And it happened at the foot of Mt. Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. They didn't last for years. Sermons about Mountain Top Experience - SermonCentral.com 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. 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. 1:21). But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. Both can be mountain top experiences, moments when we see God in a new way. Yet we can quickly walk down off the mountain and return to normal life in the valley. For once weve faced them head on, then well have a better understanding of what to do next. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. 17:5), and Peter and the disciples fall to their faces (17:6). Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. - the law and the, Prophets; the son of God and the three great apostles of the church they are talking about the Cross! 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; . 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. as he calls you to leave bitterness behind, and to forgive and find joy. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. I have had my fair share of mountain top experiences, both literal and spiritual. Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. 1:17), the words of Scripture are words from God as carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. Sermon: Mountain Top Experiences - Desperate Preacher Then, only Moses and his associate, Joshua moved further up the mountain. 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. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. Tabor. 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". We forget what God said to us when we approached the altar during that sermon. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). -For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. What an amazing sight! Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. We forget what it felt like to trust God while on the mission field. That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. Learn a new word every day. Upon returning from the top of Mt. 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. Not all mountain top experiences drip with emotion. Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Mountain Top Experience will be re-opening on June 1, 2023. Today would On the Mountain of Transfiguration it looks like things happen in a hurry. Living Your Mountaintop Experience Everyday - Spiritually Hungry Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. Mountaintop Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). The relationships he had with family and friends had caused him both happiness and sorrow. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. The valley is not what you may think. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. Do what I have called you to do, and people will say, Let us go to Mountaintop Worship Center. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. 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. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. I love life! It had been six hundred years since anyone in Israel had seen the Shekinah glory cloud. SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY THAT IT IS. 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. When the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured, it means that He became on the outside what He was on the inside. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! It is regularly updated with the latest 4WD developments, and with amusing anecdotes and stories . Have you been born again? We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? Above: Muhammad, Buda, Knish, or any other name. The Israelites were deeply moved by what Moses reported, and promised to obey all that they had heard. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. adj. On the days when I find myself worrying about temporary issues I need to take a step back and look at life as if I was looking at the world from a mountaintop. DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? Maybe it was getting married or having children. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. They see His Glory and they worship Him! the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. If not, why not today? The law and prophets all meet in Jesus, they point to Jesus, and they preach Jesus. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. 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. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. Some only lasted for mere minutes. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. Mountain top definition: the top of a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. But Jesus explained that Elijah had already come in the ministry of John the Baptist. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. 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. 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. 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! The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. He fulfilled what the. Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. A Mountain Top Experience - The Odyssey Online It doesnt mean well have an answer to every question we faced on the mountain top. 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 These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. Carmel that Elijah staged his mesmerizing victory over 450 prophets of Baal when God breathed down fire from heaven at Elijahs request. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. That somebody is my wife, Joani, and Ive asked Joani to briefly describe her mountaintop experience with us today. Philippians 4:13. 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. Finally, Jesus directed the three disciples not to tell others about their experience until after His resurrection. Mountain Characteristics & Formation | What is a Mountain? - Video But the ecstasy was short-lived because when Jesus predicted his suffering and death on a cross, Peter reacted so negatively to this unexpected news that Jesus said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. Both had famous departures from this earth. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? 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. Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. When the Word is preached, the power and majesty of God are communicated to His people. V:29-the fashion of his countenance was altered, a reflection of another light, but this was light, this glory was from within! If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. The Word communicated the fullness of the glory of God manifested to them. V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. 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. But as Jesus might say, We cant work effectively for God in the valley until we have been transformed spiritually with God on the mountain. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples (see Exodus 19) A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. One of the principles of listening to God speak through scripture is that you should notice what causes you to resist as well as resonate. My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. We see Him working and moving throughout the lives of the people there, and we come home with a new vigor to live life differently, more passionately. Climbing the mountain we now claim as Mt. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. 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. How to Use the Mountain Top Experience in the Valley 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. Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. 1:16). Gratitude and the Asbury Revival | Kent Dunnington | First Things Nighttime temperatures drop wellbelow zero, the air is razor-thin, and killer storms can strike without warning. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. The glory of God shines the brightest with the topic of conversation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says it's Mt. 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. We cant disqualify a mountain top experience as just an emotional reaction. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Do you understand that Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life; and took your sin, and died in your place that you might experience forgiveness and salvation? This is my favorite source for everything Christian. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. Here is our startling recognition: the Christian's mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. Hermon. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. 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. Wood burning fireplace, gas grill, washer and dryer, central heat. There were many heartaches and tears shed over painful relationships with family members and close friends which were also part of the pile. When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. the mighty apostle of Pentecost was a great leader in the early church, crucified upside down. TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. died on Mt. 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. My help comes from theLord,who made heaven and earth. 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. MOUNTAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary And if weve implanted them in some way in our present, then revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Mountain top removal Definition | Law Insider This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. 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. 2023. Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. Sinai. I love to see families encouraging and helping one another. The people live in the valleys. We know how important it is to feed our faith and build our knowledge through reading Christian books. Became pastor of the church in Jerusalem, and was martyred for Preaching Jesus. for who he really is, in all of his love, grace and glory, it is a mountain-top experience! Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. 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. The fact that the transfiguration is reported in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. 17:1). These men where dedicated and devoted to Jesus; these three men went on to be. This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. I call them mountain-top experiences! 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. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. 17:7)." On this mountaintop; theyre going to see who Jesus is; theyre going to see the glory of the son of God; theyre going to hear the voice of God as he says this is my beloved son. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? about evangelism. No one deserves worship but Jesus! He and his disciples went up this mountain to pray. Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. 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. 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. What is the purpose of a Mountain-top experience? 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? First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. 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. David Briscoe is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources. On that mountaintop I realized that all the problems and worries that suffocate me daily were so worldly. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? 4WD Driver Training - Mountain-Top Experience I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. V:31-Which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. We go down to the valley to meditate on our recent revelation, allowing us to learn from our mountaintop experiences. This looks differently for everyone, but its a step we cannot ignore. This is so prevalent that the mountaintop experience has become a Christian clich of excitement and zeal. They saw things they had never seen before, they were aware of things they were never aware of before, they were in the presence of God! Im guessing most of us have had at least one episode in our lives wed call a mountaintop experience. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. Maybe youve realized a new passion you have that you can practice in your community. Mountain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Baptism is NOT something we do. 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. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. For Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. You can read my full article about the importance of the mountaintop experience HERE. Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. Climbing the mountains in Western North Carolina with my former youth from Indiana who made it a tradition to climb together early in the morning and then share affirmations on the mountain top at the end of a Montreat Youth Conference. A Mountain Top Experience 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! Metamorphosis- An outward change that comes from the inside. The Mountain Top Experience - Sermon Central The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. But those were all just moments. Moses had asked to see Gods glory, and only got to see the backside of God as he passed by. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! The chosen son of God, the Savior of the world! Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. The mission field proves a common place where we experience God in new ways. If youll notice, neither Moses nor Jesus retired on top of a mountain. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Thats why he wanted to build dwellings or booths on top of Mt. I have separated the list into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources. 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. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! He has it all in control. 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. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Send us feedback. Heaven will not be a place of strangers. Still others need to spend time contemplating it all in the quiet of their own prayers. It is interesting to imagine what it would be like to staff other peoples mountain top experiences. And that moment made such an impression on Peter that years later he would refer to it in one of his New Testament letters as proof positive that that he didnt make up the gospel, but was an eyewitness to the very power and majesty of Jesus that changed his life forever. Define mountaintop. 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. I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. 2nd Purpose for a mountain-top experiences is that you will: 2. . 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. You feel overcome by a greater awareness of Gods reality. And then there was Jesus. the law and the prophets. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. - Insights Mountaintop experiences are moments where people experience a dramatic expression of faith. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. They took my breath away from ground level and, when I climbed them, they whisked away any anxious thought Id ever have. 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. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. How does a congregation go You respond in Worship, praise, awe, thanksgiving, tears, and joy!! Mountaintop Experience - Good Faith Media Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! 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. 3. a huge amount: a mountain of mail. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. There will be times of recognition, success, fun, laughter, happiness, financial success and many wonderful experiences together with family and friends. Lead me to those where the harvest is ready, for I am Your willing laborer.In Jesus name I pray, Amen. from that experience knowing more about Jesus, more prepared to live and die for him! while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mountaintop, Nglish: Translation of mountaintop for Spanish Speakers. IN THE BOREDOM AND PAIN OF IT NO LESS THAN IN THE EXCITEMENT, AND GLADNESS: TOUCH, TASTE, SMELL YOUR WAY TO THE HOLY, BECAUSE IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, ALL MOMENTS, ARE KEY MOMENTS AND ALL OF LIFE ITSELF IS GRACE. Thats because mountaintop experience is a figure of speech that comes right out of Holy Scripture. Why Elijah and Moses? The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? 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.. We must take what weve learned and processed, allowing it to change us.