But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. And dont forget that Jesus didnt make a move until he had spent his own forty days and night on top of a mountain, and thirty years plying his trade as a carpenter before that. 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). You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. Others need to share with a close friend a detailed description of all they experienced. encourage them and help them in the days ahead. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. Tabor. Most of us have had a similar experience, maybe not as intense, but a "mountain top" experience nonetheless. Together they represent the entire O.T. was the founder of Israels worship of God. Mountaintop Experience - Explore the Bible - LifeWay Christian Resources Both these men had talked with God on mountaintops before. Remember, it was on top of Mt. This is the walk Jesus makes of his life. There we will walk in His paths and will be taught His ways. For instruction and revelation will come out from Mountaintop Worship Center. Running Together: Evening Worship at 5:00. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. To grow and restore the family of Christ on the foundation of His Word and His promises. 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. V:35-And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved son: hear him. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". He has performed miracle after miracle and, in that mountaintop experience, my blinded eyes were healed. 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.. Baptism is NOT something we do. As we walked onto a short trail through the snow and frozen ground, Owen remarked that it must be a strange job to drive to the top of a mountain and talk with thousands of visitors who pass through the center every day - like an environmental guru waiting at the peak for travelers to come seeking knowledge and insight. And suddenly, it appears like what we experienced was just an emotional reaction crafted by the situation at hand. After his death, would come his resurrection and exaltation! But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. Dan Allender has written, God has crafted our character and gives us a role that will reveal something about Him that no-one elses story can reveal in quite the same way. I am excited to see How God can lead us to discover our unique stories and then become Holy Listeners for each other. Your Promised Land Is Chosen by God for Your Freedom and Success. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. 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. MOUNTAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. No one deserves worship but Jesus! Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. What Is the Significance of Mountains in the Bible? I lift up my eyes to the hillsfrom where will my help come? Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. We will recognize our loved ones and others in heaven. He was the God-Man, Immanuel- God with us! Did you notice that Joani is in a waiting period after her time on the mountain? 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! Moses and Elijah had disappeared, the voice of the Father was silent, and the three disciples saw only Jesus! The Christian's Mountaintop Experience - Gentle Reformation 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. Peter, James, and John were caught in heavens high beams as they saw the glory of God shining through the humanity of Jesus. V:29-his arraignment was white and glistening. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. 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. revisiting them will prove a way to spur us on as we continue to live changed. For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. The first time we see Jesus on a high mountain is in Matthew 4 when he is being tempted by the Devil. 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 . Have you been born again? And you don't have to settle for regular milk! This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! When I heard that story, I identified with it so very much. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. And then there was Jesus. Moses climbing Mt. Our job is to share Gods reconciliation with them and bring them to the mountaintop for their own personal experience with God. Now that you have you hot chocolate, it is time to relax. Now for the Lords prophetic word: This is what the Lord is saying to the people of Mountaintop Worship Center. Upon returning from the top of 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. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. My purpose is to lead believers into a deeper relationship with God, resulting in them becoming A Bold Christian. But it will give us time and space to allow the intensity of those moments to sit raw and open as we transition back to the valley. DISC Certification, Speaker Boot Camp etc. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! 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? They were the Lords closes friends, they were with him when he raised Jarius daughter from the dead, and they would be with him in the garden of Gethsemane. The person and name of Jesus is a name that is above every name! 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. 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. My belief is the valley is as good as the mountaintop and just as important to our spiritual growth. Now would be the time to get involved in a church or Bible study. Living Your Mountaintop Experience Everyday - Spiritually Hungry These days weve been talking about the sacred rhythms of spiritual formation. 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. Well have a better understanding of how that intense moment can fit into our everyday. 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. I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. Delivered to your inbox! Husband of Orlena. When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? Mountain top removal Definition | Law Insider Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. I recently heard a man say that he had worked all of his life to get to the top of his own personal mountain. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. 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. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. We forget what God said to us when we approached the altar during that sermon. TheLordwill keep you from allevil;he will keep your life. It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. 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. Moses finally made it to the promise land! Three of Jesus disciples would no doubt put a different experience atop their list. That is the reality of the experience of this thing we call life. Those who separate themselves to pray are the ones who see the Glory of Jesus! Mountaintop Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. , it was a manifestation of the presence of God, the form in which God revealed himself to Israel. Horeb, which is described in the bible as the mountain of God. Later, Moses will climb Mt. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. 1:17). Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. Now, as we review Exodus 24 and Matthew 17, I want us to notice certain traits of mountaintop experiences. Amen. died on Mt. We long for the mountaintop. Just as the disciples heard the Word on the mountain (2 Pet. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Sinai. Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. 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. A sermon delivered by David Hughes, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, Nc., March 6, 2011. The Danger of the Mountain Top Experience - Youth Ministry Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. Peter, James, and John thought that Elijahs appearance on the mountain with Jesus that day surely was a fulfillment of prophecy. Certainly, there is a rhythmic, ordinary nature to daily encounter with Gods Word. As the transfiguration reveals, the voice of Majestic Glory in the Word is a fearful thing. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. - Insights This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. But heaven will be a place of glory! Sermon: Mountain Top Experiences - Desperate Preacher A Mountain-Top Experience - Faithlife Sermons Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! Stick with that original version of your mountain-top experience--the way you have experienced God. It so happens that I know of somebody thats had a mountaintop experience just this past week. Some of us may prefer to not be confronted with such a frightening voice whenever our Bibles are opened. 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. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010(610) 525-2821. Jesus is above all men, Jesus has no Equal! the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Just zoom out and think about your problems in the large scheme of things. There, for Peter, the mountain-hearing of the Fathers Majestic-Glory serves as the paradigm for the churchs engagement with the Word of God. 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. There is so much to be done here in the valley. In those moments, do we lose the passion and the awe we once felt on top of that mountain? 1:19). Moses is a prime example of this. What matters most is that you end up standing on top of it all rather than being consumed by it! Maybe your mountain top experience was giving your life to Christ for the first time at that altar call. 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. 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. Consider how Peter engages this question in 2 Peter 1:16-21. 1:16). Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. But then, everything about Peters mountaintop experience changes. about evangelism. 2023. 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? He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber. Mountaintop Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com 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. 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. He neither deserves the honor or respect that entails. Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. 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 It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! If the bible is any guide, theres no better place to meet the divine than on or around a mountain. The valley is not what you may think. 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. The question is, will you enter into that change as you walk down the mountain into the valley? These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mountaintop.' However, the truth of the matter is simply this: the mountain really is made out of a lot of stuff (both good and bad). Here is our startling recognition: the Christian's mountaintop experience is to come in contact with the Word of God. Even so, flaws and all, God sends us from our mountaintops into the valleys below. One trait that gets very little press is that mountain top experiences often involve waiting. Pastor James McDonald describes the biblical mountaintop experience as one that involves your mind, emotions, and will. For Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. Why Elijah and Moses? The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. Im glad Joani could share today because I really needed a fresh illustration of a mountaintop experience for this sermon! I commit myself to daily sharing with others good things You have done for me. If you need it, they have it. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. I love to see goals attained after hard work. They would come down that mountain knowing without a shadow of a doubt who Jesus Christ was! But as great as it will be to see our loved ones, the main person we will want to see will be JESUS! 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. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the "roof of the world," the summit of Mount Everest. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! That is what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountain. Sinai. 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. 17:4). 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! I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. 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. They are solid and unmovable. Jesus would rise in a glorified body, ascend to heaven and sit on the right hand of the throne of God. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax? That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. Did we really experience change? Mountain Top Herod asked about Jesus, who is this I hear such things about? Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. While such fear is proper, it may and must be accompanied by hearing the other mountain-voice of the transfiguration. The Holy Spirit really works through the sacrament of baptism. The sum total of the Christian life is listening to and doing what Jesus says. Through His Word, Jesus presents grace to frightened disciples on the mountain. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. A MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE | FaithWriters It was their ultimate mountaintop experience. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? But it seems that the visual experience did not generate the immediate fear and awe one might expect. Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our lives! God truly does reveal Himself to us in different ways, some more intense than others. How can we reach this mountaintop?. Idioms: 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. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. This doesnt mean attempting to recreate our mountain top experience. Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! And what does really matter in life? 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! So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead! Some experiences are more calm and rational moments. In later reflection, Peter described what he heard as the Majestic Glory (2 Pet. A sunrise view from the Solid Rock Hideaway our Vision. When it happens, they become excited and zealous for God. Mark 9:2-3 - The Mountain Top Experience | Daily Devotionals 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. 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. 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. 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. Thats why he wanted to build dwellings or booths on top of Mt. It dishonored Jesus; it put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah! Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Once weve processed our mountain top experience, well be able to face the valley without resentment or guilt. (see Exodus 19) V:29-the fashion of his countenance was altered, a reflection of another light, but this was light, this glory was from within! Confront the Danger. Youve never seen something so beautiful and peaceful. Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. The realization that I could release control was like lifting bricks off my shoulders. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! 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 ). The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! My greatest insight from a week of mountain climbing came from the time spent at the bottom of the mountains. White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. How does a congregation go Yet, it seems that Peter actually does the opposite. 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. Yet the valley has become a symbol of rough times and depression.I dont believe this should be true. 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. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. God's benevolence stretches this description to the breaking point. And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! and try to imagine what it was like went Jesus showed them His glory up on that mountain. This was the glory that Jesus had with his father before the world began. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. 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. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. 1:18), so the believer does well to pay attention to the Words of the prophets (2 Pet. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. Yet over time we go back to normal life. -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. Mountain Top TV No monthly fee. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. We all need spiritual refreshing from the presence of the Lord; we need encouragement that can come only from being in the presence of Jesus. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). Thousands of people would say the answer is to stand on the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. 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. If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the idea of feeling miniscule. The problem .read more Now this isnt to say drop everything you are doing in life because it doesnt matter. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. 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. Learn a new word every day. 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? Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? 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.