Dear Lord, I thank you for every mountaintop experience I have had and look forward to more of them. I would classify Atlanta as a mountaintop experience. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. 2. Mountain top definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Finally, its just Moses moving to the top of Mt. Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. The term "mountain top experience" comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. Mountaintop Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. I have established you on the mountaintop. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the feeling of dizziness. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. - Insights Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. Husband of Orlena. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? Confront the Danger. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. 1. a natural elevation of land rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill. When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 4WD Adventures - Mountain-Top Experience Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. MTE's 4WD tag-along tours throughout the Victorian High Country and passenger tours around Walhalla became very popular . It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! Those are great experiences that God has given to me, and I am thankful for them. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. 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. 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. There is so much to be done here in the valley. But God never intended for us to live there. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. That is how we need to look at our daily issues. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. 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. They allow us to listen to our Christian books while driving, working, or cooking dinner. Jesus skin and clothing no longer glowed. Properly understood, it is something we receive just like our salvation. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. 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. 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. After clarifying among the three who the real hillbilly is (its the one who has The other gospel writers say his raiment was white as snow, as no washer on earth could make them. All rights reserved. It was a Mountain top experience, as heaven came down on that mountain. The Danger of the Mountain Top Experience - Youth Ministry 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. And the thought of spending an additional 40 days in the fog listening for the voice of God doesnt excite me either. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. 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! Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! The greatest experiences of my life have been the times when God moved in power, and make himself none to me through his word and by his Spirit; making Jesus real to my heart! My time in Dallas was informative and meaningful and challenging, but I would not say it was a mountaintop experience. Gratitude and the Asbury Revival | Kent Dunnington | First Things Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. Heres another rhythm to add to the listcoming up the mountain to be with God; then going down the mountain to serve Gods people. 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! How can we reach this mountaintop?. 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'. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. 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. There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our 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. If you need it, they have it. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. Check out my Recommended Resources list. Our future includes a great change- corruption-incorruption; mortal- immortal. And it happened at the foot of Mt. And one day he would return with clouds of glory at his second coming. God doesnt intend for us to live in a perpetual state of emotional highs when it comes to faith. , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. 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! Remember, it was on top of Mt. Sinai. 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. How do you respond? Mountain Characteristics & Formation | What is a Mountain? - Video What we should do is go back every now and then to the memories, the journal entries, the conversations. Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. Howdoes that experience encourage you now? 1:16). This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. 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. They see His Glory and they worship Him! 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. 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). A Mountain-Top Experience - Faithlife Sermons And minds that were already spinning are now completely blown. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! 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. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. . We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. But make no mistake Jesus was the unrivalled son of God. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. For Christians, it seems that anything from a relaxing woods retreat to a Mountain-Dew-induced sugar-high at a youth conference can gain the mountaintop moniker. Now that you have you hot chocolate, it is time to relax. 6. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size. You will recall that Moses had to return to Mt. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. If there ever was a time for silence, this was it. So what next? 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. 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. Tabor. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. Have you ever witnessed an altar call? Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. Pastor at Columbus (IN) RP Church. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes. They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. Under his feet lay challenge after challenge that he had encountered along the way in his business and personal life. Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. 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. Branded DISC Profile Service Back Office Login (has a different login than this website). Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. Afterwards, we go back into the valleys where we live our lives. The problem .read more Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. 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 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. Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. But now Moses is getting to see the glory of God face-to-face, in the person of Jesus Christ. 1:21). There are several reasons. 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. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! 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. Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! Why does God allow you to have a Mountain-top experience? Appropriately enough, both Moses and Elijah, the greatest lawgiver and the greatest prophet, show up to talk with Jesus. Sermons about Mountain Top Experience - SermonCentral.com 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. Many people want special blessings, and mountain top experiences but they do not want to be dedicated to Jesus. And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? Heaven will not be a place of strangers. For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. 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. He who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep. Yet over time we go back to normal life. The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. the law and the prophets. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. 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'd love to go mountain - climbing. 1:19). My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. Ironically, the three disciples misunderstood nearly everything about that experience as it was occurring. The Father speaks from the cloud (Matt. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Get our latest tips and leader helps with our free monthly e-newsletter. When you looked at Jesus he was a common, ordinary Jew-, YET Jesus Christ was much more than a common man when he walked on this earth. Did we really experience change? The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. , and respond as he calls you to trust him for eternal life. The Cross was a great accomplishment; not an accident, tragedy, disaster! . 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. However, along the way there were broken relationships and many long hours of hard work and study. But then, out of nowhere, God's presence became real to them. It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. The Mountain Top Experience - Sermon Central Simon Peter and the brothers James and John accompanied Jesus one day up on a high mountain (Matt. mountaintop [ moun-tn-top ] SHOW IPA noun the top or summit of a mountain. 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. One of the authors of the book, Sharon Swing says, Listening is the art of creating space so God can do His work in the heart of another., This time in Atlanta was a follow-up to similar work I did in Dallas two years ago. 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. You learn something new about who God is. Accessed 4 Mar. 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. What an amazing sight! 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. God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. Mountain-top - definition of mountain-top by The Free Dictionary Mixed in with all of that were some great memories and wonderful times of happiness, too. and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience?
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