what youre worried about really worth the worry? Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. Moses is a prime example of this. I'd love to go mountain - climbing. 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. Salvation is not in a program, or a plan, but in a person-. the law and the prophets. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. I have placed you on the mountaintop for my glory in the last days.. Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. This is my favorite source for everything Christian. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain. How does a congregation go We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. 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! But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. 2023. Believe: What Secret Does It Hold For You Today. the cloud which covered the Tabernacle with Gods glory. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. Address it with all of them, and make them aware of the pros and cons of the mountain top. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. , when Moses met with God on Mount Sinai he came down with the glory of God radiating off his face. Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. 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. 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. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. But then, out of nowhere, God's presence became real to them. 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. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! A variety of day trips, long weekends, and extended . The people live in the valleys. 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. 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 read His Word, the Majestic Glory of God speaks through His Spirit. 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. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. Remember, it was on top of Mt. 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. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. Yes, he would soon be nailed to a cross. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? 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. Define mountaintop. 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. What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! there is only one way to be saved and that is through. This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. 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 . Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain; and they see His glory, they have a Mountain-Top Experience. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. 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! He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. Proclaiming the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 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. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. It was a Mountain experience, because JESUS was there! Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? 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. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. There is so much to be done here in the valley. This is where audiobooks are helpful. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. 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. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? 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. 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. while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. 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. They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. And you will walk away changed!. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. 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. 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. to love God more than anything else, and love your neighbor as yourself. The mountaintop experience enables the believer to remain stable when they reach low points in their life. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' I have separated the list into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. We know how important it is to feed our faith and build our knowledge through reading Christian books. They see His Glory and they worship Him! 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. They are solid and unmovable. Next came the same audible voice from heaven that had spoken previously at Jesus baptism (Matt. Here is our startling recognition: the Christian's mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. 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. This is what all our experiences, all our theology, all our work should come to; bring is to the place to see Jesus! 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. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. . Just as the Majestic Glory spoke on the mountain (2 Pet. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. 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; . And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. 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. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. 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. These moments can be truly genuine and beautiful. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. 1:21). At least, that pattern held true for the likes of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. After hearing those commandments, Moses came back down the mountain and reported to the Israelites all that God had said to him. 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! 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. So what next? Delivered to your inbox! I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. 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. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. But those were all just moments. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! Their eyes opened and they saw a whole new reality; the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. Tabor. And then there was Jesus. We recognize that many of us will not have the privilege to live our lives on the top of a mountain, whether literally or figuratively. CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. 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! Copyright www.personality-insights.com. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. Psalm 90:2; Exodus 19:17-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 121:1-2; Isaiah 54:10. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. 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. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! 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 mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us. I wasnt so eager to leave the mountaintop. 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. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. 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 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. In the Old Testament, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most significant. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Yet over time we go back to normal life. 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:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. Theres only one tabernacle where God dwells, Jesus Christ! Worrying about finances doesnt measure up to what really matters in life. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). In Exodus 24 God summoned Moses and a company of others to come back to the mountain. DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. Six days earlier Jesus had asked his disciples the question of the hour Who do you say that I am? WhenPeter answered, You are the Messiah, Son of the living God, Jesus was ecstatic, and on the spot named Peter the future head of the church. 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? Yes, I was on a literal mountaintop, but I am talking about a biblical mountaintop experience. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. 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. Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. And we forget the promises we made to our Holy God in the midst of that mountain top experience. 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. Why not begin to consider what stuff makes up your own mountain? adjective situated at the top or summit of a mountain: a mountaintop house. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. You learn something new about who God is. But if we dont use what we have experienced on the mountain to affect the valley, then they might as well just be quick reactions to a fleeting moment. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on.

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